“Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life.” – Sidney Sheldon
You may think that a library is just a place to read and borrow books, but Arlington Libraries are changing the way that libraries are seen and used. We had the amazing opportunity to take a tour of the George W. Hawkes Library that resides in Downtown Arlington, not far from the University of Texas at Arlington.
It was great to get the full tour of the three story beautiful building as well as see all the programs and opportunities that they offer throughout the library and on their website. If you don’t go into the library that often or are only going to a meeting room on the first floor, you may not know everything that they can offer you as an Arlington resident or as a small business owner.
1. Charging Station Lockers
Throughout the library, you will find free charging station lockers. These lockers can be used to charge your phone while you walk around the library. No need to worry about finding an outlet it some small corner, you can simply open an available locker, plug in your phone, put in a four digit code and you will be set!
2. Kid Friendly First Floor
As you walk into the first floor of the library, you will be transported back to childhood with the colorful artwork, odd shaped chairs, and bookshelves made specifically for children. The first floor is a completely different vibe from the rest of the library. It is truly a kid’s dream from all of the vibrant colors to the thousands of books that are right at their fingertips. This floor also has plenty of toys to play with.
3. Braille Options
Arlington Libraries are known to be inclusive to all kids. In the George W. Hawkes Library they take it a step further and have bought Braille versions of children’s books. This is something that we have never seen at other libraries in the area and it truly warmed our hearts to see how much the Downtown Library cares about inclusivity and helping those with disabilities.
4. Learning Kits
The Downtown Library has curated different kits to help parents teach their kids about certain subjects. Whether that is for teaching your kid about a holiday or life skills, they have a range of kits that are switched out throughout the year. Parents really love the tools that are in each kit and it helps that they are completely free to checkout!
5. Weekly Programs
If you are trying to find programs for your kid to get involved with the community, no matter the age, the library offers a few different fun programs for you and your kids. Some of the programs include Baby Time, Family Storytime, Create Something & Build Something, Homeschool Thursday, Little Artists/Mathematicians/Scientists/Engineers, and lastly, a Saturday Family Storytime. All of these programs are year round. If you would like to see more programs that the library has or would like to figure out which dates work best for your family, click here.
6. Arlington Reads (Adult Education Center)
Something very special about the Downtown Library is that they have an entire area dedicated to adult education! On the second floor there is an area with a few rooms called Arlington Reads. This is where adults can finish their high school diploma, learn English, or free career training! The Arlington Libraries truly want the community succeed and with this access to education right at Arlington resident’s fingertips, how can we not take advantage of this major benefit to continue our education for a better future.
7. Meeting & Study Rooms
There are plenty of rooms for meetings and studying sessions. Whether you want some alone time while studying or have a larger group meeting to talk business, the library has rentable rooms for everyone! If you are interested in reserving a room, Click Here.
8. MakerSpace
Think of a space where you can just let all of your creativity go. The MakerSpace can be that place for you! If you have innovations, a need to create or tinker, the MakerSpace can help you do just that. The space holds several sewing machines, 3D printers, Carvey Milling Printers, quilting machines, vinyl cutter, heat presses, embroidery machines, etc. This is a room where you can print shirts for your small business, create prototypes for a new invention, or just embrace your creative self. Almost all of the equipment is free to use as long as you bring your own materials. The only machines that you have to pay to use are the 3D Printer and the Plotter Printer because you would be using the libraries materials for creation. There are also quite a few events that happen in the MakerSpace, click here for event information.
9. Teen Time
Teen Time is the perfect hang out for teens to study, have a book club, or just hang out while respecting the quiet nature of the library. If you are looking for your teens to do something after school, 7th – 12th graders can attend official Teen Time from 3-6 PM every Monday through Wednesday. Teens will be able to play games, create art, study or just hang out. This is a perfect place to keep your teens engaged with having a creative outlet and continue their love for reading!
10. Blind Date with a Book
A popular thing for bookstores to do are Blind Dates with a Book. It is a fun game in which a wrapped book has its genre and a few other themes within the book and people purchase them for a surprise reading experience. Well, the library has joined in on the fun and has begun doing their Blind Dates with a book in the Young Adult (YA) section on the second floor.
11. Genealogy & History Database
Ancestry.com can get very expensive, George W. Hawkes Library can help you with that. They have an entire database for learning your genealogy and it is entirely free! Head to the second floor and there is a room just for genealogy & local history. From old newspapers to Arlington yearbooks from decades ago, you will be surrounded by not only your history but Arlington’s history. For more information on the database and how to access it, click here.
12. Chromebook Checkouts & Hotspots
Not everyone has access to a computer at home and while working on the desktops that the library has provided for years is a good option sometimes kids or adults need to be able to have access no matter where they go. The Arlington libraries now have Chromebook checkouts available for Arlington residents. You can also checkout hotspots, which is so amazing! If you are in a pinch and there is no wifi around or if you generally do not have wifi access at home, this hotspot checkout is perfect for you.
12. Sustainability Shop
As you walk into the library, head down towards the actual entrance and you will pass the Sustainability Shop! This is where you can find books that you can buy and some fun library merch. All of the proceeds go to the library to help fund their programs and buy more books!
13. Sun Club Garden
Need a break from work or studying? The Sun Club Garden is a great place to get some fresh air and relax especially as we head into summer! There are several tables and chairs so you can even bring your computer or books out to the garden to have a prettier view as you work. You might also get a surprising flower bloom the next time you go to the garden!
14. Online Learning Resources
The Arlington Library database also offers online learning resources for you to use at home and in the library. Some of the resources can only be accessed at the library, but you can learn how to be an entrepreneur, bake, learn a new language, etc. If you are interested in taking one of these free online classes, click here.
15. Community Outreach
The George W. Hawkes library also works very closely with people in need throughout the community. Alongside the Arlington Life Shelter, the library reaches out to those living in the shelter to give out temporary library cards, so they have access to a better future through the programs that the library includes. They also partner with Via to help those experiencing homelessness get to certain places.
Recently, all Arlington Libraries participated in a month-long Kindness Project, in which they had meditation and yoga classes, author book talks, coffee and chat, a community care fair and many more things throughout the month. The final event to celebrate this amazing project is a coffee and chat at 6 PM on April 30th. This event is hosted by the Arlington Women’s Book Club and they are reading Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community by The Born This Way Foundation and Lady Gaga. Channel Kindness has been this months read during the Kindness Project.