The Arlington Public Library has reached the historic milestone of serving the community for 100 years! We are hosting our Centennial Celebration over 10 weeks, each week representing each decade of service. On March 23, 1923, the first library opened in Arlington for the city’s 3,700 residents. All Arlington residents are invited to celebrate this milestone with us by enjoying our centennial-themed programs.
September
Centennial Community Art Project
Whole Month of September at All Locations
During the month of September, the community is invited to create miniature paintings inspired by the prompt: "What does community mean to you?" Pick up a tiny canvas from any Arlington Public Library location and return your finished piece of art by Sept. 30.
Centennial Tiny Art for Adults
Sundays in September, 2023, 3 - 5 p.m., at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library
During the month of September, adults are invited to this drop-in art session to create miniature paintings inspired by the prompt: "What does community mean to you?" These tiny works of art will be put on display during the Centennial Gala in November.
Wednesdays in September, 2023, 4 - 7 p.m., at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library
During the month of September, teens are invited to stop by the Young Adult area of the Downtown Library every Wednesday 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. to create miniature paintings inspired by the prompt: "What does community mean to you?" These tiny works of art will be put on display during the Centennial Gala in November.
This program is intended for ages 13-17, or students in 7th through 12th grade.
Saturday, September 23, 2023, 10:30 a.m. – Noon, at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library
Celebrate the Arlington Public Library's Centennial by making your very own vision board! Dream big and envision what your future will look like.
This program is intended for students ages 13 - 18. It will be limited to the first ten participants who arrive.
Homeschool Monday & Thursday - Vintage Toys
Monday, September 25, 2023, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m., at the Southwest Library
Thursday, September 28, 2023, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library
Calling all homeschoolers! Homeschool Monday is an opportunity to make new friends and learn something new. We focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) activities.
What We Are Learning: Focus, Following Directions, Science and Math Skills
October
Monday, October 2, 2023, 7 – 8 p.m., at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library
Get help with our exciting new Retro Technology Lab scanning family photos, digitizing videos, setting up cloud storage, etc. — on a first-come first served basis!
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 4 – 5:30 p.m., at the Ron Wright Lake Arlington Library
Build something tall, wide or anything you can dream of using Lego blocks! Join us after school for fun, imagination, and creativity. Spaces are limited. First come, first serve. Blocks will need to be returned when finished.
This is a come and go program for ages 5-11.
Friday, October 13, 2023, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m., at the Southeast Library
Join our fabulous library staff to sing, read and wiggle during storytime at the Southeast Branch Library. This storytime is geared for ages 2-5. We will read books, sing songs, and have an activity after the program each week.
Saturday, October 14, 2023, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library
Come one, come all to the Arlington Public Library's Centennial Celebration, Party in the Plaza! We will be hosting an event full of fun and games for all ages. You won't want to miss out on this special centennial event.
This event is free and open to the public. No registration required.
Ron Wright Lake Arlington Library Open House
Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at the Ron Wright Lake Arlington Library
Thursday, October 19, 2023, at the Southeast Library
We will have an activity available for school-age children during program hours, every other Thursday. Activities will range from binary code painting, making a marble maze, building a catapult, designing your own board game, and more! These activities are designed for children age 5 and up with some parent help.
Southeast Library Open House
Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at the Southeast Library
Southwest Library Open House
Friday, October 27, 2023, at the Southwest Library
November
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 6 – 8 p.m., at Inclusion Coffee
Join us in celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Arlington Public Library with a Roaring 1920s themed evening, complete with live music, silent auction, food, and friends. This fundraising event, hosted by the Friends and Foundation of the Arlington Public Library, will help to ensure that our Arlington Public Libraries are here for generations to come!
Themed attire or party wear is encouraged, but not required.
Friday, November 10, 2023, at the Southeast Library
Join our fabulous library staff to sing, read and wiggle during storytime at the Southeast Branch Library. This storytime is geared for ages 2-5. We will read books, sing songs, and have an activity after the program each week.
Centennial Movie Screening of Metropolis
Friday, November 10, 2023, 6 – 8 p.m. at the City Council Chambers across from the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library
Celebrate 100 with a screening of the silent film Metropolis. This 1927 movie is considered a masterpiece.
Saturday, November 11, 2023, 4 - 5 p.m. at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library
For a town of only a few thousand residents in the 1940s, Arlington sent a staggering number of young people to wage war against the Axis forces. Some came home. Many did not...
Our speaker, Wanda Marshall, knew many of those soldiers, sailors, and airmen personally and spent many years faithfully collecting their stories, pictures, and memorabilia to ensure that those local heroes would never be forgotten.