Alexandria, VA – Alexandria Library is once again inviting families to bring history, imagination, and adventure home with its beloved American Girl® lending program, now back at the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library.
For a week at a time, library cardholders can check out special American Girl® doll kits featuring characters who honor both national and local history. Each doll comes with her own story, wardrobe, journal, and carrying case — ready to inspire play, learning, and creativity.
Dolls with a Story to Tell
The Library’s collection currently features three remarkable dolls:
- Felicity® – A Colonial-era doll from Virginia, celebrating Alexandria Library’s 225th anniversary and its founding in 1794.
- Melody® – A 1960s civil rights activist whose story reflects the spirit of the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In, commemorating its 80th anniversary.
- Molly® – A World War II-era doll generously donated by a library patron.
Together, these dolls highlight the Library’s connection to Alexandria’s history and the larger American story.
How the Program Works
- Who Can Borrow? Regular/adult Alexandria residents with library cards in good standing.
- Loan Period: One week (7 days).
- Where to Pick Up: Behind the circulation desk at Beatley Central Library.
- What’s Included: Doll, full outfit, pajamas, book, journal, hairbrush, and carrying case.
- Special Note: One doll kit per household; kits cannot be renewed.
Borrowers are encouraged to write about their doll’s “adventures” in the included journal, adding to a living scrapbook of Alexandria families’ experiences.
A Community-Backed Effort
The program is made possible through support from the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Friends and fundraising by a local troop of Girl Scouts, ensuring that future generations can learn, play, and engage with Alexandria’s past in a hands-on way.
Why It Matters…