Library

Fairfax County is home to a large and thriving military community. According to an article from the county’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, which coordinates the Veteran and Military Families Commission, more than 45,000 active-duty military, selected reserve members, and an estimated 65,000 veterans live in Fairfax County. To honor these members of our community, Fairfax County Public Library will be celebrating National Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month this November. Throughout the month, library visitors can join us at branches around the county to connect with and celebrate our military neighbors with programming that includes author talks, storytimes, demonstrations and more.  

Check out a small sample of what we have planned at a library near you:    

*Please note that dates/times of the following events are subject to change. Check the event listing for the latest information.    

Blue Star Family Play Date – Sherwood Regional Library – Sunday, November 3 
Get to know your neighbors during this event is for military and civilian families to meet, craft and play together. 

Special Storytime with Sergeant Victor Melendez – Kings Park Library – Wednesday, November 6 
Make new friends, introduce perspectives of military life, and socialize with other families during this family storytime. 

Marine Corps Silent Rifle Drill Team – Centreville Regional Library – Wednesday, November 6 
Experience the precision of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon as they perform a unique precision drill exhibition, exemplifying the professionalism associated with the United States Marine Corps. 

Meet Author Lt. Col. Les Carroll – Multiple Locations – Multiple Dates (registration required) 
Listen as the author discusses the life experiences that inspired his book “This Troubled Ground.” Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A session and audience members can buy signed copies of his book.  

• Herndon Fortnightly Library – Saturday, November 9  

• Thomas Jefferson Library – Saturday, November 9 

• Chantilly Regional Library – Sunday, November 10 

Fitness Tips for Military Families – Sherwood Regional Library – Thursday, November 14 
Hear fom fitness professional and Army veteran Donna Welch as she shares her framework to help military families sustain healthy and enjoyable lifestyles. 

Celebrating Military Families – Lorton Library – Saturday, November 23 (registration required) 
Join us for a special military storytime followed by crafts and activities. All are welcome 

For a complete list of related events, visit bit.ly/FCPL_MilitaryFamilyAppeciation. 

Thanks for Being a Friend! FCPL Honors Friends of the Library Week

National Friends of the Library Week is an opportunity for Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) to thank our many Friends groups for their contributions throughout the year.  These individual groups support, assist and promote library activities for the local community. Every Friends group makes valuable contributions to the entire library, as well as their own branch. Most Friends groups hold book sales, and the proceeds are donated back to the library to help the library acquire books and equipment as well as sponsor programs and exhibits beyond the library's operating budget. 

Please watch this video message from our Acting Director Christine Jones, featuring a few of our Friends members.

Eric Carzon has been appointed director of Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL), effective Monday, Nov. 4. Carzon brings over 27 years of experience in library management, having most recently served as regional manager for Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL). He succeeds Jessica Hudson, who left the position earlier this year.

In his role at MCPL, Carzon oversaw various leadership positions, including business manager and branch manager, before advancing to regional manager. He played a significant role in launching MCPL’s first Library of Things Music in 2018, a project that expanded access to diverse resources. Additionally, he contributed to numerous capital projects aimed at enhancing library services and facilities across the region.

Carzon has been a leader on several initiatives that received national recognition. Notable among these is the Library Refresh Capital Improvements Program, which focused on modernizing library spaces to better serve community needs. He also helped establish a successful partnership with KIDMuseum, which provided innovative educational programs for local youth. 

Carzon holds master’s degrees in library information science and public management from the University of Maryland at College Park. He is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American Library Association and the Public Library Association.

Tracing back to a week-long celebration in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was officially recognized in 1988 by President Ronald Regan and honors the significant roles Hispanic/Latino Americans have planned in shaping the United States since the beginning of the county. From September 15 to October 15, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) is joining several others in celebrating the many contributions to our country made by people of Hispanic and Latino ancestry with presentations, musical performances, storytimes, crafts and more. 

Check out a small sample of what we have planned at a library near you:   

*Please note that dates/times of the following events are subject to change. Check the event listing for the latest information.   

Create a Yarn Doll – Thomas Jefferson Library – September 20-21 
Celebrate Hispanic heritage by making a Guatemalan “worry” doll out of yarn, clothes pin and other craft supplies that will be available all day on both Friday and Saturday. 

Hispanic Heritage Celebration - Herndon Fortnightly Library – Saturday, September 21 
Enjoy a traditional Bolivian dance performance featuring members of the local dance group Tinkus San Simón Filial Virgina. Then make Puerto Rican vejigante masks and watch the short documentary, “Ramona.” 

Flamenco Performance with Furia Flamenca – Culmore (Woodrow Wilson) Library – Saturday, September 21 (registration required) 
Join us for an afternoon filled with the fiery footwork and passion of flamenco through dance numbers as well as musical solos. Performers include dancers Estela Velez de Paredez and Daniel Pardez, and guitarist and singer Juan L. Romero. 

Amate Art – John Marshall Library – Monday, September 23 (registration required) 
Partake in the Mexican tradition of making and decorating tree bark paper! We'll mimic using bark paper and create art inspired by amate paintings while we learn about traditional folk art. 

Hispanic Heritage Month Trivia – Richard Byrd Library – Friday, September 27 
Test your knowledge of the achievements of Hispanic Americans in this afternoon trivia program for all ages.  

Mr. Lilo – City of Fairfax Regional Library – Saturday, September 28 
Dance along with Mr. Lilo, a singer and songwriter who has touched the lives of people with his fun, thoughtful music, as he shares a message to adults and children of all cultures to unite to build a better world for all. 

¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States – Sherwood Regional Library – Tuesday, October 22 
Hear a presentation about the inaugural exhibition of the National Museum of the American Latino. The exhibition tells our national history from the perspectives of the diverse Latinas/os who lived it. Learn more about Latino identity, immigration, historical legacies, and how Latinas and Latinos have shaped the nation. 

For a complete list of Hispanic Heritage-related events, visit bit.ly/FCPL_HispanicHeritage 

You can also celebrate by participating in our Hispanic Heritage Month Genre Bingo Challenge on Beanstack! Learn more about the challenge and sign up to participate here. 

After a brief closure to refresh the facility, Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) Reston Regional branch will welcome back cardholders and visitors when it reopens its doors to the public on Monday, September 16. During the branch’s eleven-week closure, the building underwent many necessary and important facility modernizations to ensure its longevity, including: 

• Full ADA updates and refurbishment of the main public restrooms; 

• Updates to all public and staff area lighting fixtures; 

• Replacement of carpet in key areas such as the entry way and teen area; 

• Cleaning and updates to the public meeting rooms; 

• Paint, cleaning, blind repair, etc; and 

• Replacement of the drinking fountain and addition of a bottle filling station. 

The Reston Regional staff, which had been relocated to other branches and FCPL offices during the closure, will return the week prior to the public re-opening to ensure all is ready on September 16. Upon its return to regular service, the branch will resume regular hours for FCPL’s regional branches: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday.  

FCPL thanks the public for their patience during this process. Staff looks forward to welcoming the public back and hopes many will stop in to enjoy the newly-refreshed building in addition to the same great services and programs offered by all of FCPL’s 23 branches. 

Woodrow Wilson Library is now Culmore Community Library.

In their July 10, 2024 meeting, the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to rename the Woodrow Wilson Library the Culmore Community Library.

At several Board of Trustees meetings, residents of the Mason District where the library is located testified during public comment that a name change for this branch location at 6101 Knollwood Drive, Falls Church, was desired and warranted. The Library Board recently amended its Policy P to strengthen the recommendation that “all new or renamed branch libraries shall be named for the geographical area in which they are located.” The current name of this location, Woodrow Wilson Library, did not convey its location, possibly causing confusion among FCPL users who are new to the county and the library system.

During its March 13 meeting, the Library Board then established a committee to investigate the Woodrow Wilson Library name change as requested by residents. That committee convened in May to discuss budget impacts, as well as review information gathered by local history expert Christopher Barbuschak, manager of FCPL’s Virginia Room, regarding the history of the area and possible naming conventions. The recommendation from the committee was to consider Culmore Community Library as the new name for this facility. The report was presented to the entire board as part of their June 12 board package and is publicly available on-line.

This library is located in the Culmore area of Bailey’s Crossroads. The origins of the Culmore name are traced to John N. Campbell (1898-1958) a Washington area real estate developer and building contractor. In 1947, he began construction on the first section of a planned 1,000-unit apartment complex he christened “Culmore Apartments”.  Campbell, a native of Culmore village in Londonderry, Ireland, named the project after his birthplace. Culmore comes from the Gaelic An Chúil Mhór, which means “big corner”.

In 1938, the Campbells moved to Fairfax County and rented a farm on Lee Highway in Centreville. Around this time Campbell established John N. Campbell, Inc., a building and development firm based in Arlington. Over the next decade, he built housing developments in Arlington and Fairfax. In October 1945, Campbell purchased 118 acres on Leesburg Pike near Bailey’s Crossroads from the Alexandria Water Company. He planned to build an extensive apartment project of 1,000 one- and two-bedroom units that he named Culmore Apartments. In 1949, Campbell announced he would build a $300,000 10-store shopping center on Leesburg Pike to service the Culmore Apartments. The Culmore Shopping Center opened in early 1951, and the Woodrow Wilson Library later called it home from 1961-1966.

In 1950, Campbell gave six acres of his Culmore property to Fairfax County Public Schools for the future construction of Bailey’s Elementary School which opened on September 2, 1952. To the right of the school property was an additional six acres owned by Campbell. Eventually, 1.6 acres of the property was given to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in July 1964 for the construction of the present Woodrow Wilson Library which opened in 1967. Before the Library Board voted to name the Woodrow Wilson Library in 1960, it was originally referred to as the “Culmore-Bailey’s Crossroads Library” or “Culmore-Bailey’s Library”.

This name change was reflected across the library starting September 1, 2024, but exterior signage installation is still in process. An official sign unveiling with Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez is set for October 19, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.

Tracing its origins to a Congressional Resolution in 1977, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month was officially established in 1992 to honor people of AANHPI ancestry in the United States, their history and culture, and their many contributions to our country. To celebrate, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) is hosting presentations, workshops, storytimes, crafts and more throughout the month, highlighting members of the AANHPI community and their heritage. 

Check out a small sample of what we have planned at a library near you:  

*Please note that dates/times of the following events are subject to change. Check the event listing for the latest information.    

Learn To Play the Ukulele – Lorton Library – Tuesdays, May 7-21 (registration required) 
Celebrate Hawaiian culture and learn to play the ukulele in this three-week series taught by a professional instructor from Potomac Music. Ukuleles will be provided for use in class.  

AANHPI Stories: Ginger, Bok Choy, Soy Sauce, Oh My! – Burke Centre Library – Tuesday, May 7 (registration required) 
Join cookbook author and Asian cooking expert Pat Tanumihardja as she demystifies the ingredients comprising popular Asian dishes like Pad Thai, Kung Pao chicken, Bulgogi and more. 

Tangram Puzzling – Sherwood Regional Library – Monday, May 13 (registration required) 
What can you make with only seven pieces? Design and play with your own tangram puzzles, a type of puzzle invented in China in the 3rd century. 

Batik Workshop – Thomas Jefferson Library – Friday, May 17 (registration required) 
Learn this Indonesian technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to the fabric to create exclusive patterns and designs. Participants will use this technique to create their own batik scarf. 

Intergenerational Japanese Folding Fan – City of Fairfax Regional Library – Saturday, May 18 
Embrace the diverse cultures, heritage and traditions inspired by AANHPI Heritage month as we introduce you to the history and art of the Japanese folding fan. Participants will then make and decorate your own paper folding fan. 

Sticky Fingers Cooking – Dolley Madison Library – Friday, May 24 (registration required) 
Experience an immersive experience where participants will learn to craft dishes and beverages, culminating in a shared meal and stimulating conversations on pertinent AANHPI/Jewish Heritage themes. 

Pellet Drums – John Marshall Library – Saturday, May 25 
Make some noise and learn about the pellet drum, a popular instrument used throughout East Asia. Then stick around to make one of your own with paper plates and beads 

For a complete list of AANHPI-related events, visit bit.ly/FCPL_AANHPIHeritage. 

You can also celebrate by participating in our AANHPI Genre Bingo Challenge on Beanstack! Learn more about the challenge and sign up to participate here.

RESTON, VA -- Fairfax County Public Library’s Reston Regional Library branch will close for an anticipated ten-week facility renovation this summer. The last day of service to the public will be Friday, June 28, with work beginning on Monday, July 1. This brief and necessary refresh will enhance library visitors’ experiences and complete important facility modernizations to ensure that it remains usable, clean and safe for the duration of the building’s lifespan.

Work anticipated as part of this refresh includes:

• Full ADA updates and refurbishment of the main public restrooms;
• Updates to all public and staff area lighting fixtures;
• Replacement of carpet in key areas such as the entry way and teen area;
• Cleaning and updates to the public meeting rooms;
• Paint, cleaning, blind repair, etc; and
• Replacement of the drinking fountain and addition of a bottle filling station.

Reston Regional Library staff will be shifted to other locations during this closure. While this library is closed, customers are invited to visit a nearby branch – close options include Herndon Fortnightly Library, Great Falls Library and Chantilly Regional Library. Staff can assist customers with redirecting holds for pick up at nearby locations and materials may be picked up or returned to any Fairfax County Public Library branch.  

A new Reston Regional Library facility, previously approved in a bond referendum, is moving forward and it is planned to be constructed in the next few years. Land acquisition and design of the new facility is in the development phase.

For more information on what your Fairfax County Public Library has to offer, and to find a list of library locations, please visit fairfaxcounty.gov/library.

By Fairfax County Park Authority

In celebration of Dark Skies Week, the Fairfax County Park Authority and Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) are proud to unveil a joint initiative aimed at combating light pollution: the Light Pollution Monitoring Kit. As part of the Citizen Science initiative, residents are encouraged to participate in the preservation of our night skies by contributing valuable data through this innovative program.

Light pollution affects both humans and wildlife. It obscures our view of the stars and results in wasted energy, disrupted sleep patterns and ecological disturbances. From disrupting migratory bird paths to affecting the hunting habits of nocturnal creatures, the adverse effects of light pollution are far-reaching and profound.

The Light Pollution Monitoring Kit, also known as the Dark Skies Kit, empowers citizens to fight light pollution by providing them with the tools needed to measure and monitor light levels in their communities. Starting April 2, twenty-five Light Pollution Monitoring Kits will be available as part of FCPL’s Library of Things. Kits can be placed on hold for pickup at any branch through the Fairfax County Public Library online catalog and can be borrowed for up to three weeks.

Each kit contains a Sky Quality Meter, planispheres for locating constellations in English and Spanish, instructions and a red-light flashlight, enabling users to assess the brightness of their surroundings and contribute to the ongoing effort to preserve our natural nightscapes. Participants are encouraged to report their participation on the Watch the Green Grow website.

To learn more about how you can participate in this vital initiative or to reserve a Light Pollution Monitoring Kit at a library near you, please visit the Dark Skies website.

The Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) Board of Trustees took time during their monthly meeting Wednesday, March 13 to honor several library employees with staff excellence awards.  

From Feb. 1-21, library users nominated staff members for recognition. A board committee reviewed submissions and selected 14 winners and one special mention from more than 132 nominations. The Board of Trustees read excerpts from their nominations celebrating all that they do for the people of Fairfax County. 

2024 Staff Excellence Award Winners 

Confidence Akiti, Circulation Manager at Lorton Library 

“Confidence is very professional at what he does. Whenever I need help, he attends right away to make sure I got what I need. Confidence greets me with his beautiful smile. He has a great personality. He comes and asks me if I’m okay, how am I doing and if I need help to let him know and that makes me feel good and want to come here more and let people know about this library because of him.” 

Jaqueline Consolvo, Circulation Manager at City of Fairfax Regional Library 

“As soon as I showed up at her desk, [Jackie] was quick to help me and be just as excited for me to get a library card. I haven’t had a library card since I was in elementary school and I’m excited to have had this process be so incredibly easy! Jackie was awesome!” 

Logan Counard, Youth Services Manager at Thomas Jefferson Library 

“Logan is great. Not just to me, but everyone he’s in contact with! Also, he just has a consistent pleasant personality! He will go out of his way to try to help you. Personally, he has helped me when I run into computer program issue and he seems to always know what to do or if he doesn’t, he’ll come up with a suggestion/solution.” 

Dawn Creal, Youth Services Information Assistant at Burke Centre Library 

“[Dawn] is engaging, enthusiastic, and excels at her job. Dawn is always there to greet me and my son with a smile. Not only does she remember my son’s name, which is quite impressive given the number of children that attend Burke Centre’s programs, but she also takes the time to talk to us and has developed a meaningful relationship with us.” 

Jennifer “JJ” Dickinson, Adult Services Manager at Pohick Regional Library 

“JJ has turned the Maker Space POD into a creative, fun place to make friends while also contributing to society in many ways... She diplomatically works around our diverse personalities (the POD is small and active with people who are VERY different and strong). She stays calm, fair and organized.” 

Andréa Fernandes, Youth Services Manager at Patrick Henry Library 

“Andréa's baby story times are second to none. She manages a chaotic room full of babies like a pro, and her energy is amazing. The kids LOVE her and she has such a wonderful rapport with the little ones who attend regularly. It can be intimidating to attend an event for the first time, but Andréa makes everyone feel welcome, makes expectations super clear, and creates a feeling of community.” 

Stacy Herron, Youth Services Information Assistant at Thomas Jefferson Library 

“A customer called from out of state asking for assistance after mistaking Thomas Jefferson Library for the Thomas Jefferson Museum! Stacy was patient, kind, helpful and never made the customer feel bad for contacting the wrong institution. The customer called library administration after the interaction to sing her praise!” 

Nancy Jessen, Youth Services Information Assistant at Woodrow Wilson Library 

“Nancy leads the board games on Wednesdays. My son attends every week. Nancy does a fantastic job engaging him and whoever else shows up. She cares about the kids who show up. It is such a welcome routine and great way to build community at the library. And Nancy helps make it a wonderful experience.” 

Karen Jones, Youth Services Assistant at Centreville Regional Library 

“Miss Karen’s Wednesday morning reading sessions for young kids are the best. She connects with the kids and helps them to have a cheerful positive day. Our grandson looks forward to the sessions all week ... She was organized, kind, welcoming, and absolutely FUN!” 

Dori Kim, Interlibrary Loan Manager at Technical Operations  

“Dori Kim handles the Interlibrary Loan Department. I have been using it for two years, trying to obtain obscure books and articles. Dori has had a 100% success rate. This has tremendously helped my research into the history of pre-revolutionary Russian film distribution in the United States. The books and articles I need are rare, but without them, I would have almost nothing.  I have a more well-rounded project thanks to Dori.” 

Jeanne Pecori, Information Services Librarian at Pohick Regional Library 

“[Jeanne is] so encouraging and helpful. The cheer she brings to each interaction I've had with her or witnessed is infectious in the best way. She's helped broaden and encourage my crafting skills, bolster my love for books, and positively nudged me to better myself.” 

Amery Stapleton, Assistant Branch Manager at Oakton Library 

“My children were a little rowdy after storytime and there was a line for the check out and I think [Amery] saw I was struggling. She is always very kind to my children and me when she has helped us.” 

Marta Steenstra Davis, Youth Services Information Assistant at Lorton Library 

“Ms. Marta’s storytime has changed my girls’ demeanor. Whoever has met her knows how calm but full of energy she is. She can captivate any child’s attention and keep them focused on the story. Ms. Marta has done a wonderful job in enhancing our literacy culture by providing fun, educational storytimes.” 

Irene VonHapsburg-Nagley, Youth Services Information Assistant at Herndon Fortnightly Library 

“We moved from overseas and my daughter, 3 years old, just started learning English. Irene asked one how to say hi and bye in Turkish so that my daughter feels welcome. We always come for the play time and LEGO club. Irene always has a big friendly smile that makes us love this branch so much. She’s an exceptional employee.” 

Special Mention: Staff of Centreville Library 

“After losing my life partner last year, I was frightened, lost and my whole life became an upheaval. The Centreville Regional Library Team has provided exceptional support and guidance and continues to do so, helping me to get through the most stressful and challenging time of my life. They have been here for me every step of the way and I couldn’t have made it without them.”