American Girl Dolls Fly Off the Shelves at Arlington Libraries

American Girl dolls are now available on loan at Arlington libraries, but the waiting list is so long children won’t get their hands on them for the “foreseeable future.”

“It’s been a rapid success,” said Peter Golkin, spokesman for the Arlington Public Library system.

Arlington libraries started to offer the dolls to patrons last month, after library officials heard of a similar program in New York. The dolls were acquired thanks to help from the Friends of the Library.

“They were kind enough to make it happen,” Golkin said.

There are about 20 dolls available for checking out, with various characters available representing various eras in history. It's a deal for parents since the dolls sell for $110 each.

Dolls can be checked out for a week at a time. They come with a kit that includes information about Arlington’s history at the time the doll represents, along with a journal and a carrying case.

The books that accompany each doll are also hot items in libraries, Golkin said. On Thursday, American Girl doll author Valerie Tripp will speak at 4:30 p.m. at the Cherrydale Branch Library on 2190 North Military Road, where her books will be available for purchase and signing.

Visit the Arlington Public Library website for details on how to check out the dolls.

The library is always looking for additional donations of dolls, but below is a list of the dolls currently available, according to the library's website:

• Julie and Ivy felt the cultural changes of the 1970s.
• Molly knew the homefront of World War II.
• Rebecca  was part of a Russian-Jewish immigrant family adapting to life in New York just before WWI.
• Addy escaped slavery and worked to reunite her family in 1860s Philadelphia.
• Marie-Grace and Cécile shared an unlikely friendship amid pre-Civil War New Orleans.
• Josefina grew up on a New Mexican “rancho” in the 1820s.