Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
🏢 Alexandria Library · ALEXANDRIA, Virginia
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Opened in April 1968 and named for the library director who oversaw the city's modern branch expansion, the Burke Branch serves the Seminary Road corridor with a full range of programs from English Language Learning classes to family storytimes.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 4701 SEMINARY ROAD, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22304
Phone: 7037461704
Website: alexlibraryva.org
📖 About Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
<p>The Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library opened on April 1968 at 4701 Seminary Road, the first new branch built under the tenure of library director Ellen Coolidge Burke, who led Alexandria Library from 1948 to 1969. Burke was a native Alexandrian who began her career as a cataloger and reference librarian before becoming director and steering the system through integration and significant growth. The branch is served by DASH Bus routes 36A and 36B and Metrorail at King Street Station, with dedicated on-site parking. Today it hosts a wide range of community programs including technology and career readiness workshops, fiber arts, creative art classes, and multilingual storytime for families.</p>
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Opened April 1968 — the first branch built during director Ellen Coolidge Burke's tenure
- Community programs: ELL classes, line dancing, junk journaling, fiber arts, bingo
- Family storytimes offered in both English and Spanish
- Dedicated parking lot plus DASH Bus routes 36A, 36B, and 102 access
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What community programs are offered at the Burke Branch?
The Burke Branch offers English Language Learning classes, technology and career readiness workshops, family storytimes in English and Spanish, fiber arts, creative art classes (reverse glass painting, collage, junk journaling), line dancing, and bingo for seniors.
Who was Ellen Coolidge Burke and why is this branch named for her?
Ellen Coolidge Burke (1901–1975) was a born-and-raised Alexandrian who served as Alexandria Library director from 1948 until her retirement in 1969. She oversaw the library's integration, introduced bookmobile services, and supervised the construction of the Burke Branch (1968) and the Duncan Branch (1969). The library was named in her honor upon opening.
Is there parking at the Burke Branch?
Yes. The Burke Branch has a dedicated parking lot on-site. It is also accessible via DASH Bus routes 36A, 36B, and 102, and by Metrorail at King Street–Old Town Station.