Public libraries (Alexandria, Fairfax: house, live in, move)

[flyingfish]

Thanks for all the advice when I was house hunting. It's been about two weeks since the move and so far so good.

I am trying to figure out the public library. Should I join Fairfax system and it will work in the Alexandria system? Or vice versa. In NYC, once I joined the Manhattan Library, I could use the same card for some of the libraries in boroughs outside of Manhattan.

Also which branch would you recommend? My experience with libraries has been that either the branches are too small and you're better off just going to the central branch or some of the branches have a better art/fiction/business etc. selection than other and you have to go to several to get what you want (because the staff never seem to find it when you request it be sent to your branch, but when you go in person, you find it yourself within minutes on the shelf).

[Flamingo13]

Do you live in Fairfax County or Alexandria City? I don't know that they are reciprocal, but join where you live. I like the Barrett library right on Duke St.

[FindingZen]

Hey Flamingo13, I think you mean the Beatley library on Duke Street, don't you? I do like the convenience (for me) of the Barrett branch in Old Town as well.

In Alexandria, I've been to Beatley (towards the West End, north of Cameron Station), Barrett (Old Town) and Duncan (Del Ray). I just happened to list them in order of size, with Beatley being the central library. Beatley has a Talking Books section on the 2nd floor. Barrett has a significant area devoted to local history. I can't say for sure what Duncan's "standout" feature is but it's certainly a serviceable library.

[Flamingo13]

You are correct - I just know where it is (not the exact name, lol) - I did remember the B though

[FindingZen]

No worries, it's probably easy to get those B's confused.

[flyingfish]

I'm in Alexandria. I will join Alexandria first and see how that goes.