Arlington County Library – Glencarlyn Branch

Smallest library in the county with heavy selection of children’s books. Also has a very good garden surrounding the building. Worth a visit

This is my favorite branch of the Arlington County Library. It’s so quaint. It just sits on its little 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.

Glencarlyn is a lovely and underrated branch of the Arlington County Public Library system. The staff is friendly and helpful, especially the gentleman who looks like John Noble from ‘Fringe.’ I highly recommend this library to anyone looking to borrow a book, CD, or movie. Might I suggest ‘Fringe’ season 1 on DVD?

This is a very small library. It’s not all fancy like the Shirlington location and other modernized libraries. And that’s exactly why I absolutely love this library. Yes, all the new stuff is cool but this is cute, quaint and that’s just a part of it’s overall charm. The staff is so helpful and friendly and it’s always cool to walk in and see children being read to (reminds me of my childhood and how I loved going to the library). I just put all of the stuff that I want on hold using the online catalog and pick up my items here. The self checkout counter is super responsive and speedy and it’s better than what you’d find at Wal-​Mart or other Grocery stores. They should take note!

The smallest branch in the Arlington system, but it’s still good. If Central Library’s like a giant 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.