Library

CONTACT INFORMATION: Office: 8:00–4:30 M–F, Branch: hours vary. Please call your branch's direct line with account and eBook questions.
703-324-3100 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 324
Fairfax, VA 22035
Eric Carzon
Director

Library News

Department Resources


Staff Excellence Awards Nominations Now Open

Nominations Open Feb. 3-16, 2025, for FCPL Staff Excellence Awards
February 3, 2025
Has a staff member at your local library branch recommended a new favorite book or helped you with a research project? Or maybe hosted a fantastic Fairfax County Public Library virtual program recently? Nominate them for a Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) Staff Excellence Award using this online form. Nominations can be submitted online or in person Feb. 3 to 16. The FCPL Board of Trustees will recognize winners during its March 12 board meeting. 
Graphic depiction of African American family, accompanied by red, green and yellow decorative accents and text that reads Fairfax County Public Library celebrates Black History Month February 2025.
Discover Black History Month Happenings at FCPL
February 1, 2025
This February (and beyond) join Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) as we explore the diverse history of African Americans and highlight the many contributions they have made in this country from its very beginnings. With author talks, history presentations, storytimes and more for all ages, check out a small sample of what is on the schedule at your local library in celebration of Black History Month.   *Please note that dates/times of the following events are subject to change. Check the event listing for the latest information.    African Storytelling Re-imagined with Author Ada Ari – Multiple Branches – Multiple Dates  Hear the African folktale of Anansi the Spider, learn a popular Ghanaian dance, discover cultural facts about the Ashanti Kingdom and more in this fun program.  The Evolution of Jazz with Alison Crockett – Multiple Branches – Multiple Dates  Join  this award-winning vocalist as she takes the audience through a sonic journey of the language of jazz music from its spiritual beginnings to the present.  African Drumming Workshop with Kofi Dennis – Chantilly Regional Library – Sunday, February 9  Make steady-beat and rhythmic patterns with African djembe drums and shekeres in this program full of movement, singing and chanting! Breaking Down Barriers – Virtual – Wednesday, February 19   Explore the narratives of Black residents in Fairfax County, encompassing the experiences of the enslaved, military personnel, educators, entertainers and community activists who engaged in both national and local matters.  Carter G. Woodson Lecture – Multiple Branches and Virtual – Thursday, February 20  Learn about Carter G. Woodson, called 'The Father of Black History Month' by some, in this presentation from Dr. Lopez Matthews Jr., State Archivist and Public Records Administrator for the District of Columbia.  Who is Benjamin Banneker – Culmore Library – Thursday, February 20  “Meet” this brilliant astronomer, mathematician, and author as we explore his life and contributions and discover how he made history in this performance.   Illustrator Talk: Tequitia Andrews – City of Fairfax Regional Library – Saturday, February 22  Get drawing tips from this professional illustrator as she discusses her latest book and creative process before leading the group through a collective art activity.   Gather With Glory: An Afternoon with Author Glory Edim – Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library – Sunday, February 23  Join the award-winning author of Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books that Saved Me and founder of the reading network Well-Read Black Girl for a presentation about her work followed by a book signing.  For a complete list of Black History-related events, visit bit.ly/FCPL_BHMEvents.   You can also celebrate and honor by selecting a new read from our specially curated Black History Month booklists for adults and kids. 
2024 Top Checkouts
Fairfax County Public Library's Top Checkouts of 2024
December 31, 2024
2024 marked the 85th anniversary year for Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL). On February 1st, 1939, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted for a $250 allocation to fund a public library for the first time. It’s hard to imagine that small amount of money, which eventually became a traveling bookmobile, could sustain a free public library. Fast forward to today and it is the largest and busiest public library system not only in Virginia but also the entire southern United States, with an average circulation of over 12 million items. FCPL also celebrated another major milestone this year, 25 million all-time digital checkouts and 3.8 million in calendar year 2024. That’s a lot of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines!   TOP DIGITAL ITEMS FOR 2024 The top digital items that helped surpass the 25 million mark were:   Top 5 Adult eBooks: 1.    “The Second Mrs. Astor: A Heartbreaking Historical Novel of the Titanic” by Shana Abe 2.    “The Marlow Murder Club: A Novel” by Robert Thorogood 3.    “The Women: A Novel” by Kristen Hannah 4.    “It Starts With Us” by Coleen Hoover 5.    “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed” by Lori Gottlieb Top 5 Adult eAudiobooks: 1.    “101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think” by Brianna Wiest 2.    “Pretty Girls” by Karin Slaughter 3.    “The Heavens May Fall” by Allen Eskens 4.    “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros 5.    “The Paris Apartment: A Novel” by Lucy Foley Top 5 Childrens and Young Adult eBooks: 1.    “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas 2.    “Check & Mate” by Ali Hazelwood 3.    “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins 4.    “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak 5.    “Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas Top 5 Childrens and Young Adult eAudiobooks: 1.    “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas 2.    “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins 3.    “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” by J.K. Rowling 4.    “If He Had Been with Me” by Laura Nowlin 5.    “A Wrinkle In Time” by Madeleine L’Engle Top 5 eMagazines:  1.    The New Yorker 2.    New Scientist 3.    Us Weekly 4.    The Week Magazine 5.    National Geographic Magazine TOP PRINT MATERIAL CHECKOUTS FOR 2024 Of course, sometimes there’s no comparison with holding and reading a physical book. Top 5 Print Adult: 1.    “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus 2.    “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett 3.    “Exchange, After the Firm” by John Grisham 4.    “The Women” by Kristin Hannah 5.    “Happy Place” by Emily Henry Top 5 Print Childrens/Young Adult: 1.    “Thank You Book” by Mo Willems 2.    “Dog Man: Mothering Heights” by Dav Pilkey 3.    “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal” by Jeff Kinney 4.    “Dog Man: Unleashed” by Dav Pilkey 5.    “Dog Man: Fetch” by Dav Pilkey  LIBRARY OF THINGS The library also offers much more to check out! The Library of Things is a collection of items for loan that expands the boundaries of traditionally defined library materials. The items include: •    Artwork •    Binoculars •    Board Games •    Book Discussion Kits •    Conserve Kits (Energy Conservation) •    Hands-On History Kits •    Meters •    Nature Backpacks •    Thermal Cameras In 2024, FCPL added two new offerings to the Library of Things collection: Light Pollution Monitoring Kits and Family History Kits.  Light Pollution Monitoring Kits, also known as Dark Skies kits, are part of the citizen science initiative, allowing people from all corners of the planet to contribute data that can be used in the analysis of a scientific problem. Provided through a partnership with Fairfax County Park Authority, this kit allows borrowers to measure and report levels of light pollution. Light pollution not only affects our view of the stars, but can also waste energy and money, cause sleep disorders in people, and disrupt sleeping and breeding habits of animals. Family History Kits help families record their memories and stories by prompting meaningful conversations. All the tools to get started are inside this kit such as an instruction guide, digital voice recorder, and a set of interview prompt cards with questions in English, Spanish and Korean.     TECHNOLOGY AND MAKING @ FCPL  FCPL provides free access to the internet at each of their 22 branches — whether on a County-provided computer or your own mobile device or laptop. Connect Kits (Chromebooks) are also available for check out that include free Wi-Fi hotspot devices for on-the-go connectivity.  FCPL offers three Do-It-Yourself or “Maker” Labs at Herndon Fortnightly Library, Pohick Regional Library and Sherwood Regional Library. These are places where visitors can learn, tinker, create, craft, make, and do-it-yourself. Each of the three labs have a variety of tools for whatever makers can dream up. Most branches also free 3D printing. All year long, Fairfax County Public Library hosts a wide variety of programs, events and fun for all ages. Stop by your local library branch in 2025 to see what’s new!
Fairfax County Public Library Celebrates Native American Heritage Month | November 2024
FCPL Celebrates Native American Heritage Month
November 1, 2024
This November, Fairfax County Public Library is honoring the history, traditions and contributions of the United States’ indigenous peoples, including Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. According to the Culture Heritage of Fairfax County Residents Research Guide on the Library’s website:   “Archaeological evidence shows that people have been living in what is now Virginia as far back as 16-22,000 years ago.” These tribes contributed significantly to the newcomers’ ability to survive those first few years upon their arrival to present-day Virginia. Over the four hundred years since the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia’s native people have contributed greatly to the vitality of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the nation, and continue to do so.”  To recognize these communities, as well as the other indigenous groups who originally inhabited the land that is now the U.S., our branches will be hosting educational presentations, dance performances, storytimes, crafts and more.  Check out a small sample of what we have planned at a library near you:     *Please note that dates/times of the following events are subject to change. Check the event listing for the latest information.     Explore Native American Life in Fairfax County – Multiple Branches – Multiple Dates  Discover what life may have been like for Eastern Woodland Indians and the relationship they had with the land that is now Fairfax County. Explore replica artifacts, listen to a story from Native American lore, try out corn grinding, play a corn dart game and more.  Richard Byrd Library – November 2  Chantilly Regional Library – November 3  Great Falls Library – November 9  Thomas Jefferson Library – November 16  “N. Scott Momaday: Words from a Bear” – Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library – November 4  Screen the documentary “N. Scott Momaday: Words from a Bear,” a biographical documentary about the first Native American to win the Pulitzer Prize in Literature, which Momaday won in 1969 for his novel, House of Dawn.   Create Your Own Sand Painting – Culmore (Woodrow Wilson) Library – November 21  Learn about Navajo Nation and their tradition of creating sand art for artistic and medicinal purposes, then create one of your own.  Native American Heritage Celebration – Multiple Branches – November 23 and 24  Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with an authentic cultural presentation and dance demonstration by the Eastern Woodland Revitalization. Performances include the Harvest Dance, the Eastern Blanket Dance and a craft for kids.  Reston Regional Library – November 23  Centreville Regional Library – November 24  Native American Heritage Month Read Aloud & Craft – Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library – November 25  Enjoy a storytime featuring Native American tales, followed by a fun and educational activity where kids can learn the history of totem poles and create their own.  For a complete list of Native American Heritage-related events, visit bit.ly/FCPL_NativeAmericanHeritage.  You can also celebrate by participating in our Native American Heritage Month Genre Bingo Challenge on Beanstack! Learn more about the challenge and sign up to participate here. 
Show Your Appreciation for Veterans and Military Families with FCPL | November 2024
Show Your Appreciation For Veterans and Military Families at Your Local Library
November 1, 2024
Fairfax County is home to a large and thriving military community. According to an article from the county’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, which coordinates the Veteran and Military Families Commission, more than 45,000 active-duty military, selected reserve members, and an estimated 65,000 veterans live in Fairfax County. To honor these members of our community, Fairfax County Public Library will be celebrating National Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month this November. Throughout the month, library visitors can join us at branches around the county to connect with and celebrate our military neighbors with programming that includes author talks, storytimes, demonstrations and more.   Check out a small sample of what we have planned at a library near you:     *Please note that dates/times of the following events are subject to change. Check the event listing for the latest information.     Blue Star Family Play Date – Sherwood Regional Library – Sunday, November 3  Get to know your neighbors during this event is for military and civilian families to meet, craft and play together.  Special Storytime with Sergeant Victor Melendez – Kings Park Library – Wednesday, November 6  Make new friends, introduce perspectives of military life, and socialize with other families during this family storytime.  Marine Corps Silent Rifle Drill Team – Centreville Regional Library – Wednesday, November 6  Experience the precision of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon as they perform a unique precision drill exhibition, exemplifying the professionalism associated with the United States Marine Corps.  Meet Author Lt. Col. Les Carroll – Multiple Locations – Multiple Dates (registration required)  Listen as the author discusses the life experiences that inspired his book “This Troubled Ground.” Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A session and audience members can buy signed copies of his book.   Herndon Fortnightly Library – Saturday, November 9   Thomas Jefferson Library – Saturday, November 9  Chantilly Regional Library – Sunday, November 10  Fitness Tips for Military Families – Sherwood Regional Library – Thursday, November 14  Hear fom fitness professional and Army veteran Donna Welch as she shares her framework to help military families sustain healthy and enjoyable lifestyles.  Celebrating Military Families – Lorton Library – Saturday, November 23 (registration required)  Join us for a special military storytime followed by crafts and activities. All are welcome  For a complete list of related events, visit bit.ly/FCPL_MilitaryFamilyAppeciation. 
Thanks for Being a Friend! Friends of the Library Week 2024
National Friends of the Library Week 2024
October 18, 2024
Thanks for Being a Friend! FCPL Honors Friends of the Library Week National Friends of the Library Week is an opportunity for Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) to thank our many Friends groups for their contributions throughout the year.  These individual groups support, assist and promote library activities for the local community. Every Friends group makes valuable contributions to the entire library, as well as their own branch. Most Friends groups hold book sales, and the proceeds are donated back to the library to help the library acquire books and equipment as well as sponsor programs and exhibits beyond the library's operating budget.  Please watch this video message from our Acting Director Christine Jones, featuring a few of our Friends members.   //--> The Video Player does not directly support your device. Please the link below the play in VLC, Quicktime, or other media player: https://dl.ebmcdn.net/fairfax/flash/16AF_1024_LibraryWeek.mp4   //-->   2024 Friends Choice Awards The Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees and community members recently gathered on Wednesday, Oct. 9 to celebrate the library’s Friends groups and recognize members nominated by their peers for their service. This year’s Friends Choice Awards were held at Chantilly Regional Library and featured a program honoring 32 awardees.  Board of Trustees Chair Suzanne Levy led the program, praising the Friends groups for their contributions to the library over the last year and honoring each recipient for their contributions. The photo gallery from the awards ceremony is available here. This year’s list of honorees include: Kathryn Hodgdon, Access Services Advisory Group Rachel Schreiman, Access Services Advisory Group Shelley Brosnan, Friends of Burke Centre Library Frank Whittington, Friends of Burke Centre Library Tara Lassiter, Friends of Centreville Regional Library Rhonda Savage, Friends of Centreville Regional Library Vince Krevinas, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library Dennis Yenke, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library Karen Flagg, Friends of Great Falls Library Michael De Sapio, Friends of Kingstowne Library Fen Hunt, Friends of Kingstowne Library Nancy Newman, Friends of Kingstowne Library Wendy Simpson, Friends of Kingstowne Library Rita Hoskins, Friends of Pohick Regional Library Noemi Goldstein, Friends of Pohick Regional Library Sally Tomlin, Friends of Pohick Regional Library Barbara Atchison, Friends of Pohick Regional Library Kumutha Lane, Friends of Pohick Regional Library Andrea Tassan, Friends of Reston Regional Library Tom Skirbunt, Friends of Reston Regional Library Laurie Selmer, Friends of Reston Regional Library Carol Rieger, Friends of Reston Regional Library James “Jim” Medler, Friends of Reston Regional Library Linda Klieforth, Friends of Reston Regional Library Karen Grisz, Friends of Reston Regional Library Joel Cotton, Friends of Reston Regional Library Mary Catherine Flythe, Friends of Richard Byrd Library Maritza Jackson, Friends of Thomas Jefferson Library Tammi Souza, Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library Kris Lansing, Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library Karen James, Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library Robert “Bob” Phillips, Friends of Virginia Room Community members wishing to become part of a Friends groups can find out more information on the library’s website. This page includes a list of the different Friends groups throughout Fairfax County as well as details on membership and how to join. You can become actively involved or simply have the satisfaction of supporting a worthwhile cause. Consider donating your used books to the library for sale during Friends' book sales!  
Fairfax County Public Library Welcomes New Director Eric Carzon
Fairfax County Public Library Announces New Director
October 1, 2024
  Eric Carzon has been appointed director of Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL), effective Monday, Nov. 4. Carzon brings over 27 years of experience in library management, having most recently served as regional manager for Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL). He succeeds Jessica Hudson, who left the position earlier this year. In his role at MCPL, Carzon oversaw various leadership positions, including business manager and branch manager, before advancing to regional manager. He played a significant role in launching MCPL’s first Library of Things Music in 2018, a project that expanded access to diverse resources. Additionally, he contributed to numerous capital projects aimed at enhancing library services and facilities across the region. Carzon has been a leader on several initiatives that received national recognition. Notable among these is the Library Refresh Capital Improvements Program, which focused on modernizing library spaces to better serve community needs. He also helped establish a successful partnership with KIDMuseum, which provided innovative educational programs for local youth.  Carzon holds master’s degrees in library information science and public management from the University of Maryland at College Park. He is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American Library Association and the Public Library Association.
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