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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.

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Fairfax County Public Library: Remote Access to Learning Resources

March 18, 2020

Keep kids and teens engaged with online educational tools and activities while schools are closed. In this time of school closures, expanded online learning and social distancing, your library is here to provide essential resources and online support. We have tons to offer, and it can all be accessed without even leaving your couch. The library provides access to dozens of online resources to help school-age kids — and adults — stay in the know, research for remote-learning classes, seek homework help, or just engage in fun and educational activities while at home. Of course, we also have extensive collections of eBooks and eAudiobooks available through Overdrive, Libby and RBdigital. Right now that includes 130 popular titles we’ve added to a special OverDrive list of eBooks and audiobooks available with no holds and no waits (limit 1 per customer at a time, maximum 2-week checkout, no renewals). Don't have a library card yet? That's okay. Apply here for access to our digital resources. Magazines & Newspapers Stay in the know with access to the daily Washington Post and the New York Times. Flip through favorite magazines like Highlights, High Five Bilingual, Seventeen and ESPN. Read through current and past National Geographic magazines in digital format. Online Educational Resources With Fairfax County Public Schools closed, caretakers and students may want to keep up with learning and incorporate education into their days at home. The public library gives you online access to research materials to complete virtual coursework, support independent studies or simply provide engaging reading content to supplement eBook and audiobook options. Begin with the Education category in our Research Databases list, and dig deeper starting with the examples below — they're just the tip of the iceberg. Homework Help Grades K-6 Grades K-8 Grades 7-12 Grades 9-12 Grades K-6 Kid's InfoBits meets the research needs of students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 through a graphic interface, a subject search, and full-text, age-appropriate magazines and newspapers on current events, the arts, science, health, people, government, history, sports and more. NovelList K-8 Plus is a trusted source of read-alike recommendations specifically for younger readers. It helps kids find books that are just right for their reading level and interests. Scholastic Go! provides credible, accurate, reliable content on almost every core-curricula subject with endless resources for research in a multitude of media. Explore nonfiction texts, world newspapers, videos and more with this easy-to-navigate digital resource designed to strengthen content knowledge, vocabulary, and core proficiency skills. Middle School and High School CQ Researcher offers in-depth, non-biased coverage of current issues. Topics range from social and teen issues to the environment, health, education and science and technology. CQ Researcher explores a single "hot" issue each week. eBook High School Collection (EBSCOhost) offers full text titles with unlimited access designed specifically to support a quality learning experience for High School students across all academic subjects from History, to Language and Literature, to Science & Technology. Also includes ACT and SAT test preparation guides. Gale In Context: High School is an engaging online experience that merges Gale's authoritative and continuously updated reference content with full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, primary source documents, images, videos, audio files and links to vetted websites organized into a user-friendly portal experience. Read It! offers a collection of short informative articles on a variety of topics designed for English Language Learners. Text can be translated into more than 25 different languages or read out loud in English. Science in Context, U.S. History in Context, and World History in Context provide contextualized information on hundreds of the most significant subject matter topics. Homework Related Websites Visit our collection of Homework-Related Websites for even more on subjects from general reference, international information and statistics to biographies, current events, economics, personal finance, government, history, languages, literature, math, science, speeches, Virginia and writing. Tutoring and Test Prep The Fairfax County Public School system maintains a list of qualified, paid tutors. Email prc@fcps.edu to get the current list and inquire with tutors about virtual tutoring options. Online practice tests, tutorials and eBooks to prepare for academic tests are available in the LearningExpress Library database. Other Learning Resources for Your Family Stories, songs, videos, games and printable activities for your young reader. Entertaining and educational websites for teens. Libros Electrónicos en Español: new Spanish language eBooks have been added to Overdrive. Enhanced Gale Resources Gale is currently offering expanded free access to its interdisciplinary, curriculum-aligned resources for pre-K through undergraduate students. You may be prompted to enter these databases with a password. The password for all is "open." Miss Humblebee's Academy is an interactive kindergarten-readiness program that introduces children ages three to six to key concepts in math, science, social studies, language and literacy, art, and music. Gale In Context: Middle School combines reference content with age-appropriate videos, newspapers, magazines, primary sources, and more. Gale In Context: College offers interdisciplinary content that reinforces the development of skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, and innovation.

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U.S. map of people with hashtag count on libraries for 2020 census

Census 2020: Count on Libraries

March 1, 2020

Please Note: All Fairfax County Public Library branches are closed until further notice, and all library-sponsored events and programs are cancelled through April 12. In the meantime, we still have tons of digital resources available and Wi-Fi will be available in branch parking lots during normal operating hours. For more information, visit research.fairfaxcounty.gov/unlimited. Census Day is One Month Away — Are You Ready to Be Counted? Did you know that more than $675 billion in federal funds are distributed annually based on data collected by the census? These funds help pay for education, infrastructure, healthcare, housing, emergency services and other public needs. For every Northern Virginia resident who is not counted in the 2020 census, our region could lose $1,200 per year in federal funds — that’s $12,000 over 10 years! Your census response will directly benefit you and other Fairfax County residents, and all personal information collected is 100% confidential. Invitations to respond to the census will arrive in the mail in mid-March. The questionnaire must be filled out based on residency on April 1, 2020 — Census Day — and it can be completed online, on paper or by phone. 25% of U.S. housing units do not have internet access, but Fairfax County residents can count on the library for access to nearly 400 computers and free Wi-Fi (available during open hours) to complete the 2020 census online. The 2020 census is the first to be conducted online in its 230-year history. Check the library’s online calendar (search “census day”) for announcements about Census Day events and opportunities to access additional public computers and receive assistance completing your questionnaire at our branches. Plus, attend the first lecture in the Common Ground series to explore surprising stories of the census’ past, from the impact of the Civil War to the challenges of early computer systems. “Making Sense of the Census” takes place Wednesday, March 18, 7 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Library and will be led by Chris Martin, historian at the U.S. Census Bureau. Count on a revealing look at the why’s and how’s of accounting for the nation’s population. Learn more about the 2020 census at fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/census.

Walker Named to Library Board of Trustees

February 26, 2020

Elizabeth K. Walker of Centreville, Va., has been appointed to the Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees representing the Sully District. Walker brings a strong human resources and management background to her new role. Her appointment is through March 31, 2024. “I look forward to serving on the Library Board of Trustees and working hard to ensure Sully District and Fairfax County continue to have one of the highest-quality library systems in the country,” Walker said. From 2009-2019 Walker worked as a resource manager at MITRE, Inc., following 25 years at Northrop Grumman Corporation/TRW Inc. Before her transition to human resources, Walker performed a variety of counseling and support services to inpatient and outpatient populations as a social worker. Walker earned her Master of Arts in human resources management at Marymount University and her Bachelor of Arts in sociology at North Texas State University.

photo of Branch Out magazine with page turning to the Teens section on Renewal

Celebrate the Season of Renewal: Read the Spring Issue of Branch Out Magazine

February 26, 2020

Have You Explored Branch Out Magazine? Available in library branches and other public Fairfax County Government locations throughout the county, the library’s quarterly publication is designed to help community members make the most of Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) resources and services. Each quarter features a unique theme through which library events, technology, collections, databases, activities and more can be discovered and explored. Full listings of branch events are available online and in each branch. The spring 2020 issue of Branch Out magazine — covering March-May — focuses on the many ways people can find inspiration and information for refreshing, rejuvenating and restoring their mind, body and environment using the library’s resources, services and programs. Keep reading for an introduction to the Branch Out: Renewal content, then view the entire issue online or visit a library branch to pick up a copy of the magazine. Let Springtime Inspire Renewal in All Facets of Life Explore self-renewal, renewable resources, seasonal family activities and more with your library. Spring Sunshine and Science With added daylight giving us time to get more things done, warmer temperatures encouraging outdoor pursuits, stronger sunlight to help us soak up vitamin D for healthy bones and immune and nervous systems, and blooming flowers offering proven happiness-boosting benefits, it’s no wonder we feel revitalized, re-energized and rejuvenated in the spring. Even though we can pursue renewal, growth and development at any time throughout the year, the earth’s season of rebirth seems to give us extra energy and motivation to get active, take action and create change. Studies have shown that the longer the sun is up during the day and the more time we spend outdoors, the less mental distress and the more creativity we experience. Plus, if your new year’s resolution involved fitness goals, research indicates that people who work out outdoors enjoy the experience more and therefore are more likely to repeat it — so springing into some fresh air activity might help you stick with your exercise regimen. And while taking walks in nature at any time of the year has proven to slow the heart rate and promote relaxation, some research suggests that spring has an even greater effect on the brain. A 2005 study from the University of Michigan linked spending 30 minutes or more outside in warm, sunny spring weather to higher mood and better memory. Renew More Than Books Capitalize on this springtime surge of energy and optimism; don’t limit your renewal to only checked-out materials or typical “spring cleaning.” Reengage your mind with self-improvement, mental health, career-oriented and educational resources at the library. Refresh your home and garden with our books on decluttering, framed art lending library and Master Gardener workshops. Recommit to eco-friendly living through upcycling events and zero-waste ideas. Reactivate your body and reach health and fitness goals with StoryWalks, workout DVDs and in-branch classes. Whichever facets of your life you’re inspired to renew this spring, let the library help you learn the why’s and how’s of pursuing those goals — or help you discover new ideas to explore. Read through this issue of Branch Out to learn about the clubs, programs, materials and other opportunities available to support renewal of your mind, body, environment and more, now and in all seasons of life. Renewal Resources Throughout the magazine we share many ways you can renew passions, find new ones, jump start creativity, discover new perspectives, learn new skills and more using library resources — starting with the options listed here. Newspapers Replenish your news and current events awareness. The library’s US Major Dailies database provides free access to the five most respected U.S. national and regional newspapers, including The New York Times and Washington Post, co-exclusive access to The Wall Street Journal and exclusive access to the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. Visit search.proquest.com to start reading. Career and Business If your 2020 goals include career growth or business projects, the library’s research guides are a great place to start your planning and preparation: Visit the Job Seekers and Business guides to find collections of resources for job-hunting, skill development, test prep, industry insights, market research, grant opportunities and more. The Tax Information guide will help you navigate that process and ensure you can focus more time and energy elsewhere this spring. Home and Auto Got renovations or repairs on your to do list? Do it yourself with the help of the library’s Home Improvement Reference Center and AutoMate databases. Home Improvement Reference Center offers information and instructions — including how-to videos and full-text selections from books and magazines — on home improvement and repair projects including plumbing, wiring, painting and decorating. AutoMate provides DIY car repair info on most makes and models as far back as 1954, including manuals, service bulletins and diagrams.

Rendering of the future Lorton Library and Lorton Community Center building

Lorton Library Closing for Renovation April 11, 2020

February 25, 2020

Lorton Library, a branch of the Fairfax County Public Library, is expected to close for renovation at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 11. Renovations to the branch are expected to take a minimum of 21 months. “The renovation of Lorton Library – as well as the co-location of other county resources – will help us better serve our community,” said Jessica Hudson, Director of the Fairfax County Public Library. The footprint of the renovated branch will be 60% larger than its current 10,000 square feet, and the layout will be more efficient for customer use. Infrastructure will be updated to meet modern technology requirements, and building systems nearing the end of service life will be renewed. The building design will meet Fairfax County green building and Americans with Disabilities standards and be completed to achieve LEED® Silver certification. In addition to energy-saving features, the library will have an expanded children’s space, a teen room with gaming station, a Wi-Fi/laptop bar and other seating areas for wireless device users, group study rooms, two conference rooms and a meeting room available for before and after-hours use. Unique to the Lorton Library branch will be its co-location with the Lorton Community Action Center and the brand-new Lorton Community Center, which will include a senior center, teen space, sensory room, art room and gymnasium. The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is managing design and construction of the new shared facility. “I envision the new site to be an inviting and engaging place where all of us will feel a sense of community and wellbeing – the basis for building even stronger connections with our neighbors. At my urging, we were able to accelerate the Lorton Library renovation and combine these two resources to provide a truly modern 21st century community center with education, recreation and support services. Completing these two projects in coordination will save the County over $1 million,” said Dan Storck, Fairfax County Supervisor for the Mount Vernon District. The Lorton Library, originally called the “Lorton Mini Library,” first opened in Williamsburg Square as a storefront location in 1980. The current library at 9520 Richmond Highway in Lorton opened its doors in April 1990. Lorton Library as a storefront circa 1989.

Fairfax County Public Library Launches “Common Ground” Campaign

February 24, 2020

Throughout 2020 Fairfax County Public Library’s “Common Ground” campaign will explore the concepts of community, civic engagement and American politics to help county residents rediscover that we have more in common with each other than we realize. “The country is currently focused on ideological differences rather than the many values that we share. The library is for the entire community and encourages civil discussion on tough topics,” said Library Director Jessica Hudson. “We invite the entire Fairfax community to join us to remember how to listen to differing viewpoints and look for the common ground, which is almost always there.” Four system-wide events are the core of the campaign, with library branches planning localized lectures and workshops. Selected books, articles, databases and websites will be shared throughout the year to enhance the exploration of issues on which community members and Americans in general can find common ground. Registration is appreciated for all events. Making Sense of the Census (postponed) Chris Martin, historian at the U.S. Census Bureau, will share surprising stories of the census’ past, from the impact of the Civil War to the challenges of early computer systems. Count on a revealing look at the why’s and how’s of accounting for the nation’s population. A Political Party (postponed) Bill Schneider, a U.S. political analyst dubbed “the nation’s electionmeister” by The Washington Times, will provide an overview of the major U.S. political parties. No cakes or lampshades required. The Electoral College: Necessity or Nuisance? Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m. at Kings Park Library. Dr. Jeremy Mayer, associate professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, will demystify the electoral college and explain its role in U.S. elections. Redistricting, or Why is My Congressional District Shaped Like a Seahorse? June (date and location TBD) This workshop will focus on the complexities of redistricting: What is it? Who draws the lines? When does it happen? Why is it such a big deal? To find more Common Ground events filter by the “Common Ground” category in the library calendar.

Black History Month header graphic featuring influential African Americans

Celebrating Black History at the Library

January 30, 2020

Honor and explore the pasts, presents and futures of African Americans with free library programs and events. During Black History Month, which is celebrated in February, and beyond, Fairfax County Public Library branches are hosting free events and programs for all ages that highlight and explore the deep and diverse history and invaluable contributions and achievements of African Americans. From author talks and history lectures to movies, performances and more, a wide range of programs are taking place throughout the next few months. Plus, February's Outstanding Reads recommendations from our Collections staff focus on Black authors and stories — read them on FairfaxTimes.com. Check out the highlights of the schedule below. Asterisk (*) indicates registration required. For a full list of events, view the library’s online calendar. Consider the Census As the 2020 census approaches, the library is focusing on the importance of census records not only to determining funding for our public institutions, but also to tracing family histories — including those of African Americans. Visit the library’s Virginia Room, located in the City of Fairfax Regional Library, to discover historic photographs and census records of African American residents of the county. The Virginia Room maintains a collection—including maps, an extensive photographic archive, local newspapers and yearbooks, manuscript collections and rare books—documenting the historical record of the people, associations, events and places of Fairfax County, Virginia. Researchers can also use print holdings and online databases to research genealogy from all 50 states. Find booklists for African American family and cultural history in our genealogy research guide.

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