Fantastic library for children. Definitely worth stopping by if you haven't been. Downstairs is…read moreentirely for kids: elevator access, large private bathrooms that could fit a stroller, and open on Sundays! We went to storytime several months ago, which requires you to get a ticket at the desk in advance. They are strict about event age requirements and do not let anyone in after the doors close on time, so plan accordingly. A great fit if your kids do well in a less distracting environment with more structure. We wish they had more dedicated parking, but there is usually public street parking available. The drive-by book return box is nice!

Mary R. Styles, huh?…read more Do yourself a favor, just remember it as MRSPL. For a mnemonic, try Mr. SPL -- that's an abbreviation-within of Special. Thank you, I'll be here all day /end chorus On a more serious note, I swung by here on Saturday afternoon, right after the FC Farmer's Market closes up shop on noon -- I was visiting here, actually my first time at the Market. Parking is always a test of the mettle for me. I knocked out parallel street parking for the Market so I decided to just stick with it, no questions asked. There might be library parking but I was none the wiser. Also some spots are 2-hrs only but I parked there for way over, and again didn't see any raised eyebrows so I figure that's just business as usual, so let's not dwell overmuch on that. Let's speak on the Library itself. It's a bit quaint but also modern. I spoke with a librarian and 'twas mentioned they had remodeled recently. I say more power to them. This spot has its own library card -- can you imagine that? Like way outside the law. Part of no county either. A roll-yourself a brand new card. I never heard of no library that had its own card before, and don't call me Shirley no how. Feet on the pedal though, that means any books you check out need to be returned only at this location hereabouts. Exactamente, capeesh? All in all, good day and visit here. I stayed too long ogling the different study rooms and areas, as well as the large shelves of books. Oh, and I checked out two books. Just don't write me up for that, ok? I'm just a lendee here. I promise I won't flout the law. But again, no one's the wiser, me foremost. Anyways, great banter. Watch out for the Farmers Market close by that apparently draws the spotlight. And remember Mr. SPL -- he's got his eyes squarely on you, so be silent while on the premises for goodness sake!

This library is very spacious and has so many different and flexible seating options for all ages!…read more They even have sound proof working pods! It smells nice in here and they have an expansive book selection. Nice study and meeting rooms. I especially love the chairs with desks on them - so comfortable and they make me productive! I definitely plan to work here more often.

Best library in the Tyson's area…read more There's ample parking and normally you can get a table or computer to work but on a weekday or weekend mornings but weekend afternoon to close is very busy. There's a quiet study room and phone booths as well. The staff here are all very nice and helpful.

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.

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.

Neat little library. It reminds me of the Reston Library for some reason; or one of those libraries…read moreI used to go to as a kid. I came around closing time from a nearby park, at almost 6, so everything was nearly pitch dark. Had time to check out study area and windows. It was pretty cool. Lot of meeting rooms and such areas. Reservations or first come first serve. Shared spaces, that kind of thing. I was chatting with a librarian in the lobby right before they closed up shop, so I was able to confirm a few things. What is it that they always say? That there's no such thing as a final goodbye. So indeed, this is not that. I'll surely be back once more, somewhere down the road. Hopefully I'll swing by when the sun is in full swing outdoors.

First visit to this library and all was going well until the older male staff member caught me…read moresnacking and approached me with and attitude and threatened to put me out. I said not a word to him during the entire encounter. He obviously has a power complex as well as some bias towards whatever he perceived me to be. No people skills whatsoever. People who work with the public should be professional enough to be courteous to all, at least initially and not allow their prejudices to cause them to inappropriately approach people. Courtesy and respect go a long way. The way he approached me could have caused an ugly scene if I had matched his energy.

This library absolutely hits!…read more Granted, I've never made it past the children's book section but that only means there is so much for me to explore. This library is a grand two levels and is open on Sundays which makes this a great way to spend a rainy day weekend. The librarians are SO friendly and their selection of new children's books and graphic novels is vast. My family and I are avid bookstore goers and library visitors but for some reason we always find new things to read here. They have several study rooms and conference rooms available. We had a Girl Scout meeting that involved a bunch of printing and research needs -- their online reservation system made it so easy to book. It's prime Fairfax City location makes this a great place to run a bunch of errands at once. I recommend grabbing a book and reading at the Layered cafe next door for the ultimate cozy day treat.

My favorite library tucked inside old town Fairfax. Theres plenty of parking in the garage with…read morecovered and uncovered parking accessed on university drive. It's clean and bright, and has great community events! My favorite section has to be the area where the books are themed. There's been spooky themed books for Halloween and now Fall in Love Blind Date with a book. It's in the young adult section near the high top tables. There's also a lot of seating downstairs and upstairs. I also adore all the plants they have on display. It's giving cozy vibes all around for all types of patrons.

AMBIANCE A beautiful place to work/study! I was looking for…read morea more focused work/study place outside of home or coffee shops that offered a quieter setting, and Fenwick Library was perfect. This was my first time visiting the campus, and it was absolutely beautiful. The windows on the floors are floor to ceiling and offer great scenery of the greenery on campus. The second floor is for collaboration, and the third floor is for quiet study. Group study rooms during the summertime are often empty but are only reservable by students/faculty. WI-FI Wi-fi (MASON for guests) is free upon creation of an account. Your account expires every two weeks, so if you visit often as a guest, it might be tedious to keep creating/renewing accounts. BATHROOMS The bathrooms are very clean and tidy with multiple locations on each floor. PARKING Parking garages on campus are $5/hr, so if you're an outsider visiting to study, it can get quite pricy. Bus routes are also available around campus to the rest of the county.

Love this library. Always go here to do work or hop on a zoom class. I always try to reserve a room…read moreand if I am having difficulties getting someone out of my room the staff is super professional and efficient in getting the reserved room at hand available.

This is a decent library with a decent selection of literature. It also has a decent amount of…read morespace to study/work and I like the variation in workspaces aligned along the perimeter. The high ceilings and windows make it special. Additionally they have regularly scheduled activities for individuals of all ages, passport services, a decent amount of computers with printing, puzzles, a children's area w/ books and toys and a newspaper/magazine room. Staff is generally pleasant. However, you will need NOISE CANCELLING headphones. There are children screaming and running around, unhoused individuals snoring, elderly people speaking loudly and inconsiderate people also making noise -often on the phone (whether on speakerphone, facetime or zoom calls). If you ask personnel to tell someone to be more quiet, they are prompt though. However, that individual will likely continue once they're gone. It also is problematic how despite this library having a childrens section towards the front, they host events in the back of the library where many are working quietly..... Reservable rooms and more considerate hosting would resolve these issues. I have noticed many of us are students/professionals working/studying intensely and more consideration in preserving a serene environment would make this place more appealing.

This is a wonderful, beautiful library right up against a busy main street (Duke Street) but the…read moreaccess point is through N Pickett Street and with a huge parking lot nestled among mature trees and plenty of shade. As of May 2024, is heavily under construction and restoration, and areas are clearly taped off. The library is still open for business. The interior is clean, bright lit, huge with tall ceilings, books stocked and neatly organized on shelves, areas for newsletters and flyers, clean bathrooms, a separate kids area, computers for Internet access, a lovely very green courtyard, comfortable arm chairs, and a lot of seating. Anyone who lives, works, owns property, owns a business or attends school in Alexandria is entitled to a free library card and allowed full use of the facilities, plus those who live in Arlington, Charles, District of Columbia, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fauquier, Frederick, Loudoun, Montgomery, Prince George's, and Prince William.

My one and only complaint... is I drove by this library almost daily... while driving to a farther…read moreaway library... it's hidden, and the sign is very easy to miss.... But since we discovered it, while looking at google maps for something else, we come here often. It's amazing. Good variety of books for sale at the front. Tons of computers available. Great selection of books, we always leave with a massive pile. We go online and get books often.

What a great community library! It is always bustling with activities from cultural presentations,…read moremusic shows, magic shows, book sales and more. I truly feel like I belong whenever I visit. On rainy days we like to grab coffee from a local coffee shop and play in the children's area. They have several different toys for in-house loan like legos, kitchen accessories, bricks, blocks, and cars. Even though my kids have the exact same toys at home, they can play quietly for hours here. I think they enjoy sharing with different kids and the new atmosphere. The patrons are friendly and their new book selection is on point! I am always able to pick up a few books off my wishlist whenever I visit. I am so glad this place exists!