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TextLibrary to Host Discussion on Library Bond Referendum
Fairfax County Office of Public
Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935, FAX 703-324-2010
Sept. 8, 2004
Library to Host Discussion on Library Bond Referendum
On Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 10 a.m., Fairfax County Public Library officials will discuss the $52.5 million library bond referendum that residents will vote on Nov. 2. The discussion will be held at the Thomas Jefferson Library, located at 7415 Arlington Blvd. in Falls Church. Light refreshments will be served. Seating is limited; call to attend: 703-573-1060, TTY 711.
The first library bond referendum in 15 years will fund the construction of two new branches: one on Lynnhaven Place in Oakton and the other at the intersection of the Fairfax County Parkway and Fred’s Oak Road in Burke. The bond will also fund the renovation of four of the system’s oldest branches: the Thomas Jefferson Library, which opened in 1962; the Richard Byrd Library in Springfield, which opened in 1965; the Dolley Madison Library in McLean, which opened in 1967; and the Martha Washington Library in Alexandria, which opened in 1969.
The two new branches will help ease the burden on existing facilities, which accommodate five million visits per year. In fiscal year 2003, the system offered more than 4,000 events and activities which were attended by more than 164,700 children and adults. Librarians currently have to turn children away from popular programs. “Our librarians don’t like telling parents that their 3-year-olds can’t come to the story hour, but our meeting rooms get so packed we would violate the fire code if we let more children in,” explains Branch Coordinator Elizabeth Waller.
The renovation of three of the older branches
will include adding quiet study areas, a feature that was uncommon in
libraries built in the 1960s. Since today’s libraries are community
centers featuring book discussion groups, homework tutoring, children’s
events and other activities, separate quiet rooms accommodate people who
prefer to read or study in silence. “Although our library system enjoys a
99 percent satisfaction rating from our customers, we do receive comments
about sound reduction,” says Deputy Library Director Jane Goodwin, who
will lead the bond discussion on Sept. 14. “Building separate quiet rooms
in older branches will help make library visits more enjoyable – both for
people who appreciate social interaction, and for people who want to
concentrate.”
For details on library bond questions or more information on bonds in
general, visit the Fairfax County 2004 Bond Referendum Web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/opa/bond or visit the Fairfax
County Public Library Web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.
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