Branch Out

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Ashley Atkinson
Editor, Branch Out

Our Library, Our Stories: Library Mascots

Our Library, Our Stories: Library Mascots


By Ashley Atkinson, Marketing and Communications Specialist


Learn about the many facets and faces of FCPL and our community — one story at a time.

In Branch Out’s “Our Library, Our Stories” section, we spotlight one person’s story about life and the library in each issue with the hope that it helps us all get to know and connect with each other just a little bit better. Our latest story comes to us from ... the library mascots?

We know what you are thinking. Library mascots are not necessarily library “staff and users” but to the branches they represent, they are an important part of the team, bringing joy and smiles to everyone they encounter. So why not take a moment to learn a little more about some of our unofficial staff members?

Fred The Groundhog

Branch: Burke Centre Library
Introductory Year: Around 2007-2008
Fun Fact: He is named after Fred Oaks Road, where the branch is located.

Story, Epic and Tall Tale

Branch: Centreville Regional Library
Introductory Year: 2017, circa 2020 and 2023 respectively
Fun Fact: This group of giraffes, also known as a “tower,” were all named by Centreville cardholders.

Cows

Branch: Chantilly Regional Library
Introductory Year: Unknown, but the herd has grown with gifts from departing staff
Fun Fact: The “mascot” is a cow because the land the branch is on was originally a cow pasture.

Fairfax Freddy

Branch: City of Fairfax Regional Library
Introductory Year: Circa 2003
Fun Fact: The original Freddy was used to measure puddle depth and leak potential of the roof of the old library building.

Georgie The Giraffe

Branch: Kings Park Library
Introductory Year: Circa 2018
Fun Fact: A fashion icon who is also always practical and plays dress-up through the various holidays and seasons.

Bruce A. Shark

Branch: Kingstowne Library
Introductory Year: 2011
Fun Fact: Originally a resident of Martha Washington Library, he is a practical joker who looks mean but has a big heart.

Luna The Labrador

Branch: Martha Washington Library
Introductory Year: Unknown
Fun Fact: She and her puppies like to greet young patrons near the Info desk.

Squirrels

Branch: Oakton Library
Introductory Year: Unknown
Fun Fact: Though not officially the branch’s mascot, many stuffed squirrels have found their way to the branch over the years, so we had to include them!

Admiral “Tux” Byrdy and Friends

Branch: Richard Byrd Library
Introductory Year: Tux debuted circa 2013, but penguins have been a library mascot since before 2010.
Fun Fact: Tux dons a scarf and aviator glasses in homage to the library’s namesake, naval officer and aviator Richard Byrd.

Doug, Arizona and Tina

Branch: Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library
Introductory Year: 2020
Fun Fact: Doug, Arizona and Tina are siblings and the grandchildren of the original illustrated T-Rex, TY, who can be found depicted on some of the library’s event tickets.

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