Press enter or spacebar to select a desired language.
George W. Hawkes Downtown Library
Thursday: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
East Library and Recreation Center
Thursday: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Ron Wright Lake Arlington Branch Library
Thursday: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Northeast Branch Library
Thursday: Temporarily Closed
Southeast Branch Library
Thursday: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Southwest Branch Library
Thursday: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Woodland West Branch Library
Thursday: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Press enter or spacebar to select a desired language.

Adult Summer Reading Challenge

Summer Reading Challenge

The Arlington Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge asks you to Imagine Your Story! Join us all summer long for free, fun activities.
Summer Reading Club starts on June 1 and ends August 1. It's easy to participate, and you can earn free prizes while supplies last.

How to Participate

Need something to do this summer? We have 3 challenges every week this summer. If you do any of these each week, you can enter the drawing to win a themed gift pack. Create, read, and explore with us this summer!

Summer Reading Challenge Main Page

Week Nine: Award Winning

Award Winning

This week's challenge is to read a literary award-winning and then give a review. Let us know what you read, what award did it win, why you choose to read that novel, and would you recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library's Goodreads Discussion Page

Week Eight: Science Fiction

SciFi

This week's challenges is to read a Science Fiction book. Let us know what you read, why you choose your book and would you recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Libray's Goodreads Page.

Week Seven: Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction

This week's challenges is to read a historical fiction set before the 1900s then give a review. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read book, and if you would recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library Goodreads Page. stories

Week Six: Read a Mystery or Thriller

Mysteries

This week's challenge is the read a Mystery or a Thriller. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read that collection, and if you would recommend it to someone else and write a review on our Arlington Public Library Goodreads Page

Week Five: Read a book of Poems or Short Stories

Short Stories & Poems

This week's challenges is to read a book of poems or short stories then give a review. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read that collection, and if you would recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library Goodreads Page.

Week Four: Read a Middle Grade or Young Adult Novel

Middle Grade YA

This week's challenges is to read the book version of a movie you have seen and then give a review. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read that novel and would you recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library's Goodreads Page. 

Week Three: Read a Biography

Biographies

This week's challenges is to read a biography of someone you don't know a lot about and then give a review. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read that novel and would you recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library's Goodreads Discussion Page

Week One: Read a Graphic Novel

Dragon's Lair Theme SRC

This week's challenges is to read a Graphic Novel/Comic Book and then give a review. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read that novel and would you recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library's Goodreads Discussion Board.

Week Two: Read a Book to Movie Adaptation

This week's challenges is to read the book version of a movie you have seen and then give a review. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read that novel and would you recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library's Goodreads Discussion Page

Week Nine: Learn the Basics of Quilting

With this tutorial, you will learn the basics of quilting, what do you need to know, and what supplies you will need to get to start in the world of quilting.

Week Eight: Learn to Make Fairy Light Jars

Using various materials we will show you with this tutorial on how to design beautiful jars filled with fairy lights.

Fun fairy book list to read! PDF iconFairy Books.pdf

Week Seven: Paper Quilling Technique

Paper Quilling

We will be learning the paper quilling technique while creating a fun gnome design.

Quilling, officially known as paper filigree, makes new life and transforms flat paper and designs into 3D art forms of their very own with rolled, coiled, and shaped strips of paper that are often glued together on their own or onto a background. From recycled and simple to elaborate and complex, it is time to leap off the paper and get rolling!

This class will be virtual using the Zoom video and audio-conferencing platform. 

Please click here to register for this virtual class and we will send you access information for the Zoom meeting by email.  

Registration for virtual programs is not an automated process, so please do not wait until the last moment to register.

Week Six: Mosaic Painting

We invite you to paint with us! We will be painting an easy abstract painting using masking tape! Join us and put on your favorite music. This activity is perfect for you and your friends and family to do virtually! 

Week Five: Cross Stitching

Week Four: Photo Documentary

Please join us as awarding and NEA grant artist Sara Easter virtually displays here photo documentary of families experiencing homelessness.

Week Three: Mono-Printing

Week Two: Family Art Making Confetti

Week Nine: Performance Theater

Look back at the comedy of 100 years ago that can still make us laugh today.

Enjoy a script reading of Fourteen by Alice Gerstenberg performed by APL staff. This short comedic play is celebrating its centennial anniversary, 1920-2020.

Click Here to see where you can see other Broadway Style Performances

Week Eight: Gardening

Gardening

On July 23, 2020, at 6:00 p.m Learn ways to attract and provide a hab­itat for butterflies…and other animals that bring your landscape to life with activity. 

The class is being presented by Water University at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center – Dallas. The event will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Click here to register for this event. Registrants will receive the event attendance link thru email.

Here are some links to take virtual tours of gardens to inspire the gardener inside. 

https://parade.com/1028783/lindsaylowe/virtual-garden-tours/

https://www.gardensillustrated.com/gardens/gardens-to-visit/virtual-garden-tours-best/

Here are some Texas gardening resources

https://dcmga.com/north-texas-gardening/vegetable-gardening/planning-a-fall-vegetable-garden/

https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/browse/featured-solutions/gardening-landscaping/fall-vegetable-gardening-guide-for-texas/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNojxZXLhNo

Week Seven: Book Clubs

Book Clubs

APL’s Book Clubs Have Gone Virtual, And You’re Invited 

If you’re looking for your next book or want an excuse to chat with other book lovers, try a virtual book club! Arlington Public Library hosts six book clubs and all of them are currently meeting virtually. Every book club meets monthly to discuss a chosen book and socialize with fellow book lovers. 

Browse this list of the library’s book clubs to find one that can fit your schedule. Click on the title for a book club to see the event on the library calendar and learn more and see a list of upcoming titles for the club. Upcoming titles are in the library’s collection and may be available as print books, audiobooks, eBooks or eAudiobooks. Patrons can pick up requested physical items by visiting a library branch and also thru Curbside Pickup. 

Northeast Bookworms 

Meets on the second Tuesday of the month, 6:45 p.m. 

Southwest Morning Reading Group 

Meets on the second Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m. 

Good Grounds for Books 

Meets on the third Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m. 

* This is a choose your own book discussion group, so no required reading! But a love for reading and talking about books (and a #2 pencil) is recommended. 

Night Out Book Club 

Meets on the third Thursday of the month, 7 p.m. 

*This book club normally meets outside the library at various Arlington social destinations. The group is currently meeting virtually only. 

Southwest Spine Crackers 

Meets on the third Thursday of the month, 6:45 p.m. 

Club de Lectura en Español 

Meets on the last Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m. 

*This book club is for Spanish and bilingual speakers.

Week Six: Spelling and Mixology

Virtual Buzze Spelling Bee

Click Here to Register for the Virtual Buzzed Spelling Bee

Watch Estee of Hooligans Pub Make Her Favorite Summer Drink which is a twist on a Classic 

Do you want to learn to mix drinks like a professional? Check out these great resources!

Mixology Book List

Week Five: Travel Texas

Travel Texas and Beyond 

The weather is heating up and summer is going strong. If you’ve got the wandering spirit, Arlington Public Library is here to help you stay cool this season and travel the wide expanse of Texas, virtually. 

Check out these awesome destinations from across our great state, minus the travel time and just a click away. And as a bonus, explore a few natural wonders from around the world. 

Texas State Aquarium’s Aquavision 

fish image

 

The Texas State Aquarium posts information-packed videos all about the underwater creatures living at the aquarium. 

San Antonio River Walk Virtual Tour 

river and boat image

Indulge in a little sightseeing with a virtual trip thru San Antonio’s famous River Walk

Virtual Tour of The Alamo 

Step back in time and learn about the state’s rich history with a virtual tour of The Alamo

The Alamo - View the Digital Battlefield 

Space Center Houston Exhibits and Experiences 

Space Center Houston has awe-inspiring images and video about the history of space travel and what could be in store for the future. Or try the Space Center Houston free app for an interactive, mobile experience. 

Virtual Big Bend National Park 

Take in the breathtaking vistas of Big Bend National Park courtesy of photographer David Locke. 

South Padre Island Drone Footage 

Have a beach day with aerial footage of South Padre Island

Want more Texas? Try this directory of Texas Museums and Zoos offering Virtual Tours. 

Bonus! Texas has enough travel destinations for a lifetime. But why stop here? Broaden your horizons even further and explore a few natural wonders from around the world. 

Take a Virtual Hike Thru the Grand Canyon in Arizona 

Dive In and Virtually Experience the Great Barrier Reef Off the Coast of Queensland, Australia 

Virtually Explore the Largest Cave in the World: Son Doong in Vietnam 

Virtually Explore the Largest Cave in the World: Son Doong in Vietnam image

Week Four: Mango Languages

Mango offers access to 60 foreign language courses and 17 English courses taught completely in the user's native language. In addition to traditional language courses, access to a variety of specialty mini-courses, like learning how to talk like a Pirate. Click the photo to learn more.

 

Pirate Skulls

Week Three: Fantasy

Come enjoy our Virtual Fantasy Trivia Night! Click here to register

Virtual Trivia Night_ Fantasy Fics and Flicks

Explore the Fantastical, From Cover to Cover

Whether you want to jump into the rich world-building of High Fantasy, the fun of magic in the real world from Low Fantasy, or just a hint of the mystical from Magical Realism, Arlington Public Library has got book recs for you!

(Don’t know where to start? Just click on the headings for each subgenre to learn more about this type of fantasy literature.) Click here to download this list. 

High Fantasy: A Beginner’s Guide to the Genre

High Fantasy Classics

Low Fantasy: Your Guide to the Subgenre

Low Fantasy Classics

Magical Realism: Heavy on the Real, Easy on the Magic

Magical Realism Classics

Week Two: ArlingCon

ArlingCon 2020 cover

Join us all week for exciting virtual workshops leading up to our first ever Virtual ArlingCon. Click here for the ArlingCon Webpage

Click the Picture for a PDF of Suggested Books!

book list arlingcon 2

Week One: Genealogy

A virtual presentation of Arlington in World War II: Looking Back after 75 Years on the Arlington Public Library's Facebook Page 

Here is a crafted reading list from our collection created by Genealogy and Local History Librarian, Mark. FileSRC - WWII Movie & book list - APL Items.docx

Northeast Branch Updates:
Starting Monday, December 4, 2023, the Northeast Branch will be temporarily closed for HVAC renovations. Click here for more information.