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

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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.


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25 Things You Can Do With Your Library Card for Free!
September 6, 2018
Learn a new language with Mango Languages Prepare for the SAT with Learning Express Search the millions of items in the online catalog Use the WiFi or a public computer Learn how to navigate the Internet Get book recommendations from My Perfect Read Use reliable, kid-friendly resources to do homework Check out books in large print for easier reading Trace your family tree Get picture books for storytelling at home Create a resume and apply for jobs online Bring your child to Storytime and meet other parents Have your children participate in our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program Receive weekly email updates to see what’s happening at your library Check out a Nature Backpack and gain free admission to any state park Reserve a meeting room for your nonprofit group Attend an interesting lecture by a local historian Shape up with an exercise video Consult consumer guides to decide what insurance, tablet, computer, car or washing machine to buy Join a book discussion group or check out a book discussion kit for your own book club. Borrow a thermal camera to check your home or business for hot and cold spots Attend an English Conversation Group to improve your English Language skills Download eBooks, eAudiobooks and magazines from anywhere with Overdrive Learn how to help your child gain early literacy skills Get help from the ultimate search engine – a librarian
students prep for SAT and ACT tests
Six Tips for a Successful School Year
August 20, 2018
1) Get Support and Guidance from Library Staff You are not alone at the library. Library staff are trained to help students find legitimate information sources online including historical newspapers, speeches, reference databases, trusted websites and more. 2) Use Library Branches to Read and Study We’ve got cozy reading nooks for reading in our branches, tables and chairs, quiet study rooms and small group study rooms. 3) Take Advantage of Free Online Tutoring Sessions with a Virginia-certified Teacher. Free Homework help is available 24/7 through the library. Students can also sign up for GIVE tutoring in multiple branches throughout the academic year. The library also has a variety of Online Resources separately tailored for Grades K-8, and for Grades 9-12. Writing a Paper? No problem. Check out “Crediting Online Resources,” where you can find the correct way to properly cite your sources. And then there’s “Homework Related Websites” categorized by subject so you can find help specific to your subject, whether economics, history, science, math and more. 4) Find Books, Magazines and Newspapers Whether you’re studying classics, history or current events, the library has over 2.2 million items in our collection including digital material and print material. 5) Use Library Resources to prep for Fall SATs and ACTs Several different online sources offer test preparation for SAT, AP, ACT and SOL exams. Visit Learning Express to get started. 6) Access Free Wi-Fi and Computers. That enables you to plug in and do just about any online research needed for school assignments. Let the library be your partner in academic success.
Kids of Any Age Can Learn to Code
August 2, 2018
Erik Missio in his post Why Kids Should Learn to Code and How to Get them Started, calls coding a “new literacy—a subject so important that every child needs to know the basics to excel in our rapidly changing world.” One tool to introduce kids to coding (also known as computer programming) is called Scratch, which was developed at MIT. Kids can program their own interactive stories, games and animations through this simple program. Scratch, “primarily designed for 8 to 16-year-olds, can also be used by people of all ages, including younger children with their parents,” according to the Scratch website. The library provides many opportunities to introduce children to coding including library programs, books and the online database Lynda.com for libraries. (Lynda.com offers thousands of instructional videos; use the search function to find one for yourself or your kids.) You can also introduce your child to Scratch from the Scratch website. “Fairfax County Public Library is committed to providing opportunities for children to learn about programming,” said Margaret Kositch, technology director. “For kids, coding is just another kind of puzzle, and there are many long-term benefits to equipping children with this problem-solving skill.”   Here are three upcoming library coding program for kids: Learn to Code: Scratch, Tuesday, August 14, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Kingstowne Library Age 8-12. Registration required. CoderDojo: Kids Learn to Code, Saturday, August 25, 1-3 p.m., Pohick Regional Library. Age 7-17. Registration required. Hour of Code: Pirate Plunder, Tuesday, September 11, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Dolley Madison Library. Age 6-12. No registration but limited to the first 20 children to arrive. Here are a few books from the library’s collection, click any book cover to place a hold: Find additional titles in the library catalog or work with library staff at your local library branch. Learning Scratch helps “young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century.” (From https://scratch.mit.edu/about/.) “The ability to code computer programs is an important part of literacy in today’s society. When people learn to code in Scratch, they learn important strategies for solving problems, designing projects, and communicating ideas.” You can learn more about why teaching kids to code is important through a Q&A with educational scholar Paul Goldberg from the nonprofit EDC and also 9 Reasons Your Child Should Learn to Code from IDTech a global company offering technology instruction. Not convinced yet? Watch this Ted Talk to learn more about the benefits of teaching children to code and then get started coding!
My Perfect Read graphic
Library Launches "My Perfect Read"
July 10, 2018
Knock. Knock. Who’s There? A fabulous book you’re going to love. Great, what’s the title? Visit My Perfect Read to discover it. My Perfect Read is a new way to access readers advisors online to get personalized book recommendations emailed to you.  Readers advisors, though always available at your local branch, will now also be just a click away online. With an estimated 175,000 books published annually in the United States, this is one way to make sure you don’t miss your next favorite book – or author. Here’s how to get started: Go to research.fairfaxcounty.gov/my-perfect-read. Browse through the reader advisor profiles. Find an advisor who matches your interests. Use the “At Your Service” tab on your advisor’s profile to connect. Your readers advisor will send you suggested titles to read. That’s it! Enjoy your books and tell a friend.
Library Board of Trustees Elects Officers
July 5, 2018
Miriam Smolen has been elected chairman of the Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees. A resident of Fairfax, Smolen has served as the Providence District representative to the board since 2015.      Miriam Smolen Fran Millhouser has been elected as the vice chairman. Millhouser, a resident of Falls Church, has served as the Mason District representative to the Board since 2015.      Fran Millhouser Their terms begin July 1, 2018, and last one year. The Library Board of Trustees is responsible for library policies and for making budget recommendations to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The 12-member volunteer Board comprises one member from each of the nine supervisory districts in Fairfax County, each appointed by the district supervisor; one member-at-large, approved by the Chairman of the Board; one member appointed by the City of Fairfax Council; and one member nominated by the School Board. Library board meetings are usually held the second Wednesday of each month (except August) at the George Mason Regional Library, located at 7001 Little River Turnpike in Annandale. Please visit the Fairfax County public meetings calendar to confirm dates and locations. For more information visit the library’s Board of Trustees page.  
Engler Named to Library Board of Trustees
July 3, 2018
Brian Engler (photo courtesy of Bruce F. Press Photography). Brian Engler of Burke has been appointed to the Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees representing the Braddock District. Engler brings a strong background of public service and leadership along with a commitment to advance learning and literacy through community outreach. Engler has served since 2012 as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Fairfax Library Foundation, and as such has spearheaded fundraising efforts directly supporting the library’s programs and resources. In another area of service to the library, he is a charter life member of the Friends of the Burke Centre Library and serves as Secretary of the Board. In this role, he supports fundraising activities—principally used book sales—and provides photographic and other support to the staff of his community library. Engler is an elected At-Large Trustee and Vice President of the Burke Centre Conservancy and a Fellow of the Military Operations Research Society. He also currently serves as a board member of the Center for Inquiry, an international non-profit dedicated to fostering a secular society based on reason, science and freedom of inquiry.  Engler’s professional career was as an officer with the U.S. Navy. Later he served as an operations research analyst in private industry. Following that, he served as Executive Vice President of the Military Operations Research Society (MORS), a national, professional, educational not-for-profit society.
thank you to our volunteers
Delegate Mark Sickles Honors Library Volunteers
April 12, 2018
Twenty-One of Your Neighbors Were Honored This Month At Fairfax County Public Library In addition to being celebrated for the number of hours given to the library, five volunteers were recognized for providing volunteer service that was deemed exceptional by library staff. The impact of volunteers on daily library services cannot be over emphasized. In calendar year 2017, 1,581 volunteers dedicated over 115,000 hours to the library. These treasured volunteers were publically recognized and applauded at the recent library board of trustees meeting by staff, trustees and Delegate Mark Sickles, who served as MC at the event. Sickles said, “Volunteers play a significant role in the library’s ability to provide the highest customer service to county residents.” Sharing a quote that he said “truly recognizes the spirit of volunteerism,” Sickles said: “‘Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.’” “‘Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.’” The following volunteers are helping build the community we all want to live in, with a strong and well-loved library that supports all residents. 2018 Volunteer Star Awardees: Exceptional Service Honorees Margaret Culyba, Burke Centre Library Jennifer Brooks, Herndon Fortnightly Library Jaimi Turgeon, Herndon Fortnightly Library Pauline Reid, Oakton Library Georgia Chirieleison, Patrick Henry Length of Service Volunteers 5,000 Hours Su Davis, Reston Regional Library 3,000 Hours Sandra Griffith, City of Fairfax Regional Library Juanita Broome, Kings Park Library 1,000 Hours John Florio, Burke Centre Library Caroline Wilkinson, Burke Centre Library Ronak Mohammed, Centreville Regional Library Diane Redmond, Centreville Regional Library Emmi Rose Ayo, Chantilly Regional Library Maggie Belsan, City of Fairfax Regional Library Anita Lopez, Kings Park Library Betty Mackenzie, Kings Park Library Yolanda Gaines, Kingstowne Library Dianne McCune, Kingstowne Library Susan Luvison, Oakton Library Leanna Bell, Patrick Henry Library Ro Hofford, Patrick Henry Library    

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