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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Libby Officially Replaces OverDrive App

OverDrive app logo on the left, Libby app logo on the right, arrow in between pointing at the Libby app logo

Digital content distributor OverDrive is removing its legacy app "OverDrive" from the Apple App Store, Google Play and the Microsoft Store this month in preparation for the app’s full retirement. Libby, the OverDrive replacement app released several years ago, is now the primary mobile access.

Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) cardholders who are using the OverDrive app can continue using the installed legacy version until its full retirement. FCPL recommends downloading Libby to ensure uninterrupted access to FCPL digital content. Both apps can run concurrently on one device.

Libby offers several convenient features, elegantly handles multi-card households, includes easy navigation in ten different languages, and has more accessibility support than the OverDrive app.

Amazon for Fire has not yet approved the Libby app for users; the OverDrive app remains in the Amazon Appstore for the short term. Read more about why they are making the change.

verDrive app logo on the left, Libby app logo on the right, arrow in between pointing at the Libby app logo Read full article February 9, 2022 /library/sites/library/files/Assets/images/news/OverDrive%20to%20Libby%20App%20-%20FB.png 0
Celebrate Love Literacy at Your Local Library

Blind Date with a Book

This month, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) is celebrating Love Literacy as part of its Year of Literacy.

Looking for something new to read but not sure what to choose? Go on a Blind Date With a Book! Choose a book based on just a few details at the Great Falls branch through Feb. 14, at Sherwood Regional Library through Feb. 15, and at the George Mason Regional and Thomas Jefferson libraries all month.

At the Tysons-Pimmit Regional branch, fall in love with a good book in the book displays for Chocolate Lovers’ Month and for Book Lovers.

In the mood for romance? At the Patrick Henry branch, Kindle (or Rekindle) a Romance with Romances with a curated variety of romance titles wrapped to surprise you. At Chantilly Regional Library, explore the “What's Your Tropetonite?” book display to choose from a variety of romance books labeled with their main tropes.

Check out a librarian-curated list of titles related to love!

February is also Library Lovers’ Month! At the Reston Regional branch, library lovers of all ages can pen something for the branch’s Library Love Notes Tree through Feb. 18.

Want to creatively express your love? At the Oakton branch, pick up Take & Make Valentine Love Bugs through Feb. 14, or register for City of Fairfax Regional Library’s Intergenerational Puzzle Piece Hearts activity taking place Feb. 12. Children can pick up a Take It and Make It Valentine Goody Bag at Reston Regional Library Feb. 8-12.

Just pining for some “me” time? Pick up a Spa Day from Home handout from the Centreville Regional branch to get tips for pampering yourself.

Blind date with a book Read full article February 4, 2022 /library/sites/library/files/Assets/images/news/Blind%20Date%20With%20a%20Book%20FB_0.png 0
Kick Off FCPL's 2022 Year of Literacy With Book Clubs in January

Celebrate Literacy with Book Clubs in January, 2022 FCPL Year of Literacy

The first month of Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) 2022 Year of Literacy is devoted to a celebration of general literacy. Book clubs are a wonderful way to share a love of literacy. This year, some new book clubs join the list of tried-and-true favorites. Browse the options; we have book clubs to appeal to all ages and interests, to those who are ready to make new friends in person, and those who prefer to meet virtually!

For Adults

The Point of View (P.O.V.) Book Club meets monthly at Sherwood Regional Library in Alexandria. Discover new points of view by reading authors from varying backgrounds and with varying perspectives. Selections include fiction and nonfiction. For adults. No registration required.

The Nonfiction Book Club meets monthly at Sherwood Regional Library in Alexandria. This new group will discuss recent nonfiction books on various topics. Its first meeting will focus on The Velvet Rope Economy: How Inequality Became Big Business by Nelson Schwartz. Copies are available to pick up at Sherwood Regional Library on the events table, and this title is also available as an eAudiobook through Libby.

Travel the world from your couch with the Read Global Book Group! Meet with fellow travelers virtually each month to discuss books set in various locales across the globe.

The Sherwood Novel Book Group meets monthly at Sherwood Regional Library in Alexandria. This month, the group is reading The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis and in February will be reading The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult.

Currently held virtually, the Book Talk for Book Lovers hosted by Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library promises lively discussion each month.

The Online Classic Books Discussion meets on a Thursday afternoon once a month to join writer/scholar Amanda Holmes Duffy in discussion of a classic novel. 

For the Amateur Detective

The Mystery Book Club meets in person at FCPL’s Chantilly Regional branch and delves into a different mystery novel each month.

Join in the monthly unraveling of a whodunit or thriller one Wednesday afternoon each month with the Mystery Book Club at Oakton Library.

Love mysteries but don’t want to venture out? We have an Online Mystery Book Club that meets monthly!

For School-age Children

The American Girl Book Club meets virtually each month to talk about the beloved history series. Dolls are invited, but not required!

Don’t want to read solo? Children ages 6 to 12 can join the Read-Along Book Club to enjoy a live reading of that day’s chapters with Ms. Sara. This group is great for English Language Learning (ELL) students.

For Teens

Fairfax teens are invited to join us virtually for our Teen PRIDE Book Club, which meets each month to discuss a book with LGBTQA+ themes.

Join other readers aged 12 to 18 each month at Herndon Fortnightly Library for its Teen Book Club.

For English Language Learners

Practice your English with other English Language Learners each month in Falls Church at Thomas Jefferson Library's ELL Book Club. Can’t make it to Falls Church? Join our virtual ELL Book Club once a month!

2022 FCPL's Year of Literacy Read full article January 11, 2022 /library/sites/library/files/Assets/images/news/YoL_square.png 0
Public Catalog Unavailable 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 2

FCPL staff members are performing an upgrade of the integrated library system (ILS), on Tuesday, Nov. 2. The ILS manages, integrates and centralizes many core library functions and services. Because of this upgrade, the public catalog will be unavailable to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day. Cardholders will not be able to access item searches or account information, place holds or pay fees during this time period.

FCPL hopes to minimize the impact to cardholders by scheduling the upgrade on Nov. 2, when all FCPL branches are closed for the county's Election Day holiday.

Public catalog offline Nov. 2 Read full article October 28, 2021 /library/sites/library/files/Assets/images/catalog_upgrade_fb_ig_post_0.png 0
Seven Tips for a Successful School Year

Did you know the library can help students study, write reports and do homework? Let us be your partner in academic success! Use these seven tips to maximize your learning this school year with services and resources available for free from Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL).

Tip #1 - Get support and guidance from library staff.

a girl in a gray shirt with black hair in a pony tail stands at the library info desk talking to a library staff member behind the desk You are not alone at the library — or wherever you are with internet access or a mobile device! Library staff are trained to help students find legitimate information sources in branch and online, including historical newspapers, speeches, reference databases, trusted websites and more.

Tip #2 - Take advantage of free tutoring sessions.

While the library does not provide tutoring services, we can connect you with them — including virtual and in-branch sessions!

  • a man and boy both wearing masks sit at a table discussing an assignment on a piece of paperBrainfuse HelpNow, a new FCPL resource available beginning Sept. 1, 2021, provides live, online tutoring and homework help for students in grades K-12. Tutors are available to meet virtually in English and Spanish every day after 4 p.m. A library card is required to use HelpNow outside the library.
  • Students in grades K-6 can also sign up for GIVE tutoring sessions hosted in multiple branches weekends throughout the academic year. High school student volunteers with Growth and Inspiration through Volunteering and Education (GIVE) provided the tutoring.
Tip #3 - Access 24/7 homework help online.

The library's Homework Resources guide is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help you find free resources to explore new ideas and get help with homework topics.

a young man sits at a library desk with two laptops open in front of him and a hand held pensively to his chin

a shelf in the Virginia Room library holding rows of local yearbooksTip #4 - Find books, magazines and newspapers.

Whether you’re studying classics, history, current events or any other subject, with a library card you have at your fingertips more than 2.3 million items in the library's collection of digital and physical materials.

Tip #5 - Check out library items with just your name — and no fines!

FCPL provides all Fairfax County Public Schools students in pre-K through grade 12 with a fine-free public library virtual account called a Library Equity Access Pass (LEAP). All you need is your name to check out physical materials at a branch, and you can check out up to three items at a time for six weeks each.

Tip #6 - Use library resources to prep for fall SATs and ACTs.

Several different online sources offer test preparation for SAT, ACT, AP and SOL exams. Start with LearningExpress Library for a wide range of options (library card required).

a young woman wearing a mask points over the shoulder of another young woman wearing a mask and sitting at a library desktop computerTip #7 - Access free Wi-Fi and computers.

Whether you have your own device or not, simply log in to do just about any online research and project preparation needed for school assignments.

  • Bring your own laptop, tablet or mobile device and connect to free Wi-Fi from inside any branch and even from outside many of them. As of April 2021, all public branches without parking garages have expanded exterior wireless access.
  • Can't bring your own hardware? Use ours! The library offers more than 400 public computers at our branches, all equipped with Microsoft Office apps, internet access and printing and scanning capabilities.
a young man sits at a library desk with two laptops open in front of him and a hand held pensively to his chin Read full article August 26, 2021 /library/sites/library/files/Assets/images/news/6-tips-3-homework-help-online_thumbnail.jpg 0
Register for the September Josh Bell Book Club Meeting

Fairfax County Public Library is excited to announce registration is open for the fifth meeting of Josh Bell’s Book Club, a partnership between FCPL and the Washington Nationals. Library cardholders can now register for the book discussion with Josh Bell to be held virtually Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. Check out September's book Master the Media by Julie Smith.

Make sure to register with the email address that is associated with your Zoom account. Register now!

Nationals fans, book lovers and anyone exploring self-improvement, seeking out good, or pursuing progress: Josh Bell's Book Club is for you. Bell has has purposefully chosen books for his club that offer concepts, mindsets and inspiration for being and becoming better. Books – Betterment – Progress is a continuum: we can learn through books, we can become better and we can achieve progress.

Each month Bell will announce another book in this season-long series. Read the book and join Bell and librarians from FCPL and Prince George's County Memorial Library in engaging discussions about what resonated. Check back often to register for the virtual book discussions and to see which books are next in this series.

We and Josh Bell look forward to seeing you on Sept. 17!

Register now!

 

 

Josh Bell Book Club Read full article August 19, 2021 /library/sites/library/files/Assets/images/news/21-0242_JBSept_Email.jpg 0
Register for the August Josh Bell Book Club Meeting

Fairfax County Public Library is excited to announce registration is open for the fourth meeting of Josh Bell’s Book Club, a partnership between FCPL and the Washington Nationals. Library cardholders can now register for the book discussion with Josh Bell to be held virtually Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. Check out August's book Grit Factor: 15 attributes to doing life better by Logan Stout.

Make sure to register with the email address that is associated with your Zoom account. Register now!

Nationals fans, book lovers and anyone exploring self-improvement, seeking out good, or pursuing progress: Josh Bell's Book Club is for you. Bell has has purposefully chosen books for his club that offer concepts, mindsets and inspiration for being and becoming better. Books – Betterment – Progress is a continuum: we can learn through books, we can become better and we can achieve progress.

Each month Bell will announce another book in this season-long series. Read the book and join Bell and librarians from FCPL and Prince George's County Memorial Library in engaging discussions about what resonated. Check back often to register for the virtual book discussions and to see which books are next in this series.

We and Josh Bell look forward to seeing you on Aug. 15!

Register now!

 

 

Josh Bell Book Club Read full article July 23, 2021 /library/sites/library/files/Assets/images/news/21-0242_JBAug_Email%5B4%5D_0.jpg 0
Behind the Scenes at FCPL: The Intern Experience

A local aspiring librarian shares his story of working in a branch while pursuing his Master of Library Science degree.

By Dylan Wokeck, Intern, Richard Byrd Library (January-April 2021)


library intern Dylan with dark hair and glasses stands in front of library shelves of books and holds a photo of his grandmotherFacilitating Reading and Learning

Interning at a library is an enlightening experience offering unique rewards if you have the mindset to receive them. When I began my internship at Richard Byrd Library in late January, FCPL branches were closed to the public and offering users full access to the physical collection through curbside pickup of items placed on hold.

Most days I saw our list of holds exceed 150, and some days it was more than 200. These items had to be hunted down throughout the library, scanned into the computer system, have a sticker placed on them, and put on our hold shelf or transferred to other libraries.

Every moment of this was exciting. These holds meant that people were using the library, even during a pandemic! The work I was doing was facilitating reading and learning. You may not know why someone is checking out something from the library, but you know that you are improving some aspect of their life by getting it to them.

Offering In-Person Support

My experience was made all the better once the library buildings reopened to the public. It started as a trickle of visitors, but it was still wonderful to see people return to the branch. Not only could I collect holds, but Library Information Assistant Anne Sinclair and Branch Manager Valerie Suttee helped train me also to answer all of our visitors’ questions.

I still have a lot to learn — and helping readers find new titles they may enjoy takes a lot of practice — but these two FCPL staff members and everyone else at Richard Byrd have provided exceptional support in my preparation to become a librarian on my own.

A Legacy of Library Service

Before she passed away, my grandmother told me she worked as a library page at Richard Byrd Library around 1959. While she didn’t stay in the library for her career, she did continue to help people by providing home health and hospice care. I may not be going into the medical field, but I am following partially in her footsteps and looking forward to working in a position dedicated to helping others.

Dylan graduated from East Carolina University (Greenville, N.C.) in May 2021 with his Master of Library Science (MLS) degree and continues to volunteer at Richard Byrd Library.

Dylan Wokeck Read full article July 20, 2021 /library/sites/library/files/Assets/images/news/dylan_edit_0.jpg 0
Registration Now Open for July meeting of Josh Bell's Book Club

Josh Bell Book ClubFairfax County Public Library is excited to announce registration is open for the third meeting of Josh Bell’s Book Club, a partnership between FCPL and the Washington Nationals. Library cardholders can now register for the second book discussion with Josh Bell to be held virtually July 18 at 7 p.m. Check out July's book After the Rain: Gentle Reminders for Healing, Courage, and Self-Love by Alexandra Elle,

Make sure to register with the email address that is associated with your Zoom account. Register now!

Nationals fans, book lovers and anyone exploring self-improvement, seeking out good, or pursuing progress: Josh Bell's Book Club is for you. Bell has has purposefully chosen books for his club that offer concepts, mindsets and inspiration for being and becoming better. Books – Betterment – Progress is a continuum: we can learn through books, we can become better and we can achieve progress.

Each month Bell will announce another book in this season-long series. Read the book and join Bell and librarians from FCPL and Prince George's County Memorial Library in engaging discussions about what resonated. Check back often to register for the virtual book discussions and to see which books are next in this series.

We and Josh Bell look forward to seeing you on July 18!

Josh Bell Book Club Read full article June 24, 2021 /library/sites/library/files/Assets/images/news/JB_Book%20Club_July_Twitter%26IG_0.jpg 0
Registration Now Open for June Meeting of Josh Bell's Book Club

Josh Bell Book ClubFairfax County Public Library is excited to announce registration is open for the second meeting of Josh Bell’s Book Club, a partnership between FCPL and the Washington Nationals. Library cardholders can now register for the second book discussion with Josh Bell to be held virtually June 13 at 7 p.m. Check out June's book, Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven.

Make sure to register with the email address that is associated with your Zoom account. Register now!

Nationals fans, book lovers and anyone exploring self-improvement, seeking out good, or pursuing progress: Josh Bell's Book Club is for you. Bell has has purposefully chosen books for his club that offer concepts, mindsets and inspiration for being and becoming better. Books – Betterment – Progress is a continuum: we can learn through books, we can become better and we can achieve progress.

Each month Bell will announce another book in this season-long series. Read the book and join Bell and librarians from FCPL and Prince George's County Memorial Library in engaging discussions about what resonated. Check back often to register for the virtual book discussions and to see which books are next in this series.

We and Josh Bell look forward to seeing you on June 13!

Josh Bell Book Club Read full article May 27, 2021 /library/sites/library/files/Assets/images/news/JB_Book%20Club_Twitter%26IG_0.jpg 0
Fairfax Virtual Assistant