library
Martha Washington Library temporarily closes its doors …
We’ll miss her …
The Martha Washington Library is definitely one of the features and benefits of living in and around the 22307 area code. Martha Washington serves houses and townhouses of Bucknell Manor, the adorable garden-style condos of Belle View, the scenic condos at River Towers, the manors and homes of Belle Haven and homes and families of Fort Hunt with a broad selection of books and media. The staff is always helpful and pleasant. I and the Alexandria Gaming Group have made great use of the community room on numerous occasions. So December 20th will be a sad day for me.
That because Martha Washington Library, one of the oldest branches in the Fairfax County Library System, will close on December 20th at 5:00 p.m. for major renovations. By mid-February of 2009 and for the next 18 months, Martha Washington will temporarily be housed at 6328 Richmond Highway, Unit F, Alexandria, VA 22303. We’ll miss her while she’s gone.
The temporary location is nearby but not quite the same and is just that–a temporary location. I very much look forward to the larger newly renovated library at the same location as this beloved branch.
The Mount Vernon Rec Center neighbors Martha Washington Library.
Telephone: 703-768-6700
TTY: 703-324-8365
The library is on Fort Hunt Road and is adjacent to Mount Vernon District Park. It is surrounded by woods which connect to the neighborhood by paths and foot-bridges.
Martha Washington Library
The Martha Washington Library is part of the Fairfax County Library System. It was built in 1969 which makes it one of the oldest libraries in the Fairfax County system. The library is situated on Fort Hunt Road near the Belle View Shopping Center, which is at the intersection of Belle View Boulevard, Beacon Hill Road and Fort Hunt.
Because it was built in 1969, the library has the modernistic architecture of the late sixties, early seventies. The most distinctive feature of this design is the “hat” on the building. There is a 6 to 10 ft. feature on the roof which is reminiscent of the old Pizza Hut buildings.
The library has an on-going booksale. The prices on these books are quite reasonable.
Patrons can enjoy reading areas inside and out of the library. Inside, as one might expect, is quite and climate controlled. Outside there are a few benches. The library abuts the Mount Vernon Rec Center and nearly surrounded by the woods of the Mt. Vernon District Park.
The meeting room at the library seats 50 people and is quite pleasant. I have enjoyed the meeting room as a member of the Alexandria Gaming Group. The staff was very accommodating, and the room was excellent.
A volunteer group called the Friends of the Martha Washington Library supports the library. New volunteers are encouraged to fill out an application. It’s a great way to help your community and make new friends at the same time.
Between now and 2010, the Martha Washington Library will be undergoing an expansion project to add 8,000 square feet to the existing structure. The new structure will be 18,000 square feet and is depicted in the model in this picture.
