Library

ANNADALE, Va. - The Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) Board of Trustees gathered Wednesday, March 8 at George Mason Regional Library to honor the recipients of the 2023 Staff Excellence Awards.

“As a community member who is invested in the library, that we do something for the staff made a lot of sense to us,” said FCPL Board Chairman Brian Engler. “We wanted to show library love to our exemplary staff.”

From Feb. 1 through 14, library users nominated staff members for recognition. A board committee reviewed submissions and selected 12 winners and one honorable mention from more than 90 nominations. The Board of Trustees read excerpts from their nominations and celebrating all that they do for the people of Fairfax County.

“Tonight, we’re celebrating the luck of the people of Fairfax County and Fairfax City because we have such a wonderful, dedicated staff,” said Board Vice Chair Suzanne Levy. “Every branch has superstars, and I am just glad we can be here to celebrate you tonight.”

2023 FCPL Staff Excellence Award Winners

• Lee Conselatore – reader’s advisor at Access Services
• Matthew Moffett – assistant branch manager at Burke Centre Library
• Kathleen McCarthy – youth services information assistant at Herndon Fortnightly Library
• Sahadev Poudel – information assistant and tech lab coordinator at Herndon Fortnightly Library
• Keri Gould – youth services manager at John Marshall Library
• Sarah Garcia – branch manager at Woodrow Wilson Library
• Allen Zapata – youth services assistant at George Mason Regional Library
• Laura Bumgarner – circulation manager at Lorton Library
• Catherine Noonan – branch manager at Martha Washington Library
• Azar Momeni – circulation manager at Oakton Library
• Ghazala Shah – assistant circulation manager at Chantilly Regional Library
• Sharon Okrend – librarian at City of Fairfax Regional Library

Honorable Mention

• Staff of Patrick Henry Library

TYSONS, Va. - Fairfax County leaders and community members gathered at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library on Saturday, Oct. 22 for the unveiling of a bronze statue donated by a longtime employee of Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL). Promila Chhabra worked for FCPL for more than 30 years and, upon her retirement, donated the “Girl Reading” statue along with her husband Dr. Krishan Chhabra. “[Promila] was very passionate about her job and loved to help and guide the patrons,” said Krishan. “Even before her retirement, she had a great desire to do something and give back to the community as well as to the library in appreciation of their service.”

In addition to Promila and Krishan, Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust, who led the initiative for the statue’s placement at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ meetings, was also there to mark the occasion. “One of the things that really makes [Fairfax County] special is...our libraries,” he said addressing the crowd. “Thank you, Dr. and Mrs. Chhabra for your generous contribution and for your lifetime of service to the libraries.” Sujatha Hampton, FCPL Board of Trustees representative for Tysons-Pimmit branch and Dranesville District, also spoke. “When our community understands and gives back like this to our libraries in honor of the people who work in our libraries and make it special, it's so wonderful,” she said. “Especially now, when we need as much support as possible to keep our libraries open and accessible to everyone.” Jessica Hudson, FCPL director, echoed this sentiment and applauded the statue as a testament to the hardworking people who make the library possible. “This beautiful statue is just one tiny piece of a remembrance for the great services that the people who work in our library do for our community.”

“Girl Reading” was designed by sculptor Dennis Smith. The statue can be viewed in front of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library.

NORFOLK, Va. - The Virginia Library Association (VLA) recognized two Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) staff members at the organization’s awards banquet on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Sylvia Enriquez and Wilma Andrade are a part of a group of 11 recognized the ceremony honoring librarians and library staff in Virginia for their dedication and contribution to the communities they serve.

Sylvia, a youth selection and Spanish language information assistant at Technical Operations, received the Outstanding Professional Associates Award. According to the VLA website, the award is given to “a library associate who advances and strengthens the image of Professional Associates as well as fosters communication among library employees throughout the Commonwealth.” Sylvia has been with FCPL for 27 years. She has played an integral role in advocating for and developing the library’s Spanish language collections, an achievement the VLA cites as a reason she received the award.

Wilma, a library information assistant at Reston Regional Library, received the Librarian of Color Forum Award. Per the VLA website, “this award recognizes librarians who promote an inclusive, positive environment in the libraries for persons of color, and enhances the image of librarians and library professionals of color in the community." Having moved to the United States from India, Wilma understands the struggles immigrants face and made it her mission to develop programs to help them, including English language learning and U.S. citizenship classes. Even through the pandemic, she taught classes virtually and recruited other community instructors to further develop these programs. “Wilma’s work is a wonderful example of how one person’s passion to help her community can have a profound impact on removing barriers between people of color and library information and services,” said the VLA, quoting from Wilma’s nomination.

At the ceremony, Sylvia was on hand to accept her award while Kevin Osborne, Deputy Director of FCPL, accepted Wilma’s award on her behalf.

LORTON, Va – More than 1,400 community members gathered Saturday for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Lorton Community Center and Library. The facility, which features a newly renovated and expanded Lorton Library, aims to bring many important county resources to the community in one convenient location. “This facility combines services, resources, entertainment and education,” said Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck “It's all in one place for all ages and all abilities...truly the center of Lorton.”

In addition to Supervisor Storck, other county, state and federal leaders, both past and present, were on hand to mark the occasion. “Every square inch of this building, thought and energy was put into designing it in a way that it can accommodate the community's needs for such a long time,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “What I really love is when you walk through here, you'll see all the great amenities for seniors, the library, the teens and the young people in our community come together in one place . Not dividing our communities up but bringing people together in one place so that we can learn from each other.”

Former Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland, under whose tenure the early stages of this project began, addressed the crowd, saying that with the center and other developments in the community, “Lorton became a place that people have now recognized as an absolutely wonderful, wonderful place to live … Lorton, which is not a negative anymore. It's a positive. We have in this community almost everything that a vibrant community would want to have.”

One part of the ceremony enjoyed by guests on Saturday was the newly renovated Lorton Library. The rejuvenated branch makes up slightly more than one-third of the new facility, expanding from 10,000 square feet to 16,000 square feet and features multiple meeting rooms/spaces, a teen section with a gaming area, a colorful children’s area and many books and resources available for checkout.

“This library, community center and park space are really the best of what our county has to offer,” said Jessica Hudson, Fairfax County Public Library Director. “When we join our spaces together, we’re able to offer one space that you can come in and get multiple different services … we want it to be perfect for all of you.”

Also in attendance was U.S. Rep. Don Beyer who praised those who developed the facility, saying, “Thank you for creating this center … And for making these opportunities accessible to so many. It's a fundamental step to creating a healthy, active, sociable community; creating the social capital we also need, and this is all the more so after all the years of isolation and confinement with COVID.” Rep. Beyer also lauded the library specifically for providing the community with free Wi-Fi access. “We've learned that internet must be a basic human right in the 21st century,” he said. “And now so many will have a chance to reimagine and navigate their lives once we have universal broadband service.”

Following the program and ribbon cutting, Hudson, library staff and volunteers welcomed guests into the branch, where they were able to experience many different types of services offered at the library. These included arts and crafts, storytimes, 3D printing demonstrations, a musical performance by Groovy Nate and of course, book checkout.

Two community members who spoke as a part of the program best summed up the atmosphere of the day. Alicia Doe, a parent in the community who looks forward to attending the center with her children said, “This center demonstrates the impact that partners working together for the community will have on every life stage from youth, right through adult education and activities for seniors. This will benefit everyone from our community. Thank you for making this a reality for us all.” Ivan Robles, a community youth, added to this sentiment, saying “I'm happy that they have built this new center here in my community where we will have the opportunity to have more programs and a safe space to play and study.”

Lorton Library is open Monday from 1 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more about the branch and the services they offer.

OAKTON, Va. – FCPL’s Oakton branch on Sept. 24 hosted a celebration in honor of its 15th anniversary. Guests including U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, Fairfax County Supervisor Dalia Palchik and Virginia Sen. John Chapman “Chap” Petersen were on hand to pay tribute to the library’s longevity.

To commemorate the occasion, attendees were treated to a variety of festivities including a presentation on owls from wildlife organization Secret Garden Birds and Bees, a performance from the Vienna Community Band, activities for children and a tour of the library’s rain garden.

Additionally, the ceremony served to showcase the history of the library and how far it has come. “The story of Oakton Library is as unique as Fairfax County itself,” said Connolly. “The need for the library came during a time when many residents felt there was not a library nearby for them to attend,” he continued. Since opening in 2007, Oakton Library has received a Silver Rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program and is certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a habitat for wildlife.  

Oakton Library now offers many programs to people of all ages and backgrounds, including preschool storytimes, book discussion groups, guest speakers and more. According to Friends of Oakton Library Co-President Corinne Savage, “It’s impossible to imagine Oakton without a library. It continues to inform, educate and inspire all who step foot in here.”

Learn more about the Oakton branch or find out how you can get involved with the Friends of Oakton Library.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Fairfax County officials gathered Saturday to honor Carmen Fernandez, a longtime pillar of the Culmore community.

A conference room at the Woodrow Wilson Library in Falls Church now bears plaques in Fernandez’s honor. The Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) Board of Trustees voted in June 2022 to confer the honor.

Born in Cuba, Fernandez came to the U.S. in 1960 and worked as a social worker in Arlington County for 25 years before founding the nonprofit Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect (HACAN), according to her obituary.

Fernandez spent many Saturday mornings in the Woodrow Wilson Library room that now bears her name facilitating community programs and activities for elementary school-aged children through a HACAN program known as Morning Star, as well as parenting education classes through the Morning Star Mothers program.

“It’s Saturday morning and here we are at the Woodrow Wilson Library, where Carmen spent hundreds of Saturday mornings,” said Fairfax County Supervisor Penny Gross. “That was Carmen, always willing to give time and effort to her community … Her legacy is here, in the faces of the many children she inspired.

HACAN is a nonprofit educational and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening families in Northern Virginia through parent education and out-of-school activities that serve and support youth, according to its website.

Carmen Paredes, HACAN’s executive director, also had words of praise for Fernandez, calling her “an extraordinary woman who could see people’s potential and believe in them.”

Fernandez’s children Silvia Brugge, Celia Fruchterman, Javier and Jorge Fernandez were on hand for the unveiling of the plaques.

RESTON, Va. – Fairfax County Supervisor Walter L. Alcorn, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) leadership and dozens of library supporters were on hand Wednesday, June 8 as the FCPL Board of Trustees accepted a $200,00 gift from the Friends of Reston Regional Library.

“The Friends of the Reston Regional Library are amazing, hard-working community advocates who donate generously." said FCPL Director Jessica Hudson. The group’s funds are raised primarily through used book sales.

The gift will be invested in FCPL’s collection, benefitting cardholders throughout the county.

"At $3 million, county funding for collection building is below the recommended level of 20% of the library's total budget," said Frances Millhouser, chair of the Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees.

A majority of the gift will be invested in FCPL’s digital collection, which experienced explosive and sustained growth in recent years. FCPL’s collection budget is unable to meet community demand in large part because more cardholders are checking out digital materials.

In May 2022, just over 51,000 unique users checked out items from the library’s physical collection while the digital collection saw about 46,150 unique users in the same time period. Those digital users are all borrowing from a collection of slightly under 228,000 items while the physical collection contains more than 1.8 million items.

These numbers show the digital collection works hard; digital titles are placed on hold and checked out more frequently than their physical counterparts. Laws around eBook licensing mean digital materials also cost more than their physical counterparts.

FCPL collection services staff plans to invest the gift in ways that benefit the maximum number of cardholders, including purchasing Simultaneous Use eAudio packages, acquiring more perpetual use licenses and expanding the Lucky Day collection, which offers popular titles to cardholders for two weeks and does not permit holds or renewals.

Some areas of FCPL’s physical collection do work as hard as our digital collection; FCPL collection services staff plans to spend a portion of this gift on board books, Read-Alongs and other materials for young readers as well as Spanish-language materials.

Throughout 2022 Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) is celebrating literacy in all its forms, showcasing a different type through programs, activities and resources each month. With Earth Day celebrated recently and spring blooming into summer, May is Environmental Literacy Month at your local library.

What is Environmental Literacy?

According to the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) as noted by the Ecological Society of America’s Ecosphere journal, environmental literacy is “an awareness of and concern about the environment and its associated problems, as well as the knowledge, skills, and motivations to work toward solutions of current problems and the prevention of new ones.”

Whether you’re an avid environmentalist or gardener already, or you’d like to learn more about contributing to a healthier planet — or simply a greener neighborhood — for the next generations, the following library programs and resources will help you nurture your understanding of the natural world and our impact on it.

Free Environmental Literacy Month Events

Join FCPL virtually on Thursday, May 12, at 7 p.m. for a discussion about our favorite delectable and delicate foods that may disappear as a result of climate change. Advance registration is required.

Visit Sherwood Regional Library this month for hands-on workshops: upcycle old pieces of paper and cardboard and learn the art of storytelling through collage May 12 at 10:30 a.m.; and learn to grow and use 12 common culinary herbs May 22 at 2:30 p.m. Advance registration is required for both programs.

Explore gardening with native plants and wildlife in mind in a series of programs with local experts. Discover how to create a butterfly-friendly habitat in your own yard on Thursday, May 5, at 2 p.m. at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library. Pop into City of Fairfax Regional Library Saturday, May 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. for native plant seeds and advice from Fairfax County Master Gardeners. Explore ways to support songbirds and achieve personal landscaping goals with native plants in virtual presentations on May 9 and May 11. Advance registration is required for virtual programs.

For more events like this, check out the library events calendar at bit.ly/FCPL_GG-environment.

Lifelong Learning

FCPL cardholders can borrow fine-free* from the library’s collection and enjoy 60+ recommended books on the environment: bit.ly/FCPL_Env-Lit-Books.

Plus, find a curated list of virtual and in-person lifelong learning opportunities in the library’s online guide for Adults and 50-Plus at bit.ly/FCPL_LifelongLearning. Massive Open Online Courses(MOOCs) are free, online, college-level courses from universities and other providers worldwide; numerous courses in environmental science and other environmental literacy topics are available at bit.ly/CourseBuffet_EnvSci and bit.ly/ClassCentral_EnvSci.

More for Gardeners

Find out how to help Fairfax County’s flora and fauna thrive in FCPL’s interview with a Plant NOVA Natives member. Read the article in the spring issue of Branch Out magazine: bit.ly/FCPL-flora-fauna.

Have more questions about any type of gardening? Ask a Fairfax County Master Gardener at a plant clinic! Find times and locations at bit.ly/FCPL_PlantClinics.

Finally, make sure you’re growing in healthy soil by picking up a soil testing kit from any FCPL branch: bit.ly/FFX_SoilTests.

*Some special collections, including interlibrary loans, Chromebooks and hotspots, continue to accrue overdue fines.

Throughout 2022 Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) is celebrating literacy in all its forms, each month showcasing a different type through programs, activities, resources and materials. With tax season in full swing this month, April is all about Financial Literacy at your local library. Everyone from toddlers to retirees can hone their money smarts this month as FCPL celebrates Financial Literacy. Sign up for Money Smart Storytime, a webinar about financing college, an estate planning presentation and more!

What is Financial Literacy?

According to the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy as noted by PBS.org, personal financial literacy is "the ability to use knowledge and skills to manage financial resources effectively for a lifetime of financial well-being." Financial literacy can give you the confidence to make smart decisions and reach your goals — no matter what stage of life or financial situation you’re in. Check out the library’s programs and resources below to boost your financial literacy this month!

Free Financial Literacy Month Events

Visit Centreville Regional Library any time in April to participate in a financial literacy scavenger hunt and turn in your completed form by April 30 for the chance to win a personal finance book.

John Marshall branch is hosting Piggy Bank Family Storytime Saturday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m. Register for stories and a craft!

Join FCPL virtually on Tuesday, April 19, at 7 p.m. for a workshop on Savings & Investing: The Basics with Suzanne McGovern of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration is required for this online event.

If paying for education is in your future, join us virtually Tuesday, April 19 at 7 p.m. for Learn About Virginia529: A Tax-Advantaged Way to Pay for Education. Registration is required for this online event.

Bring your questions and learn about all aspects of Social Security from an expert in a presentation by AARP at Sherwood Regional Library on Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m.

Investing in the Digital Age is a virtual briefing by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at noon on Tuesday, April 26. Register now to learn:

• Steps to build wealth 
• What to consider when using investing apps 
• Risks of digital assets, like cryptocurrencies 
• Meme stocks and trading based on social media trends 
• The risks of trying to pick winners or time the market
• Protecting your money from investment scams.

Interested in tax help, too? Appointments are available through April 16 for AARP Tax Help at Herndon Fortnightly Library and VITA Tax Assistance at Kingstowne Library. Find dates, times and registration at bit.ly/FCPL_TaxHelp.

Always-Available Money Management Resources

FCPL cardholders now enjoy fine-free* borrowing from the library’s collection, which includes 500+ books, eBooks and audiobooks on personal finance: bit.ly/FCPL_ReadPersonalFinance. Plus, you can access digital resources anytime and anywhere you have an internet connection by visiting the online guide to Finance, Investing and the Economy at research.fairfaxcounty.gov/finance for curated information, databases, tools and more.

*Some special collections, including interlibrary loans, Chromebooks and hotspots, continue to accrue overdue fines.

For several years, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) has hosted a “Food for Fines” drive each fall as a way of facilitating food donations to our partner organization, Food for Others, which offers library cardholders a reduction on their fines.

As of Jan. 1, FCPL no longer charges overdue fines on most materials. To continue its partnership with Food for Others, FCPL is now hosting “Read and Feed” in April. Those who wish to give may simply drop off donations at any FCPL branch during its regular hours throughout the month of April.

Most needed items include:

• Oil
• Cereal
• Canned tomato products (crushed, peeled, diced, etc.), 4 oz. – 1 lb.
• Canned meat (chicken, turkey, or seafood), 2 oz. – 15 oz.
• Rice, 16 oz. packages
• Spaghetti sauce, 14 oz. – 1 lb. (ideally in cans instead of glass)
• Canned fruit (packed in fruit juice instead of syrup) 11 oz. – 20 oz.
• Dried or canned beans (black, kidney, pinto, etc.)
• Pasta
• Fruit juice (100% juice) 32 oz. – 64 oz.
• New or clean reusable grocery bags
• Can openers

Food for Others is unable to accept donations of:

Items that are more than three years expired, opened items, food that is not labeled, homemade items, cooked food, or toiletries.