Really impressed with this library! It's a huge space with two floors and tons of tables so there's…read moreplenty of room to study/work or read. The second floor was especially quiet and separately they had a quiet room. They have a really extensive book selection, and there are also rooms you can rent if you need a private space. Everything was very clean and well-maintained, including the bathrooms. They have a parking lot with free parking for up to 3 hours and paid EV charging stations, and the library is right next to pickleball/tennis courts, which is a nice bonus. I didn't really interact with the staff much during my visit, but they seemed friendly from what I could tell. Overall, a really nice library and definitely a good spot for studying, working, or spending a few quiet hours.

Book selection - Very small graphic novel collection, only two rows and missing key series like…read moreOutcast. Decent fiction collection but very limited nonfiction. Amenities - None of the outlets for the desks work, and the molding on them prevents most stuff being plugged in anyway. I had to crawl under the table and remove the desk plus and use the floor plugs directly. Setting - Terrible, the staff do nothing to enforce a good library setting conducive to reading and studying. It's always incredibly loud, lots of screaming kids, and just obnoxious people talking full volume, laughing out loud, or big meeting groups humming around. They let homeless people sleep and malinger around all over the place and it STINKS. Cleanliness - Disgusting, the floors and surfaces are always very dirty and the bathrooms are third world. Shit smeared everywhere, USED TP all over the place, broken soap dispensers off the walls never replaced, never any paper towels, etc. I also witnessed a homeless guy doing drugs off the sink. Comfort - Need more comfy seating. Only a few soft seats and none with feet support or reclining. Most of the chairs are very hard and the desks/tables are set too low. Staff - Seems overall to be friendly but very aloof.

I don't know why it took me so long to get a library card, but the sign up process was super easy!…read moreYou just download the app on your phone, enter personal information, and have to verify your information in person within 30 days of signing up with an ID. In the mean time, you can browse the extensive catalog, which is shared among the nine libraries across Arlington. I was able to pick up the book I wanted to read within 3 business days of signing up! I'm super excited to discover more books through the library.

Wow - what a very pleasant experience! I haven't been to a public library in years and today, I was…read morein and out in five minutes! I got a library card and checked a book out. Everything was super efficient and the staff member I worked with was very helpful. And three weeks for a book is so generous! Can't wait to come back.

This is a great library right in the heart of Westover. Very clean and very bustling, even on…read moreweekday afternoons, especially in the summer. Super family friendly without being very noisy. (I often see elementary and middle school aged kids here, whereas the Ballston branch skews slightly younger.) It's close to a ton of nice restaurants and shops, as well as a post office. The neighborhood is extremely walkable, so it's a great place to spend an afternoon. I'm a big fan of the Arlington public library system and its holdings. It's always a good day to stop by and support your local library!

Neat little library. I am a fan of the aesthetics and design…read more If memory recalls, I stopped by here briefly on my way back, coming from an ice cream spot in Arlington. I liked the layout of the library, but the only thing that throws me off that "urban" vibe I get, same as from the City of Fairfax library. I can't put my finger on it. I would have liked to see more greeneries and windows with pleasing views I guess. Overall, cool spot. I like that it has study areas and computer stations. Not too shabby at all.

The smallest branch in the Arlington system, but it's still good. If Central Library's like a…read moregiant tour bus filled with nerdy gloriousness, then Glencarlyn's more of a clown car. Tiny but packed with some great finds. If you have children/teens or just have a nostalgic fondness for hardcover Nancy Drews and Hardy Boys, Encyclopedia Brown's solve it yourself mysteries, every single Princess Diaries ever penned, or Dr. Seuss's, this branch is definitely worth a browse. The adult fiction section is limited, but they have an excellent and well stocked children's books section and a not too shabby YA section, too. There's even some carpeted steps by the windows for sitting and reading with your kids, siblings, and baby sittees. An added bonus is that the back garden is maintained by the Master Gardeners of northern VA. At this time of year it's a lovely place to walk around and admire the various plants and flowers or to sit on a bench with a good book.

This is my favorite branch of the Arlington County Library. It's so quaint. It just sits on its…read morelittle side street in the sleepy neighborhood of Glencarlyn, surprising unsuspecting new patrons who enter it to find a book they ordered, expecting a branch library in one of the richest counties in the country and not a one room schoolhouse with books (a good thing...five stars!). Even the walk from my house is fun, along the trails in Glencarlyn Park and the Long Branch Nature Center. The selection is small, because the branch is small, but the last time I went in I left with two books just from browsing. That's the sign of a good library.

I attended an outstanding Washing D.C. African American genaeology event. I was excited to check…read moreout a book by a local author that has been on my list. Not only did they have it but I was allowed to take it as part of their regular programming of giving away books from local authors I believe.

I love old worldly charm libraries. This is one of them. My friend Shazia and I got a bit lost…read moretrying to find Dumbarton Oaks and decided to step inside here. In us being lost, we found this gem. If I lived in DC this would be my go to library. The librarians are nice and helpful. I have seen other libraries where they do not even want to help you try to find a book. Here they were giving us directions plus providing us information of this library. I really like the way the library is set up. It would be a good place to read, research and study etc. They have cute stairs to lead to the second floor however we didn't get to go there. They only have parallel street parking however, being two hours people were moving their cars etc and we were able to find parking for it being a Saturday. If you are looking for a good place to read or just do your work in peace, this is the place.~

A lovely little local library branch! Conveniently located in Virginia Highlands Park, there is a…read morefree parking lot right outside. Also, this library is right by a fenced in playground and a sprayground that is super fun in the summer. A one stop shop! There is a kids section here with some toys for the kids to play and plenty of books. Also, they have crayons and paper available and several kid size tables and even a tiny couch- very cute. There is one designated kids computer as well with headphones! Ms. Karen does the children's programming and hosts a great story time on Thursday mornings from 10:30-11. If you have a little one you should check it out! Stories and songs for kids. Best for the preschool and under crowd. The librarians here are all kind and very helpful. Stop by the front desk for a stamp on your kid's hand! Don't forget about summer reading too. There is a bathroom located in the lobby as well as a vending machine. Highly recommend you check out the Aurora Hills Library if you are in town!

This library closed in March 2020 and never reopened. As of January 2021, there's still been no…read morepublic discussion of reopening it in the future, and the county library system hasn't responded to any of the people in the the local community about when or whether it might reopen someday. The only emails we've received from the county library director have been about her favorite Christmas songs and her pet political causes, so she doesn't seem to know or care that people in the community want access to books. The hours for this closed location should be removed because anyone showing up and expecting to use a library will be disappointed. It's just an abandoned building where the county keeps a large container to drop off glass for recycling. (Arlington discontinued curbside recycling pickup of glass in April 2019, so the abandoned library is being used as one of the dropoff sites. Recyclable glass of any color can be dropped off 24/7 in the dumpster-sized bin.)

Cute little library, great for kids! I think this is one of the smallest libraries I have ever been…read moretoo, but my kids had a great time during their STEAM class. They have a variety of toys to play with for different ages and interests. The children area is nicely decorated and welcoming. They had a nice selection of kid books but my kids were definitely more interested in the variety of toys. Lots of board games, toys and even American girl dolls to check out. Street parking or parking garage nearby.

More of a sleeping and homeless encampment than library. Would suggest anything other closer…read morelocation if you are trying to get work done

I go to this branch of the library once or twice a week, since I am an avid reader. I usually put a…read morelot of books on hold and I feel that they get to the branch fairly quickly. The hold shelf is also well organized. The library has a good selection of books for its size and I think the new releases shelves are especially well curated. The staff is very nice and informed me of options I had for replacement recently when I lost a book on a Metro bus. I don't particularly like studying at this branch, because I don't find the ambience, chairs, and tables particularly comfortable. This building is particularly dated and doesn't really have any warmth. I've read that there have been attempts to move this branch elsewhere or renovate, but none of those plans went through. I do think this is a great place to go for studying if you don't want to shell out money for a coffee at Starbucks and want to stay near the Pike, but I prefer the ambience at the Central Library for studying.

Great library and friendly librarians. I like going to check my books out with the librarians but…read morethey do have a self-service checkout. If you're looking for a book that they don't have at their branch you can request it from a different branch and within a few days you can pick it up. Putting a book on hold is super easy and hasslefree. When your book is ready you'll receive an email pick it up at the branch you requested to pick it up. At the Columbia Pike branch the books on hold are located against the wall adjacent to the entrance to the library. They'll have a slip of paper with your name printed on it. The books are lined up alphabetically so it's easy to find. I'm here a lot because of grad school work. There are plenty of tables where you can work but on the first floor some tables are restricted for young children and their caretakers. Those tables have signs on them. Best of all I'm glad I can take my lap top and use their free wifi. I don't have to wait to use the computer because I have my own. Going to the library helps me carve out a time to study in an atmosphere conducive to studying. Oh and if you have children in the fifth grade and younger sign them up for the summer reading program!

I like the book carousels in the front. I usually browse and get a great deal…read more I also like the corner with local art to peruse. This is another place I donate books, magazines and puzzles.

I went to the library to use the sewing room at the main branch. I thought my name would still be…read morein the system. I moved to VA from the West Coast; I was at the library for a Toast Masters meeting event. I received a library card at that time. I could not remember how to thread a machine it's been years they gave me the step-by-step information they saw me struggling, because they could not find my card one girl behaved as though I had committed a crime for not having a library card the other was helpful they stood around talking doing nothing while they watched me struggle. I don't know if it's the generation, racism or my high expectation for human kindness. I left without sewing a seam a small tear in my kimono. I came home sewed it by hand and purchased a machine on Amazon so I can teach myself once again. That experienced made me realized I have little patience for superior attitudes and a reminder in my daily activities to be kinder whenever possible it cost us nothing you don't need a card or help just the willingness to be a kind human being.

The Library of Congress was definitely worth the stop! Admission is free, but you do need a…read moretimed-entry ticket, like most places in DC. We arrived about 20 minutes before opening, which I would highly recommend, because the security line got long fast. We were able to go inside before many got in and had beautiful views without crowding. The inside is absolutely beautiful. Several displays explain the paintings and architecture which was really interesting to read about. We were also able to see the original rough draft of the Declaration of Independence. It will only be on display for three months so this was really neat we were here for that. Definitely take your time and look around instead of just walking through. There is so much detail everywhere you look.

A gem of a historical venue that you must check out. The library is impressive, the halls are…read moremassive and marble. But the most important thing to do is bring your ID and get your very own library card for the Library of Congress. It only takes a few minutes and an online form. There is little waiting and you get the card right then and there. We live on Capitol Hill and always bring our friends and family to this venue and they leave with a fun souvenir. The entire experience is free. One of the more impressive displays is the Gutenberg Bible just outside of the rotunda. It is complete and printed on vellum. There are only 3 of these on the planet in existence. There are only 49 total Gutenberg Bibles in existence, 12 of them were printed on vellum (which is animal skin and the most costly and most durable material from the era). And, as I mentioned, there are only 3 Gutenberg Bibles that are fully in tact and printed on vellum. Go see it. It's a crucial part of history. The other two are in The British Library (London, UK) and The Bibliothèque Nationale de France (Paris, France).