The Arlington County library system’s comeback from the COVID crisis will take another step forward in six weeks, when Central Library and branch libraries will see extended hours.
The new operating hours as of Jan. 3 will be:
• Central Library: Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Columbia Pike and Shirlington branches: Mondays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, noon to 8 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Westover branch library: Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon; Tuesdays from noon to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays to be announced.
• Aurora Hills, Cherrydale and Glencarlyn libraries: Mondays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays from noon to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Arlington libraries were shuttered entirely at the onset of the COVID pandemic in March 2020, with facilities not reopening to the public until mid-2021. County officials first blamed health conditions, then staffing problems, in trying to explain a return to service that trailed most library systems in the region and across the country.
Since its initial reopening of a few branches with limited hours, the library system has been restored additional service as resources have become available, county officials said.