Library

For Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL), February 1 will always be a day worth celebrating. After all, it was on that day, 85 years ago, that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to first fund what would eventually become the largest library system in Virginia, serving more than 1.2 million people and circulating over 11.2 million books last year alone. It’s hard to imagine that the then Board of Supervisors could envision the success of their new library system when they budgeted a whopping $250 to support the library in 1939, but here we are, stronger than ever! Our budget is even bigger, thanks in no small part to all of you who have supported us over the last 85 years. 

From our humble beginnings as a singular truck-turned-bookmobile (the latest stegosaurus was a little out of our price range), FCPL’s mission has largely remained the same: to bring the joy of reading to the people of this county in their own communities. Gone were the days of walking miles upon miles uphill (both ways) in the snow or pouring rain dodging runaway horse and buggies just get your hands on a book to read. Imagine how astonished the people of Fairfax County in 1939 would be to learn that not only can books be borrowed from the roaming library parked down the block, but these days they can also be accessed from little electronic boxes we keep in our pockets. That would sound about as far-fetched as people traveling to the moon! 

All jokes aside, we are incredibly proud of how far we have come in providing access to books, programming and other resources in the last 85 years. We have a lot planned by way of celebrating this milestone so we hope you join us, not only as we look back, but also as we look forward to what we can achieve in the many years to come.  

In the meantime, get yourself in the 1939 mindset by checking out one of these books that is also celebrating its 85th birthday this year! 

• And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie 

• The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck 

• Madeline – Ludwig Bemelmans 

• The Big Sleep (Philip Marlowe, #1) – Raymond Chandler 

• Anne of Ingleside (Anne of Green Gables, #6) – L.M. Montgomery 

• By the Shores of Silver Lake (Little House, #5) – Laura Ingalls Wilder 

• Finnegans Wake – James Joyce 

• Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats – T.S. Eliot 

View these and other books in our online catalog here.

This February (and beyond) join Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) as we explore the diverse history and highlight the many contributions of African Americans through a multitude of programs and resources available for free to our library cardholders and all community members. With author talks, history presentations, book discussions, movie showings and more, check out just a taste of what is on the schedule at your local library in celebration of Black History Month. 

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

• Jazz Evening at the Lorton Library – Lorton Library – Monday, Feb. 5 (Registration required) 
  Enjoy an evening of Jazz Music and Jazz History at Lorton Library. South County High School's Jazz Band will perform a selection of songs followed by a talk by Brian Slawski from the Burke Historical Society. Brian will discuss local jazz history, including the fascinating story of the Lorton (prison) Jazz Festival. 
   

• Unequal Access – Virtual Event – Monday, Feb. 5 (Registration required) 
  Fairfax County Public Library librarians Chris Barbuschak and Suzanne LaPierre will discuss their book The Desegregation in Northern Virginia Libraries. 
   

• African American Soldiers from the Civil War (USCT) to Reconstruction (the "Buffalo Soldiers") – Burke Centre Library – Saturday, Feb. 10 
  Park Ranger Bryan Cheeseboro of the National Park Service will present about Black Civil War soldiers in the final days of the war and how many of them stayed in the army to serve as professional soldiers in the regular cavalry and infantry units, which became known to history as the "Buffalo Soldiers." 
   

• Award-Winning Jazz Vocalist Alison Crockett Presents "The Language of Jazz" – Centreville Regional Library – Sunday, February 18 
  Alison Crockett is an award-winning and prolific jazz, soul, and electronica vocalist who has performed and recorded in a wide range of genres including neo-soul, jazz, R&B, and gospel. Join Alison as she takes the audience through a sonic journey of the language of jazz music from its spiritual beginnings to the present. 
   

• Music For Social Well-Being – City of Fairfax Regional Library – Wednesday, Feb. 21 (Registration required) 
  Join performer Calvin Earl for an evening of songs and storytelling designed to bring people together and uplift us all to embrace our shared humanity. Listen and enjoy as Calvin plays the music that defines America, from spirituals to rock ‘n’ roll and beyond. 
   

• A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School – The Alden at McLean Community Center – Sunday, Feb. 25 (Registration required) 
  Join Carlotta Walls LaNier, a key protagonist in the Civil Rights Movement, as she revisits her journey as part of the “Little Rock Nine” and reflects on history of civil rights, race and diversity while inspiring hope for the future. A book sale and signing will follow this event. 
   

• Separate but NOT Equal: The 1939 Alexandria Public Library Sit-in & The 1959 Desegregation of Arlington County’s Schools – Sherwood Regional Library – Thursday, Feb. 29 
  Join the Mount Vernon chapter of AAUW (American Association of University Women) and guest speakers, Brenda Mitchell-Powers and Wilma Jones as they discuss the 1939 Alexandria Public Library Sit-in and the 1959 desegregation of Arlington County’s Schools. 
   

For a complete list of Black History-related events, visit bit.ly/FCPL_BHMevents. 

You can also celebrate and honor by selecting a new read from our specially curated Black History Month booklists for adults and kids, checking out or by streaming a film or documentary from Kanopy’s Black History collection.  

Through a generous partnership with PKP Tender Hearts Foundation, six Nepali World Languages Bags and a few titles in English reflecting Nepalese culture have been added to the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) collection. These bags are starting their journey at Chantilly Regional Library due to its proximity to Brookfield Elementary School, which per Fairfax County demographics, has the highest concentration of elementary students where Nepali is spoken at home.

"The Fairfax County Public Library holds a special place in my heart for its dedication to accessibility and equity. To be able to contribute to that same mission with our newly added Nepalese culture books brings a sense of pride and gratitude for our community I didn't know was possible," says Prabha Bhattarai, Founder and President of Tender Hearts Foundations. "I am a firm believer that books are just one door to promoting our country and culture, and I am thrilled that we are continuing to preserve and celebrate Nepal by providing exactly that."

The target audience for these items is children and early readers. Each bag contains several books that adults can read to and with children. In addition to Nepali, FCPL offers additional World Languages Bags in Chinese, Arabic, Urdu and Tamil. The library’s collection contains many children and adult books in Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese as well.

All World Languages Bags can be sent to any library branch location by searching and placing a hold through FCPL’s catalog.

Here’s how to place a hold on a World Languages Bag in the library’s catalog:

1. Type in “picture book bag” on the search bar next to “Keyword search” at the top of the page. Then click the search icon.
2. The picture books will populate the page. Choose the language you are interested in under “subjects” on the left side of the screen.
3. Select “PLACE HOLD” to the right of the picture book bag you want.
4. Follow the directions to enter your user information, password and the library branch where you’d like to pick up the book bag.

If you need additional assistance, please ask at a library information desk where staff will be happy to connect you with the World Languages Bags in your preferred language.

On Wednesday, Nov. 29, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) reached a major milestone, 3 million digital loans for 2023. This is the first time the library system has exceeded the threshold since introducing OverDrive, FCPL’s online digital catalog provider, in 2006. Sabriel, the award-winning young adult fantasy novel by New York Times’ bestselling author Garth Nix, was the book that helped FCPL surpass the milestone. 

With this achievement, FCPL joins an elite group of library systems around the world. In 2022, only 37 libraries who utilize OverDrive hit the 3 million total digital checkout mark in a single year. To add a little more perspective, OverDrive’s website reports that they serve “more than 88,000 libraries and schools in 109 countries with the industry’s largest digital catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, video and other content.” So, this is no small feat! 

FCPL utilizes Overdrive and its mobile application Libby to provide 24/7 access to their digital collection, which includes eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines. Readers can now access titles whenever and wherever they want using any major device, making digital materials more popular than ever.   

While reader interest in digital materials has been increasing steadily over the years, FCPL has seen exponential growth since 2019, with circulation more than doubling in the three-and-a-half-year period. To meet this demand, FCPL collections staff has been hard at work expanding the digital collection to include more titles, as well as additional licenses for popular titles, with the goal of reducing long wait times. This work has been supported in recent years by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, who recently approved a $300,000 increase to the library’s collection budget, as well as the Friends of Reston Regional Library, who donated $200,000 to the library in June of 2022 to support the development of both the digital and physical collections.  

FCPL’s digital collection is available for free to anyone who has a Fairfax County Public Library card. More information about the collection and how to access it can be found here.  

Library cardholders in Fairfax County can now borrow a variety of testing devices from their neighborhood branches. As of Nov. 27, nine types of meters and readers are available for check out at Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) 23 locations as part of its Library of Things, adding to the growing collection of non-traditional items visitors can borrow for use in their own homes. The introduction of these devices aligns with the library’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, which places emphasis on, among many other things, expanding the community’s access to innovative technology and resources.  

The initial batch of meters and readers available to check out include: 

• Air Quality Monitors 

• Battery Testers 

• Carbon Monoxide Meters 

• Kilowatt Usage Meters 

• Laser Thermometers 

• Moisture Meters 

• On-Board Diagnostic Code Readers 

• Radon Gas Monitors 

• Soil Meters 

Each device is available to check out for three weeks at a time and, if not immediately available, can be put on hold online or by visiting the information desk at any FCPL branch. More information about each of these devices can be found here. 

After all, why buy it when you can borrow it! 

Along with the meters and readers, the Library of Things is home to many other borrowable items that go beyond the bounds of traditional library materials, such as artwork, binoculars, board games, book discussion kits, Connect Chromebook Kits, Conserve Energy Kits, Hands-On History kits, Launchpad tablets, nature backpacks and thermal cameras.  

To learn more about the materials available through the Library of Things, visit our Library of Things LibGuide.

More than 160 Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) employees joined their peers from around the state this week as part of the 2023 Virginia Library Association’s (VLA) Annual Conference. Held at the Westfields Marriot in Chantilly, the conference provided attendees the opportunity to participate in educational presentations, make connections and celebrate the achievements of the past year.  

The conference began on Sunday, Oct. 22 with the annual awards banquet where two of FCPL’s own staff members were among the honorees. Gary Goodson and Atnaf Ameha won the Public Library Innovator Award, which “recognizes public librarians or public library project teams who have made an outstanding contribution to advance the mission of a public library in Virginia through an innovative project, program or service during the nomination period.” Goodson and Ameha received the award for their development of various Microsoft Power applications used by library staff. 

Sunday also featured the conference’s poster exhibition, where an FCPL staff member was among the exhibitors. Dianne Coan, FCPL’s Division Director of Technical Operations, presented “Set Overdrive on Cruise Control: More Circulation, Same Holds."

The remaining two days of the conference were dedicated to informational presentations and panel discussions on industry-related topics. Of the 70 different programs offered to attendees, FCPL staff led, co-led or participated in eight presentations and discussions. These included:

• “Be Brave: Create Safe Spaces and Build Inclusivity” co-led by Elizabeth Bass, Burke Centre Library Branch Manager 

• “Library Security: Best Practices to Keep Staff and Customers Safe” led by Kevin Osborne, FCPL Deputy Director, and Mike Siriwardena, Reston Regional Library Branch Manager 

• “Collection Maintenance Reports Made Easy” led by James Cullen of FCPL Technical Operations and Gary Goodson of the FCPL IT Team 

• “NARCAN in the Library: How to Get Overdose Reversal Training and Medicine into your Library” led by Kevin Osborne 

• “Both Sides Now: Changing from Academic to Public Libraries” co-led by Mike Siriwardena and Hall Baldwin, Dolley Madison Library Branch Manager 

• “Neurodiversity 101: An Insider’s Perspective” led by Kerri Zuiker, Youth Services Information Assistant at Centreville Regional Library, and Kelly Gilbert, Adult Services Librarian at Chantilly Regional Library 

• “Building and Sustaining a Makerspace: Come Together & Create” led by Emily Swain, Assistant Branch Manager at Kings Park Library, and Sahadev Poudel, Library Information Assistant at Herndon Fortnightly Library 

• “Desegregation of Libraries in Virginia” led by Suzanna S. LaPierre, Virginiana Specialist Librarian at the Virginia Room 

Check out our gallery of photos from the conference here.  

Members of Fairfax County Public Library’s staff joined county officials and community partners Saturday, July 29 to mark the reopening of the Community Services Room located at Tysons Corner Center. The multi-use space is run in partnership between the library, Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Providence District Supervisor Dalia A. Palchik and Edu-Futuro, a local nonprofit organization assisting underserved youth and families. Each partner will utilize the space to offer visitors expanded access to several government- and community-based services they might not have been able to before, all in one location.  

“We’ve been moving to more co-located services, so that if you’re a resident, you don’t have to schlep yourself back and forth to find what you need from county services” explained FCPL Director Jessica Hudson. “And this place is an amazing example of that.” 

Beginning in September 2023, FCPL’s School-Age and Teen Services Outreach team will utilize the room to provide programming opportunities on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Programs held in the space will cater specifically to teens ages 12-18 and include STEM learning opportunities, arts and crafts, gaming, and more, completely free of charge. The space will also feature a pop-up library to provide access to a curated collection of popular library materials for teens and to accept library returns. 

“We’ll be doing amazing onsite programs to draw those youth back into what the county has to offer them,” said Hudson. “Hopefully, we can instill in them a love, not only for county services and the county they live in, but they community members they live in it with.” 

The Fairfax County Community Services Room is located on the 2nd floor of Tysons Corner Center (1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA) outside of Nordstrom. To learn more about the space and upcoming library programing sessions, visit bit.ly/FCPL_TeenOutreach.  

Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) will resume normal operating hours effective Monday, Aug. 28. With this change, the library will be open longer, offering library visitors more time to check out books, attend programs and utilize the many resources available at each of their 23 branches.

Under the updated hours, regional branches will now be open:

• 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday

while community branches will be open:

• 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday,
• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and
• Closed on Sunday.

The Access Services branch, located at the Fairfax County Government Center, will remain open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition to the extended branches hours, the library is always available online through its many digital offerings. Cardholders can search the digital collection on Overdrive and its mobile application Libby, stream tv shows, movies and documentaries on Kanopy and access a vast array of research databases.

FCPL would like to thank the people of Fairfax County for their patience and understanding as it navigated the effects of the pandemic and staffing difficulties. FCPL is excited to once again be able to offer everyone a greater opportunity to visit its branches and enjoy its array of services.

FAIRFAX, VA – On Friday, July 7, 2023, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) officially reach 20 million all-time digital checkouts. The 20 millionth checkout came at approximately 11:02 a.m., when a library cardholder borrowed “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner. Just a few seconds later, the library had already secured loan number 20,000,001.  

“We are excited to kick off summer with our 20 millionth digital checkout,” said Dianne Coan, FCPL’s Director of Technical Operations, who oversees the development of both the digital and physical collections. “With more people on the go, we are now serving around 60,000 unique digital users each month and our circulation reflects that.” 

FCPL has offered a digital catalog to its cardholders for about 18 years and reached its one millionth checkout in 2015. The library utilizes Overdrive and its mobile application Libby to provide 24/7 access to their digital collection, which includes eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines. Readers can now access titles whenever and wherever they want using any major device, making digital materials more popular than ever.  

While reader interest in digital materials has been increasing steadily over the years, FCPL has seen exponential growth since 2019, with circulation more than doubling in the three-and-a-half-year period. To meet this demand, FCPL collections staff has been hard at work expanding the digital collection to include more titles, as well as additional licenses for popular titles, with the goal of reducing long wait times. This work has been supported in recent years by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, who recently approved a $300,000 increase to the library’s collection budget, as well as the Friends of Reston Regional Library, who donated $200,000 to the library in June of 2022 to support the development of both the digital and physical collections. 

FCPL’s digital collection is available for free to anyone who has a Fairfax County Public Library card. More information about the collection and how to access it can be found here. 

Fans of comic books, graphic novels, superheroes and more gathered together Saturday, May 20 to celebrate during Fairfax County Public Library’s Fandomania at Providence Community Center. This year marked the sixth time FCPL held the event, which brings together community members, small business owners and library and community center staff over a love of all things geeky, and the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that the fans were able to gather in person. 
 
“A huge part of the library’s mission is building a community that values and celebrates freedom of expression,” said Marisa Rodriguez, FCPL’s school-age and teen services outreach coordinator. “And Fandomania does just that. We are bringing together a diverse group of people to celebrate a shared interest and allow everyone to express that interest in a like-minded and fun setting.” 
 
The day was full of events designed for people of all ages to enjoy. A vendor hall featuring 18 small businesses allowed visitors to peruse wares including gaming supplies, art and figurines. Superfans showed off their best costumes in a cosplay contest, learned how to paint miniatures for tabletop gaming, tested their fandom food trivia and participated in a superhero training camp.  
 
Award-winning author and illustrator Ben Hatke also joined the event. Hatke, whose works include the Zita the Spacegirl, Mighty Jack and Julia’s House series, discussed his writing process and demonstrated how he uses art to enhance the stories he tells. He followed his presentation with a reading of his book, Nobody Likes a Goblin, a Q&A session and a book signing.  

While Fandomania is by far one of the library’s biggest events celebrating geek culture, it isn't the only way library visitors can enjoy all things nerdy. Check out the library’s events calendar for programming dedicated to anime and manga, sci-fi and fantasy series, and gaming opportunities happening throughout the year. Also, be sure to visit the online catalog for a complete list of available titles, including a wide selection of graphic novels, comic books and more.