Crystal City Pop-up Branch Library to Stay Open Into 2018

Published on July 27, 2017

• JBG Smith Properties partners with County


• Pop-up will be open through June 2018


• Library seen as part of Crystal City revitalization efforts 

The Connection: Crystal City—Pop-up Branch Library will be open through June 2018,   thanks to an agreement reached between Arlington County and landlord JBG Smith.



"The Connection has proven to be an innovative and popular space for the Crystal City community," Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz said. "Thanks to JBG for partnering with us to keep the pop-up branch library open through June 2018. When the business community and the government work together, the community benefits."

The County opened the pop-up library at 2100 Crystal Drive in September 2016, with an initial operating term due to end in December of this year. It offers books, audio visual materials, games and tech access, along with community meeting space, workshops, book groups and other gatherings, including art exhibits. The goal was to meet patrons where they live and work in a low-cost way. Since its debut, the library has enlivened Crystal City Shops at 2100, 2117 Crystal Plaza Arcade and garnered an overwhelmingly positive response from the community.

"The revitalization of Crystal City is a top priority for JBG Smith," said Andrew VanHorn, Executive Vice President of Development at JBG Smith. "The Connection is a prime example of the place-making efforts we are employing throughout the area, in that we are finding creative ways to provide value and utilize space. It has been especially rewarding to be able to work closely with Arlington county to provide a service that Crystal City residents and neighbors both need and enjoy."

JBG will continue to provide the 1,222 sq. ft. of space that The Connection occupies  rent-free. Beginning in January 2018, JBG also will be responsible for The Connection's share of common area maintenance expenses, real estate taxes and electricity associated with the space the pop-up library occupies in the 2100 Crystal Drive Center.

Learn more about The Connection.