Public Libraries in Alexandria, Virginia

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📚 County library guide

Public Libraries in Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria, Virginia is served by Alexandria Library — five public lending branches plus a specialized law library, anchored by the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library on Duke Street.

💡 Looking for a specific service in Alexandria? libraries with study rooms · printing, copying & fax · a Library of Things.

📚 About Alexandria Library

Alexandria Library is the public library system serving the City of Alexandria, Virginia — an independent city that functions as its own county-equivalent jurisdiction. The system operates five public lending locations: the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library on Duke Street, the Kate Waller Barrett Branch in Old Town, the James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch on Commonwealth Avenue, the Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch on Seminary Road, and a dedicated Local History / Special Collections department housed within the Barrett Branch. A sixth location, the Alexandria Law Library at the courthouse on King Street, provides reference-only access to legal resources for residents and legal professionals.

📱 Free digital access with your card

A free Alexandria Library card unlocks ebooks and audiobooks through Libby, plus hoopla and Kanopy for movies, music and comics. Card holders also gain access to Find It Virginia, the Library of Virginia’s free statewide bundle of research databases, learning tools and newspapers — available from home with your library card number.

Alexandria library branches — 5 verified

Each branch below is verified on its official page with address, hours and services. Browse the full Virginia directory for more.

Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central LibraryAlexandria, VAFlagship on Duke Street — main lending collection & services →Kate Waller Barrett Branch LibraryAlexandria, VAOld Town branch — home of Local History/Special Collections →James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch LibraryAlexandria, VACommonwealth Avenue neighborhood branch →Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch LibraryAlexandria, VASeminary Road neighborhood branch →Local History / Special CollectionsAlexandria, VAAlexandria history archives — housed at Barrett Branch →

❓ Frequently asked questions

How many public libraries are in Alexandria, Virginia?

Alexandria Library operates five public lending branches: the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, Kate Waller Barrett Branch, James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch, Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch, and Local History / Special Collections. The system also maintains a reference-only Alexandria Law Library at the courthouse — making six total Alexandria Library locations.

Where is the main library in Alexandria, VA?

The Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library is at 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304. It is the flagship location of Alexandria Library, offering the largest lending collection and the full range of library services.

Who can get an Alexandria Library card?

A card is free to any Alexandria city resident. Virginia residents outside Alexandria may also qualify through statewide reciprocal borrowing agreements, and non-residents may purchase a fee card.

Does Alexandria Library offer ebooks and audiobooks?

Yes. A free card gives access to ebooks and audiobooks on Libby, streaming movies and music on hoopla and Kanopy, and the Find It Virginia statewide research database bundle — all usable from home.

Is “Alexandria City Library” the same as Alexandria Library?

Yes. Alexandria Library is the official name of the public library system serving Alexandria, Virginia. Because Alexandria is an independent city — not part of any county — the city library system serves the entire jurisdiction, the same way a county library system would elsewhere in Virginia.

Last verified September 2026 from official library sources. Hours & services can change — confirm on each branch’s page. By Megan Carter, Library Resources Editor · public-libraries.com