Arlington Public Library: Shirlington Branch

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

Where do I go when I need to get away without going away? To that sweet, quiet oasis called the Shirlington Library. Oh, how I love thee.
I have been coming here since it opened up in 2007. It’s my *go to* place whenever I’m in the area for quiet reading or just searching the internet. There is limited street parking, but there are plenty, and I mean plenty, of parking spots in the adjoining garages.
Although it can get very busy depending what time of day or what day of the week, it has dozens of places to sit down or silently work. Because it is a public library, a fellow public member seems to want some kind of attention with an occasional burst of *enthusiasm* (READ: complaints or talk on their cell phones loudly or a cute child in distressed voice).
Do librarians ever shush patrons with quiet eyeball shaming anymore? Just be certain to bring earphones. You will thank me later.
The staff, in my experience, are informative and are very helpful. The place have local artists, amateur, semi-​pro, or professional display their art pieces on walls near the entrances. Some of it can be quite good. They offer seasonal or weekly programs for family/​kids, quiet room hours, and educational entertainment. One night I seem to recall some kind of dancing performance in the meeting room. That was some kind of meet up, eh? Their kids and YA sections are great too. Also, the DVD selection is quite large and varied, and I love that.
Bring sanitizer or wipes if you’re going to use the public PCs. Not frequently, but it happens — I find dirt or leftover food crumbs at the PC stations. Me? I would rather bring my laptop/​mobile device and sit at a separate table or at a comfy sofa chair… with my favorite coffee drink in hand.
Other reasons why I love it? Because it is close to nearby restaurants, coffee houses, dessert places, & a supermarket. So I have plenty of places to choose for study/​reading breaks. Another reason is people watching. I can work outside at a table or I can sit near a window. Such a great neighborhood library.
There are greater selections of books, magazines, media, etc in other close-​by libraries in Arlington or elsewhere, but the harmonious atmosphere is just great (when someone isn’t making too much noise).

I used to live in Shirlington and am an avid reader, so I visited this library about every other day. It’s in a central location in downtown Shirlington and is clean and has a fountain in front and benches where readers can sit. It also offers different events in the evenings, but I never partook in those.
The library itself is pretty small, but you have the option of checking out books from any library in the Arlington network, so all you have to do is search in the catalogue online to have them delivered right to this one. The shelf for loans is right in front of the door so it takes 30 seconds to grab them and check out.
And I know this is a library, but as a note, the DVD selection is great.

The location is great. The children, during children’s hour, are beyond loud. Guess I’ll choose a different time to come to the library and do some work.
Spacious, lots of computers and work space. I appreciated it. But, don’t sit by the large meeting room.
Libraries just aren’t quiet anymore. Lmao

This is a wonderful, little library. Very clean with a large children’s book section. Arlington Public Library usually has a larger selection new of print books available vs digital so I usually find the book I want online and easily pick it up from the Hold Section at the front of the library when available. I don’t really get the self checkout bit though. Everything is self checkout, but it’s located at a counter where they have people sitting behind. It’s all a little confusing.

This location of Arlington library is wonderful. Even there limited library book on hand. All new computer limited tables. Large reading room. Table lining alone both sit under the table. Free wifi. Fast and friendly customer service.
local restaurants are great. right by a grocery store. There so many out door table and movie theater a block away.
There a local hub in metro bus stop. Hotel and more. Allot of parking round the library. This is a great place for a library time.

Though this library offers great location and public wifi, it does not offer the quite atmosphere of a typical library. Parents let their kids run around and make SO MUCH NOISE that it is impossible to focus on your material. What angered me even more is that I took a call on my cell phone and was talking a soft tone of voice and the guy came over and told me to get off the phone as if I was causing such great disturbance. I wished he would say that to the parents of these kids. Its a library after all, its supposed to be quite. This doesn’t make sense to me at all.

Pros:
+ Next to a shopping center with a grocery store (Harris Tetter) and lots of restaurants and other shops
+ Free parking garage right next door
+ Open space, lots of computers inside, cozy atmosphere
+ Easy self Check out system
+ Friendly staff
Cons:
–The biggest con for me is that I looked up 2 books ahead of time and the catalogue system said they’re both available in the library. However, when I got there, both books were actually missing (I double checked with the staff). The most frustrating thing is thinking your things are there and they are not. The computer system still says the books are available…
–The selection of books is not that big. I’d say it’s a medium sized library with a medium selection. Good for getting a particular book if the system says it has it (or not, in my case), but not good for browsing and picking up the hottest new book or something like that.

I love the entire Arlington Public Library system. This branch is 3 blocks from my house. Thumbs up. Small collection but the intra-​system loan program is fast and efficient, negating this one deficiency.

I came here with questions regarding my library card. The one star is only for the lady who I dealt with. I didn’t have time to check out the place.
The lady who helped me was so rude! As soon as I came up to her, I got this non friendly vibe from her. I didn’t get her name because she had it covered (very convenient), but it was an older lady.
As I asked her questions about my card, she had this attitude like I came to the wrong desk, so I asked her if I needed to go upstairs or something she huffed and said no, there is not a library upstairs. Whatever.
My friend than came to me and asked me where was the bathrooms I didn’t know, so I asked the lady and the first time she either ignored or didn’t hear me.
The second time she said very rudely and loud, «can’t you let me finish this first!!”(she was putting my info in the computer). My friend and I were shocked at the way she said it, keep in mind I am not a sensitive person-​I almost always let things roll off my shoulders.
But I couldn’t stand the way she was talking to me.
I asked my friend if she can hold it, and then the lady told me.
When she was done, I just left. But I do plan on coming back and checking out the library.
I can’t let one grumpy lady not make me come back, lol!

The location of this branch is fantastic — right next door to a supermarket, near theaters and restaurants — making browsing for books easy to integrate into an errand run or afternoon out. Their hours are also excellent — not even my local coffeeshop stays open until 9pm on Sundays!
Unfortunately, I no longer check books out here due to what is probably a system-​wide Arlington library issue: their pre-​overdue notification system is simply unreliable. As others have reported, it fails to send email notifications, and also fails to record the omission. As someone who is typically reading multiple books from multiple libraries at any given time, I am highly reliant on these automated notices; after accruing 50-​cent fines on two occasions, I found it less troublesome to browse in Shirlington when I’m in the area, but check out any interesting titles from other local libraries with more reliable notification systems.

My family and I visit at least twice a week. Great selection of kids books, DVD’s and music. Friendly and helpful staff, and overall great atmosphere.

Oh Shirlington Library. Like Arlington, you are a paradox — sleek and corporate, yet old fashioned and civic minded (because you are a library). This library feels very modern. It is in the Shirlington Village shopping complex/​neighborhood, so the surroundings are spectacular. And there’s free parking in the garage. What more could you want?

I live in Fairfax but make the 20-​mile trek to Arlington once a week to use the Shirlington library. Great DVD and music collection, easy checkout, user-​friendly website to make hold or renewal requests. .. I have nothing but praise for this library!

After I found a parking space on the street and paid, I got into this library, took care of an issue with my library card, checked out 7 DVDs (randomly chosen in quite a hurry) and got out with negative 2 minutes to spare! I’m a fan of Arlington County Library — Shirlington Branch!

Shirlington has always been my hometown and even before the newly renovated library it has always been small, peaceful, and the staff was always friendly. Compared to other libraries in Arlington, this branch is small and located underneath the Tony Award winning Signature Theatre. It has a small collection of books, a good amount of computers, and many tables where you can enjoy a good read or just use the Arlington County Wi-​Fi. Through out the summer the building is ventilated with AC so it can get a bit chilly which I like! Bring a hoodie just in case because it can get a bit cold, but make sure you don’t get too comfy and fall asleep haha. I have seen it before! The location of this branch is great due to the fact that there are many restaurants surrounding it (in case you get the munchies) and of course you can grab a cup of coffee (staying awake to study) at the Caribou Coffee. They also play movies about twice a month, so check their website and see if any films tickle your fancy. I would recommend this branch to anyone that enjoys a small, quite place to do work, and of course needs amenities located nearby. I am a bookworm so don’t be surprised if you spot me here more than once through out the week :)
Location: Small /​Amenities Available
Staff: Friendly /​Knowledgable
Crowd: All Ages

A lot smaller than the main library in Ballston, but still a good branch nonetheless.
I don’t recommend this library for niche books, but they have quiet study rooms, plenty of computers, and checking out is quite simple.
Remember, if another branch has the book you want, reserve it and they’ll transfer the book to your home library within a couple days. Not bad, huh?

The Shirlington branch of the Arlington County Library system was a nice little location before the 2007 renovation and it’s a nice small location now. The library is now is a large, airy facility underneath the Signature Theater. The lighting is a little dim, but there are plenty of window seats, or you can simply walk outside and enjoy the numerous benches (and the fountain!) in the square-​like area.
The people have always been friendly. (Sometimes overly so, insisting on helping when I just want to use the simple, automated checkout system.) The collection isn’t immense, but that’s not the point of the branch — from here (or from online at home, delivered here) you have access to the entire Arlington County system, which has a great selection. And the location is excellent for the restaurants and grocery shopping right outside.
My only semi-​complaint is that I think they could have made this library even more impressive with additional books and possibly a second floor. But I’m greedy.