The Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library is launching a four-week cultural exchange program that will culminate in a virtual meeting between Alexandria students and their counterparts in Seoul, South Korea.
“Stories without Borders: Hello, Seoul!” begins Monday at 6 p.m. at the library’s Story Room and runs through Nov. 10. The program, designed for students in grades 3-5, features weekly sessions exploring Korean culture through stories, crafts, and games.
Book lovers of all ages can get a chance to find some deals at two upcoming used book sales from the Alexandria libraries.
The first sale goes from Thursday, Sept. 25, to Sunday, Sept. 28, at the James M. Duncan Library (2501 Commonwealth Avenue) in Del Ray. Books will be priced at $4 for hardcovers and $2 for paperbacks, unless otherwise marked. Puzzles and games will also be on sale.
A new traveling exhibit chronicling 400 years of struggle for Black equality in the U.S. will open in Alexandria on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
The Kate Waller Branch Library (717 Queen Street) will host Determined: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equity Exhibit from Sept. 24 until Oct. 25 (Saturday). The traveling exhibit from the Virginia Museum of History and Culture highlights the stories of Black Virginians who fought against injustice. Alexandria history makers are included in the exhibit, and the opening on Sept. 24 will be hosted by Alexandria Library Director Rose Dawson and feature a presentation from genealogist Char McCargo Bah on 15 African Americans “whose lives and legacies shaped the city’s journey toward equality,” according to Alexandria Library.
This coming Monday, September 1, is Labor Day and a number of city government offices and facilities will be closed.
Trash collection will move to Tuesday for the holiday, parking enforcement at metered spaces will be lifted, and it will be your last chance to enjoy public pools. See a full listing of what’s open and closed below.
The Alexandria Library will host its third annual Black Family Reunion on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library in Old Town, continuing an award-winning event designed to preserve African American history in the city.
The free event, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 717 Queen Street, encourages African American families to bring documents and images to be scanned and added to the library’s Local History/Special Collections archive.
Alexandria Library Director Rose T. Dawson received the prestigious Trailblazers Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association at the organization’s annual conference in Philadelphia last month.
The award represents the Black Caucus of the American Library Association’s highest honor, presented every five years to recognize pioneering contributions that have “blazed a trail” in the library profession. Dawson became the first black director of the Alexandria Library when she took the position in 2008.
The Alexandria Library will unveil an upgraded online catalog system on August 19, which will require all library branches to close for the day as staff migrate to the new platform.
The new integrated library system, provided by Innovative Clarivate, promises to enhance the user experience for both patrons and staff while making the library’s collection of books, audiobooks, DVDs, and other materials easier to discover and access.
The Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia is bringing a series of chamber music performances to the Charles E. Beatley Central Library (5005 Duke Street) this June. The concerts will feature a mix of classical, contemporary, and movie music.
The series features four unique performances throughout the month, each highlighting a distinct musical style and instrumental group.
Facing billions in federal health care cuts in Virginia, Alexandria Congressman Don Beyer (D-8) is joining Virginia House Majority Leader Charniele Herring (D-4) and State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39) next week for three in-person panel discussions across Virginia.
The $715 billion in federal health care cuts would impact Medicaid and Planned Parenthood. The trio of Northern Virginia legislators will hold their first panel at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 2, at the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St, Alexandria). The trio will then conduct similar panels later in the day in Norfolk and Richmond.
Dr. La’Tonya Rease Miles, an Alexandria native and first-generation college graduate, will return to her hometown on May 21 for a book signing and discussion at the James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library.
The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Beth Patridge Meeting Room. Miles will share insights from her memoir, “Smart Girl,” and discuss her experience as a first-generation college student.
Looking for something fun to do in Alexandria this weekend? This weekend is packed with something for everyone, from unique workshops and poetry readings to farmers’ markets and Super Bowl watch parties. Of course, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal during the final weekend of Alexandria Restaurant Week!
Check out the complete list of events below, and if you attend something you found here, be sure to let the venue know you read about it on ALXnow!
