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
Jessica Hudson
Director

FCPL Newsroom

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Library-related news and special events for you and your family to enjoy. For a full list of events at your library visit our Library Calendar. Stay connected to your library by following us on social media: Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram.

For media queries, contact Marketing & Communications Director Sara Prohaska at sara.prohaska@fairfaxcounty.gov.


Nepali World Languages Bag and Books

Nepali World Languages Bags
January 22, 2024
Through a generous partnership with PKP Tender Hearts Foundation, six Nepali World Languages Bags and a few titles in English reflecting Nepalese culture have been added to the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) collection. These bags are starting their journey at Chantilly Regional Library due to its proximity to Brookfield Elementary School, which per Fairfax County demographics, has the highest concentration of elementary students where Nepali is spoken at home. "The Fairfax County Public Library holds a special place in my heart for its dedication to accessibility and equity. To be able to contribute to that same mission with our newly added Nepalese culture books brings a sense of pride and gratitude for our community I didn't know was possible," says Prabha Bhattarai, Founder and President of Tender Hearts Foundations. "I am a firm believer that books are just one door to promoting our country and culture, and I am thrilled that we are continuing to preserve and celebrate Nepal by providing exactly that." The target audience for these items is children and early readers. Each bag contains several books that adults can read to and with children. In addition to Nepali, FCPL offers additional World Languages Bags in Chinese, Arabic, Urdu and Tamil. The library’s collection contains many children and adult books in Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese as well. All World Languages Bags can be sent to any library branch location by searching and placing a hold through FCPL’s catalog. Here’s how to place a hold on a World Languages Bag in the library’s catalog: Type in “picture book bag” on the search bar next to “Keyword search” at the top of the page. Then click the search icon. The picture books will populate the page. Choose the language you are interested in under “subjects” on the left side of the screen. Select “PLACE HOLD” to the right of the picture book bag you want. Follow the directions to enter your user information, password and the library branch where you’d like to pick up the book bag. If you need additional assistance, please ask at a library information desk where staff will be happy to connect you with the World Languages Bags in your preferred language.
FCPL Hits 3 Million Digital Checkouts in 2023
FCPL Hits 3 Million Digital Checkouts in 2023
November 30, 2023
On Wednesday, Nov. 29, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) reached a major milestone, 3 million digital loans for 2023. This is the first time the library system has exceeded the threshold since introducing OverDrive, FCPL’s online digital catalog provider, in 2006. Sabriel, the award-winning young adult fantasy novel by New York Times’ bestselling author Garth Nix, was the book that helped FCPL surpass the milestone.  With this achievement, FCPL joins an elite group of library systems around the world. In 2022, only 37 libraries who utilize OverDrive hit the 3 million total digital checkout mark in a single year. To add a little more perspective, OverDrive’s website reports that they serve “more than 88,000 libraries and schools in 109 countries with the industry’s largest digital catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, video and other content.” So, this is no small feat!  FCPL utilizes Overdrive and its mobile application Libby to provide 24/7 access to their digital collection, which includes eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines. Readers can now access titles whenever and wherever they want using any major device, making digital materials more popular than ever.    While reader interest in digital materials has been increasing steadily over the years, FCPL has seen exponential growth since 2019, with circulation more than doubling in the three-and-a-half-year period. To meet this demand, FCPL collections staff has been hard at work expanding the digital collection to include more titles, as well as additional licenses for popular titles, with the goal of reducing long wait times. This work has been supported in recent years by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, who recently approved a $300,000 increase to the library’s collection budget, as well as the Friends of Reston Regional Library, who donated $200,000 to the library in June of 2022 to support the development of both the digital and physical collections.   FCPL’s digital collection is available for free to anyone who has a Fairfax County Public Library card. More information about the collection and how to access it can be found here.  
Library of Things Meters and Readers Announcement
FCPL Introduces Meters and Readers to the Library of Things
November 27, 2023
Library cardholders in Fairfax County can now borrow a variety of testing devices from their neighborhood branches. As of Nov. 27, nine types of meters and readers are available for check out at Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) 23 locations as part of its Library of Things, adding to the growing collection of non-traditional items visitors can borrow for use in their own homes. The introduction of these devices aligns with the library’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, which places emphasis on, among many other things, expanding the community’s access to innovative technology and resources.   The initial batch of meters and readers available to check out include:  Air Quality Monitors  Battery Testers  Carbon Monoxide Meters  Kilowatt Usage Meters  Laser Thermometers  Moisture Meters  On-Board Diagnostic Code Readers  Radon Gas Monitors  Soil Meters  Each device is available to check out for three weeks at a time and, if not immediately available, can be put on hold online or by visiting the information desk at any FCPL branch. More information about each of these devices can be found here.  After all, why buy it when you can borrow it!  Along with the meters and readers, the Library of Things is home to many other borrowable items that go beyond the bounds of traditional library materials, such as artwork, binoculars, board games, book discussion kits, Connect Chromebook Kits, Conserve Energy Kits, Hands-On History kits, Launchpad tablets, nature backpacks and thermal cameras.   To learn more about the materials available through the Library of Things, visit our Library of Things LibGuide.
FCPL Buttons at the 2023 Virginia Library Association Conference
FCPL Takes on the 2023 VLA Annual Conference
October 26, 2023
More than 160 Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) employees joined their peers from around the state this week as part of the 2023 Virginia Library Association’s (VLA) Annual Conference. Held at the Westfields Marriot in Chantilly, the conference provided attendees the opportunity to participate in educational presentations, make connections and celebrate the achievements of the past year.   The conference began on Sunday, Oct. 22 with the annual awards banquet where two of FCPL’s own staff members were among the honorees. Gary Goodson and Atnaf Ameha won the Public Library Innovator Award, which “recognizes public librarians or public library project teams who have made an outstanding contribution to advance the mission of a public library in Virginia through an innovative project, program or service during the nomination period.” Goodson and Ameha received the award for their development of various Microsoft Power applications used by library staff.  Sunday also featured the conference’s poster exhibition, where an FCPL staff member was among the exhibitors. Dianne Coan, FCPL’s Division Director of Technical Operations, presented “Set Overdrive on Cruise Control: More Circulation, Same Holds." The remaining two days of the conference were dedicated to informational presentations and panel discussions on industry-related topics. Of the 70 different programs offered to attendees, FCPL staff led, co-led or participated in eight presentations and discussions. These included: “Be Brave: Create Safe Spaces and Build Inclusivity” co-led by Elizabeth Bass, Burke Centre Library Branch Manager  “Library Security: Best Practices to Keep Staff and Customers Safe” led by Kevin Osborne, FCPL Deputy Director, and Mike Siriwardena, Reston Regional Library Branch Manager  “Collection Maintenance Reports Made Easy” led by James Cullen of FCPL Technical Operations and Gary Goodson of the FCPL IT Team  “NARCAN in the Library: How to Get Overdose Reversal Training and Medicine into your Library” led by Kevin Osborne  “Both Sides Now: Changing from Academic to Public Libraries” co-led by Mike Siriwardena and Hall Baldwin, Dolley Madison Library Branch Manager  “Neurodiversity 101: An Insider’s Perspective” led by Kerri Zuiker, Youth Services Information Assistant at Centreville Regional Library, and Kelly Gilbert, Adult Services Librarian at Chantilly Regional Library  “Building and Sustaining a Makerspace: Come Together & Create” led by Emily Swain, Assistant Branch Manager at Kings Park Library, and Sahadev Poudel, Library Information Assistant at Herndon Fortnightly Library  “Desegregation of Libraries in Virginia” led by Suzanna S. LaPierre, Virginiana Specialist Librarian at the Virginia Room  Check out our gallery of photos from the conference here.  
Library Board of Trustee Chair Brian Engler and Friends Choice Award Recipient
FCPL Honors Friends Group Members with 2023 Friends Choice Awards 
October 24, 2023
The Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees and community members gathered on Wednesday, Oct. 11 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 22 awardees.   Board of Trustees Chair Brian Engler led the program, praising the Friends groups for their contributions to the library over the last year and honoring each recipient for their contributions. Reading a summary of their nominations, he welcomed each honoree, presenting them with a certificate, gift card and pin as a token of the library’s appreciation.  This year’s list of honorees include:  Gaylene Arnista, Friends of Burke Centre Library  Mary Hubbard, Friends of Burke Centre Library  Dennie Knox, Friends of Centreville Regional Library  Dora Martinez, Friends of Centreville Regional Library   Rose Berteotti, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library  Kathy Olcus, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library   Lois Price, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library   Dawn Keene, Friends of City of Fairfax Regional Library  Grover Dunn, Friends of George Mason Regional Library  Karen Dunn, Friends of George Mason Regional Library  Cathy Schagh, Friends of George Mason Regional Library  Judith Chamot, Friends of Kings Park Library  Faith Chang, Friends of Kingstowne Library  Kate Crawford, Friends of Oakton Library  Jonathan Gressel, Friends of Pohick Regional Library  Carol Henning, Friends of Pohick Regional Library  Dan Neckel, Friends of Pohick Regional Library  Joanne Neckel, Friends of Pohick Regional Library  Barbara Zenker, Friends of Richard Byrd Library   Pam Hall, Friends of Thomas Jefferson Library  Kelley Gillespie, Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library   Mary Vavrina, Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library  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.  Click here to view our gallery of photos from this year's Friends Choice Award. 
Ribbon cutting at Community Services Room at Tysons Corner Center
FCPL Celebrates the Reopening of the Community Services Room at Tysons Corner Center
August 4, 2023
Members of Fairfax County Public Library’s staff joined county officials and community partners Saturday, July 29 to mark the reopening of the Community Services Room located at Tysons Corner Center. The multi-use space is run in partnership between the library, Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Providence District Supervisor Dalia A. Palchik and Edu-Futuro, a local nonprofit organization assisting underserved youth and families. Each partner will utilize the space to offer visitors expanded access to several government- and community-based services they might not have been able to before, all in one location.   “We’ve been moving to more co-located services, so that if you’re a resident, you don’t have to schlep yourself back and forth to find what you need from county services” explained FCPL Director Jessica Hudson. “And this place is an amazing example of that.”  Beginning in September 2023, FCPL’s School-Age and Teen Services Outreach team will utilize the room to provide programming opportunities on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Programs held in the space will cater specifically to teens ages 12-18 and include STEM learning opportunities, arts and crafts, gaming, and more, completely free of charge. The space will also feature a pop-up library to provide access to a curated collection of popular library materials for teens and to accept library returns.  “We’ll be doing amazing onsite programs to draw those youth back into what the county has to offer them,” said Hudson. “Hopefully, we can instill in them a love, not only for county services and the county they live in, but they community members they live in it with.”  The Fairfax County Community Services Room is located on the 2nd floor of Tysons Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA) outside of Nordstrom. To learn more about the space and upcoming library programing sessions, visit bit.ly/FCPL_TeenOutreach.  
FCPL To Resume Normal Operating Hours Aug. 28
FCPL To Resume Normal Operating Hours on August 28
August 2, 2023
Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) will resume normal operating hours effective Monday, Aug. 28. With this change, the library will be open longer, offering library visitors more time to check out books, attend programs and utilize the many resources available at each of their 23 branches. Under the updated hours, regional branches will now be open: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday while community branches will be open: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and Closed on Sunday. The Access Services branch, located at the Fairfax County Government Center, will remain open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to the extended branches hours, the library is always available online through its many digital offerings. Cardholders can search the digital collection on Overdrive and its mobile application Libby, stream tv shows, movies and documentaries on Kanopy and access a vast array of research databases. FCPL would like to thank the people of Fairfax County for their patience and understanding as it navigated the effects of the pandemic and staffing difficulties. FCPL is excited to once again be able to offer everyone a greater opportunity to visit its branches and enjoy its array of services.

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