Library

Did you know that John Tyler had 15 kids? Or that Warren Harding wore a size 14 shoe? Whether or not you’re a presidential history buff, the library has many resources for Presidents Day.

The library will be closed on Monday, February 18, in honor of George Washington Day (which is what the Commonwealth of Virginia officially calls Presidents Day—Washington was born in Virginia, after all). But there are still ways you can celebrate the day with the library.

1. Read Up on Presidential History

There’s no shortage of historical nonfiction about American presidents. The library has more than 2,800 books about American presidents in its catalog. Need to narrow it down? Here’s a suggested biography of every single U.S. president. From Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow to Lincoln by David Herbert Donald, many award-winning titles are represented.

There are also several presidential biographies available as eBooks, from Calvin Coolidge to Ronald Reagan. Using your library card, you can check these eBooks out online at any time through the library’s digital collections on OverDrive.

Prefer your presidents in fictional form? There’s also the themed book list of Fictitious Presidents and Events. You’ll find plenty of Tom Clancy presidential thrillers but also the Man Booker prize-winning novel, Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders.

2. Conduct Presidential Research of Your Own

If all of the presidential books above have you inspired to launch your own research effort, the library offers access to online databases for all library card holders.

Biography in Context offers resources for every American president, including websites, academic journal articles, news stories, videos, images, primary source documents and more.

You can search several different online newspapers to read news accounts about presidential events and news. The Washington Post archives go back to 1987 and The New York Times dates back to 1980. An historical archive exists for both papers, with Post coverage back to 1877 and Times coverage dating back to 1851.

3. Attend an Event About Presidents from Virginia

Don’t miss a chance to hear from a historian, archaeologist and author in person. Richard Byrd Library will be hosting Patrick O’Neill on Monday, February 25, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. He will be talking about the birthplaces and homes of the eight Virginia-born presidents at Virginia’s Presidential Homes.

4. Help the Kids with Their Presidents Day Homework

Of course there are many Presidents Day resources available for kids, too. Many titles are available in the branches to teach children about the history behind the holiday and even more are available on George Washington or Abraham Lincoln.

Plus, kids can read more about their favorite presidents online through the library’s subscription to Scholastic Go! There, children can see articles, images and videos on American presidents. The Gale Virtual Reference Library also offers resources on American presidents.

In FY2017 the library’s 23 branches, including *Access Services branch and the **Virginia Room, provided $244.5 million in resources and services to county residents, including educational programs and materials, events, digital media and research databases.

For every one dollar invested in the Fairfax County Public Library, the community receives $6.51 in the form of access to resources, programming, services and technology. This figure was calculated by dividing the total value of library resources and services delivered ($244.6 million) by the FCPL FY2017 full budget of $37.6 million.

The value of library materials and services was determined using a Value Calculator based on the American Library Association’s (ALA) Library Value Calculator, average estimated valuations for books and digital media by other large library systems, and by input from its staff collections experts.

Below are examples of library programs and resources that are improving the quality of life for library customers.

A Diverse, Well-Rounded Collection Available in Varied Formats and Languages

FCPL circulates more than 10 million physical items and more than 1.5 million electronic items each year with the latter number continually growing.

According to data collected for FY2017, 3.45 million adult books were borrowed at a value of $58.76 million; 395,078 young adult books borrowed ($4.74 million value); 5.53 million children’s books borrowed ($94.02 million value); 1.52 million eBooks and eAudiobooks downloaded ($22.92 million value); 197,539 audiobooks borrowed ($2.56 million value); and 5,938 Interlibrary Loan items borrowed ($148,450 value).

Among fairfax county’s nearly 1.2 million residents, almost 40 percent speak a language other than english at home. The library offers books and periodicals for adults and children in multiple languages.

The library also offers storytime programs in languages other than English as well as bi-lingual conversational classes and language learning classes.

Sensory storytimes designed for children on the autism spectrum or with sensitivity to sensory overload are also available.

Early Literacy: Springboard to Success

Early literacy is part of the library’s strategic emphasis on expanding literacy across all age groups and ethnicities. In FY 2017, 34,528 children attended early literacy programs at a $414,336 value. Early literacy outreach staff and volunteers visited approximately 169 locations (Head Start classrooms, family child care homes and child care centers/preschools) averaging 220 storytimes per month. Library staff and volunteers gave 32,090 books to children, thanks to funding from the Fairfax Library Foundation. 

Technology contributes to the library’s early literacy program. Nine AWE literacy stations are installed at nine branches, featuring over 4,000 localized learning activities designed specifically for 2-8 year-old patrons.

More than 27,000 kids participated in the library’s Summer Reading Adventure in 2018.

The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten (a nationwide) program is designed to support early literacy, family bonding and school readiness. It aims to help caregivers prepare children for one of life’s big milestones: kindergarten. Studies have shown that reading to children from birth strengthens their language skills and builds their vocabulary. A child can register for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten at any library branch after reading or listening to 25 books. To date, 8,543 children have read or had read to them 25 to 1,000 books. A total of 1,229 have read 500 or more books and 636 have completed the 1,000 books milestone.

Dynamic Partnerships Maximize Impact

The library is partnering with the Fairfax County Public School system to ensure that every student in the county has a library card, and to support early literacy and the No Kid Hungry program.

The library partners with the Department of Motor Vehicles to host DMV CONNECT and DMV2Go making DMV services more accessible for county residents, while the DMV displays library posters in their offices to encourage family members to sign-up for library cards. The library is also working with Fort Belvoir to make it easier for area military families to get library cards.

Thanks to the Library of Virginia and a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the library loans free nature-themed backpacks that enable kids of all ages to enjoy the outdoors and learn about nature and science. The 32 backpacks contain a parking pass to Virginia’s 36 state parks, pocket guides to plants, a dip net and magnifying lens, a port-a-bug field observation container, star charts and other useful items.

Technology That Empowers

The library provides free access to information of all types in a wide range of formats. As mentioned, the value calculator includes figures for eBooks and eAudiobooks. In FY2017, the library provided access to 438,890 hours of computer use ($5.27 million value), 1.94 million database searches ($38.65 million value), and 19 STEAM educational kits ($760). Fairfax County Public Library is one of only 49 libraries nationwide to loan over 1 million eBooks in 2016.

Free Wi-Fi at every branch is a valuable library service, particularly since not all households in the county have internet service. Online catalogs, card-swipe payments and self-help kiosks all streamline the customer experience. Printing services are available from library workstations and personal wireless devices. Cardholders can also send print jobs from their laptop or desktop computers at home and pick them up at a local library branch. Four branches provide 3D printing.

The library provides technology to engage youth and support creativity and innovation. Two branches currently offer teen gaming stations and a third will soon join the ranks. Hands-on events with drones, Sphero-programmable robot balls, Arduinos and snap-circuits are popular. Many branches offer coding classes, maker camps and other types of tech training.

Customers can use the Memory Depot equipment at the City of Fairfax Regional Library and Sherwood Regional Library to digitize photographic prints, negatives, slides and VHS video cassettes.

Other Library Services

Traditional reference services are also included in the value calculator. Librarians provide access to reliable information on almost any topic. Fairfax County Public Library information staff provided an estimated 731,363 hours of reference service in FY2017 ($6.58 million value).

An estimated 50,812 adults attended library programs, such as author book talks, historian-led lectures, health care seminars and financial literacy workshops ($762,180 value). Approximately 13,788 teens attended library programs on topics such as sharpening test-taking skills, resume preparation, job interviewing and book clubs ($165,456 value). 151,249 kids attended storytimes, science and math workshops and themed arts and crafts ($1.059 million value).

The library provides free meeting space to non-profit organizations and individuals for educational, cultural and informational community meetings and programs. In FY2017, meeting room use totaled 135,701 hours ($3.39 million value).

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*The Access Services branch removes barriers to library services for people with disabilities. Its many services include: providing opportunities to learn about assistive technology and equipment, offering books in alternative formats to people with vision impairments and delivering books to readers who cannot visit a local library.

**The Virginia Room, located on the second floor of the City of Fairfax Regional Library, collects and preserves local history resources and provides a broad array of genealogical resources.

When the renovated John Marshall Library opens it will house 44,000 items in its 14,700-square-foot space. Consider how far we’ve come since John Marshall first opened in 1963 in a 2,450-square-foot storefront with only 6,000 books. The current building, located at 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria, opened in 1975.

“We’ve missed our library,” said Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay, who will officially open the branch with a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. on Oct. 27. “I’m so excited for the community to see the major renovations that have taken place and be able to experience this wonderful new space firsthand. Between the new meeting spaces and all the natural light, this is truly an environmentally-friendly building of which we can all be proud.”

Visitors to the newly renovated branch will have access to 12 public computers, a group study room for six, and multiple meeting spaces for up to 56 participants. With two additional conference rooms, the space has been renovated for community meetings and usage specifically in mind. The meeting rooms and conference rooms are available for use after hours. Younger customers can enjoy the teen gaming center, an early literacy station and a bright and cheerful children’s alcove.

The building’s infrastructure has been updated to meet the needs of today’s technology. The renovated branch offers charging stations, a Wi-Fi bar and additional electrical sockets and USB ports.

All are invited to enjoy the day-long festivities on the 27th.

10 a.m.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

11 a.m.
123 Andrés Show (music and dance for kids)

11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Face Painting and Glitter Tattoos
Technology Open House—Learn about 3D printing, Spheros, Google Cardboard and Button Making

12:30 p.m.
Music by Ritorno a Musica with light refreshments

1 p.m.
Storytime “We’ve got Monsters!” Costumes encouraged!

The $6.3 million renovation was funded through a bond referendum approved by Fairfax County voters in 2012. The Capital Facilities Division of Fairfax County's Department of Public Works and Environmental Services oversaw the project from design to completion. Bowie Gridley Architects completed the design with Sorensen Gross Company overseeing construction. The building is the newest green building in Fairfax County designed to meet LEED Silver certification. Green features include LED lighting with photo sensors and occupancy sensors to reduce energy consumption and efficient HVAC and plumbing.

For directions and hours of operation visit the John Marshall Library webpage.

1. Learn a new language with Mango Languages
2. Prepare for the SAT with Learning Express
3. Search the millions of items in the online catalog
4. Use the WiFi or a public computer
5. Learn how to navigate the Internet
6. Get book recommendations from My Perfect Read
7. Use reliable, kid-friendly resources to do homework
8. Check out books in large print for easier reading
9. Trace your family tree
10. Get picture books for storytelling at home
11. Create a resume and apply for jobs online
12. Bring your child to Storytime and meet other parents
13. Have your children participate in our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program
14. Receive weekly email updates to see what’s happening at your library
15. Check out a Nature Backpack and gain free admission to any state park
16. Reserve a meeting room for your nonprofit group
17. Attend an interesting lecture by a local historian
18. Shape up with an exercise video
19. Consult consumer guides to decide what insurance, tablet, computer, car or washing machine to buy
20. Join a book discussion group or check out a book discussion kit for your own book club.
21. Borrow a thermal camera to check your home or business for hot and cold spots
22. Attend an English Conversation Group to improve your English Language skills
23. Download eBooks, eAudiobooks and magazines from anywhere with Overdrive
24. Learn how to help your child gain early literacy skills
25. Get help from the ultimate search engine – a librarian

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.

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!

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.

1. Browse through the reader advisor profiles.
2. Find an advisor who matches your interests.
3. 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.

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.

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. 

BURKE, VA – The Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees and community members gathered on Wednesday, Oct. 12 to celebrate the library’s Friends groups and recognize members nominated by their peers for their service. This year’s Friends’ Choice Awards took place at Kings Park Library and featured a program honoring 25 individuals and one community group for their support of the library and its mission.

During the event, Board of Trustees Chair Brian Engler praised the Friends groups for their contributions to the library over the last year. “Together, the groups donated more than $430,000 from July 2021 to June 2022,” he said. These funds have been and continue to be used to support library programming, enhance the digital materials collection and provide opportunities for staff and volunteers such as scholarships and registration for professional organizations.

Engler also spent time 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:

• Stan Gowin, Access Services Advisory Group
• Sandy Neuzil, Access Services Advisory Group
• Mary Ellen Hurley, Friends of Burke Center Library
• Sharon Gottovi, Friends of Centreville Regional Library
• Cathy Pluchinsky, Friends of Centreville Regional Library
• Virginia Uliana, Friends of City of Fairfax Regional Library
• Lynn Peterson Mobley, Friends of Great Falls Library
• Bonnie Ketch, Friends of Kings Park Library
• Makayla Adams, Friends of Kingstowne Library
• Katherine Varela, Friends of Kingstowne Library
• Willow Martin, Friends of Oakton Library
• Cindy Richards, Friends of Pohick Regional Library
• Laura Stokowski, Friends of Pohick Regional Library
• Eileen Evon, Friends of Reston Regional Library
• Terrill Evon, Friends of Reston Regional Library
• John France, Friends of Reston Regional Library
• Karen France, Friends of Reston Regional Library
• Beverly Greenblatt, Friends of Reston Regional Library
• Kerry Hum, Friends of Reston Regional Library
• Michael Hum, Friends of Reston Regional Library
• Charly Karlsson, Friends of Reston Regional Library
• Sujung Kim, Friends of Reston Regional Library
• Dianne Pretanik, Friends of Reston Regional Library
• Woman’s Club of Springfield, Friends of Richard Byrd Library
• Miki Wellck, Friends of Thomas Jefferson Library
• Vera Finberg, 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.