Dear Fairfax County community,

Welcome to our winter issue! We have several exciting updates and new initiatives to share with you.

I am pleased to announce that our Board of Trustees has discussed and, as of this writing, plans to approve the end of overdue fines on most library materials. Library staff members are working to ensure we are set up to forgive fines already incurred and stop imposing most fines beginning Jan. 1, 2022.

Equity is driving our shift to a fine-free model of library services; we don’t want accrual of overdue fines to deter anyone who may find value in the library.

Library systems around the nation, including in all neighboring counties, have gone fine-free and experienced surges in returned materials. These systems have also found that their cardholders continue to return materials on time, even without the threat of fines.

To welcome those returning to the library and entice new visitors, we have declared 2022 the Year of Literacy. Each month our branches will highlight a different type of literacy. The festivities kick off in January with our second-annual Winter Reading Challenge. It will offer activities for all ages, so be sure to sign up! We’ll heat up February with celebrations of love literacy. On Feb. 6, we are hosting Terry McMillan, author of Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back, in partnership with The Alden.

Providing programming and services amid a pandemic continues to present opportunities and challenges; we appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we adapt our processes to safely provide services. Be sure to check in with your local branches, our website and social media for updates.

I look forward to connecting virtually and in person during our Year of Literacy!

Jessica A. Hudson
Director
Fairfax County Public Library