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KIDS

EVENTS & STORY TIMES
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The Order Of The Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) | Week #2 - The Zine of Secret Abilities
Thu, Oct 02, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.
1000 Books Story Time - A Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, Oct 02, 11:00am - 11:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, Oct 02, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.
Preschool Storytime
Thu, Oct 02, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.
TCG Library League
Thu, Oct 02, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Come learn and play Magic: The Gathering or Pokemon TCG!
Coding Game Night - ages 6-12 - Hands-on fun in programming, robotics, and electronics!
Thu, Oct 02, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots -- and check out some of our coding books for kids! Ages 6-12.
The Order Of The Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) | Week #2 - The Zine of Secret Abilities
Fri, Oct 03, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.
Lego Competition
Fri, Oct 03, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Bring your best building brains!
Fun Friday! - Viernes de diversión
Fri, Oct 03, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Have fun on Fridays after school building, making, playing word bingo, and winning prizes! Grades K-5.
The Order Of The Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) | Week #2 - The Zine of Secret Abilities
Sat, Oct 04, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.
Borrow a Board Game
Sat, Oct 04, 10:00am - 4:45pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Use the library's board and card games while hanging out in the youth services area!
Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Sat, Oct 04, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, crafts, face painting and food! The fiesta will take place outside in Beatley Central Library's beautiful Reading Garden. All ages.
Author Event: Abby Hanlon & Liz Garton Scanlon
Sat, Oct 04, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Auditorium, Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center - 1108 Jefferson St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Meet the authors that brought you your favorite rascals, Dory Fantasmagory and Bibsy Cross, in conversation at the Nannie J. Lee Rec Center. CODE: LIBRARYRegister
The Order Of The Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) | Week #2 - The Zine of Secret Abilities
Sun, Oct 05, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.
Preschool STEAM Sundays
Sun, Oct 05, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Bring your preschooler to the Duncan Library on Sunday afternoons to explore STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)! This is a drop-in event. Recommended ages 3-6
The Order Of The Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) | Week #3 - The Zine of Answers
Mon, Oct 06, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Mon, Oct 06, 11:00am - 11:30am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
The Order Of The Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) | Week #3 - The Zine of Answers
Tue, Oct 07, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.
Family Storytime - Martes de niños
Tue, Oct 07, 10:15am - 11:15am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for a fun-filled hour of stories, music, and movement for ages 0-5!
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, Oct 07, 10:30am - 10:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
This Hispanic Heritage Month, start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Oct 07, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, Oct 07, 11:00am - 11:45am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
Baby and Toddler Play Date
Tue, Oct 07, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for a special uninterrupted playtime with your child and meet other caregivers. Discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand; toys and resources will be divided up by age (ages 0-3).
Bilingual Storytime - Cuentacuentos Bilingüe
Tue, Oct 07, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
A storytime in English and Spanish. un cuentacuentos en inglés y español.
Tuesday We Play (ages 5-12) - Martes de juegos (De 5 a 12 años)
Tue, Oct 07, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Build with Lego, make art, play games, and more! Ages 5-12. Kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Order Of The Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) | Week #3 - The Zine of Answers
Wed, Oct 08, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.
Whimsical Wednesdays
Wed, Oct 08, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
New story time, same story tellers. Come join Ms. Venetta and Mr. Josstin for engaging stories that are worth gathering for. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5.
1s and 2s Time - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Oct 08, 10:30am - 11:05am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Oct 08, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Just for babies ages 0-12 months. Sólo para bebés de 0 a 12 meses.
Whimsical Wednesdays
Wed, Oct 08, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
New story time, same story tellers. Come join Ms. Venetta and Mr. Josstin for engaging stories that are worth gathering for. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5.
1s and 2s Time - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Oct 08, 11:30am - 12:05pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
Knit Nite! - A knitting club for kids ages 8-18.
Wed, Oct 08, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Learn to knit under the guidance of experienced knitters. All supplies will be provided. Ages 8-18.
The Order Of The Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) | Week #3 - The Zine of Answers
Thu, Oct 09, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.
1000 Books Story Time - A Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, Oct 09, 11:00am - 11:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, Oct 09, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.
Preschool Storytime
Thu, Oct 09, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Periodicals Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Coding Game Night - ages 6-12 - Hands-on fun in programming, robotics, and electronics!
Thu, Oct 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots -- and check out some of our coding books for kids! Ages 6-12.
See all events

 

DIGITAL FUN

 

Room to Read Comics Plus children

 


 

READING LISTS


Here's a sampling of great books from our collection. Don't limit yourself to these -- we have many more that you're sure to love!

Any staff member at the children's desk is happy to make recommendations!

Babies & Toddlers

Preschoolers

K-3rd Grades

4th-6th Grades

6th-8th Grades

Don't forget to check out our Early Literacy Guide for more resources!

 

PARENTS' CORNER

Looking for books on toilet training, bullying or getting your baby to sleep through the night?
The library's got a book for you! 

 


Grief


Potty Training


Feelings


Divorce

 

Last updated: June 2025