FCPL customers share how digital offerings and new services meet the changing demands of modern life and pandemic restrictions.

Record-Breaking Borrowing

Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) cardholders borrowed a record-breaking 2 million digital titles via OverDrive in 2020. Digitally-available books and audiobooks ensured customers could access library materials even when safer-at-home orders shuttered the branches to the public for more than three months last year, and again this January.

Worldwide, only 102 library systems surpassed 1 million checkouts via OverDrive in 2020.

“EBooks are more important than ever as library closures and other pandemic precautions made it difficult for many county residents to access reading material,” said Dianne Coan, division director for support services at FCPL. “We have been able to offer our customers a valuable lifeline to information and diversion during these challenging times.”

Fairfax’s readers agree.

“During the pandemic, with our much more isolated lifestyle, the Libby app’s audiobook and eBook resources have been a welcome refuge,” said Erin Siwert, who usually borrows physical materials but has switched to enjoying digital titles during the pandemic.

“I love being able to finish a book at midnight (or later!) and immediately browse the virtual stacks for my next book.”

The serendipity of finding a new favorite book while browsing the local library is even replicated virtually for customers. “I love being able to finish a book at midnight (or later!) and immediately browse the virtual stacks for my next book,” said Joanne Kelly of Reston.

Virtual and Socially Distanced Services

While quarantining at home, many FCPL customers found more new reasons to love their library, beyond digital titles.

Parents and caregivers have taken advantage of library programming and special services as many found themselves thrust into roles as teachers or emergency caregivers.

While providing daycare for her grandson, longtime FCPL cardholder Sue Lopez discovered online storytimes. “My grandson loved the stories that were read by the librarians for preschoolers. That was the highlight of his day,” she said.

“We have been thriving on the grab bags that the John Marshall librarians expertly put together.”

Stephanie Smith is caring for a toddler and a newborn. While normal library visits are out of the question because of the pandemic, she’s been taking advantage of FCPL’s express service options. “We have been thriving on the grab bags that the John Marshall librarians expertly put together,” she said. “I can call in the morning and say ‘I have a 2-year-old who loves trucks,’ and the best books for him are waiting on the shelf within a few hours.”

Pre-pandemic, Katherine Cole enjoyed in-person cooking programs with Chef Cal at FCPL’s Kings Park branch. She now gets her cooking tips from Chef Cal’s virtual programs. “It is interesting to watch him cook in his own kitchen! What fun it was to watch him share some great recipes from the comfort of my living room,” she said.

Keeping Up With Career and Education Needs

Jennifer Vassil originally signed up for her library card more than a decade ago so she could check out hard-copy books. But while job seeking recently, she started exploring Universal Class courses offered free through FCPL's database subscriptions. She took Salesforce 101 to familiarize herself with a customer relationship management software and updated her resume with the certificate she subsequently earned.

Melanie Meren, a parent and representative on the Fairfax County School Board, finds herself learning alongside her second and fifth graders. She uses physical books acquired through curbside pickup to supplement her children’s learning.

“In the past months I’ve learned about Paralympic sports, crafting and math games because of my children’s interests,” she said. “The best discovery has been the Little People, Big Dreams biographies series for young readers. These colorfully illustrated books share the stories of individuals who sometimes have complex lives and situations — especially related to facing racism and inequity.”

Sarah Belliss, a Fairfax County parent and military spouse, has relied on FCPL throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “When things started to shut down in March [2020] and everyone was headed to the grocery store, I headed to the library and maxed out our cards,” she said.

“There have been several times ... there have been books on display that are related to the topics we are learning."

Now she’s unexpectedly homeschooling her children, centering lessons on a literature-based curriculum. Instead of investing hundreds of dollars in books, she finds most of what she needs from FCPL, either in physical or audiobook form. “There have been several times I have stopped into the library to pick up our holds and there have been books on display that are related to the topics we are learning. That is always exciting!” she said.