Library

With 23 branches serving more than a million people, Fairfax County Public Library relies on many people to support the needs and interests of the community. In addition to the amazing staff who work tirelessly to provide services, programming and assistance to library visitors, there is another group whose contributions are vital to the success of FCPL’s mission. Last year, over 1,200 volunteers selflessly gave more than 78,000 hours of their time in service to our library. And beyond just the hours worked, they have served as ambassadors – reminding others of the importance of the public library within the community.  

To recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of library volunteers and community partners, FCPL annually hosts the Star Volunteer Awards. Employees nominate volunteers, who are honored for longevity and exceptional service. In honor of National Volunteer Month, the library and its Board of Trustees recognized 19 volunteers at its April Board meeting, held at George Mason Regional Library on Wednesday, April 9. 

A heartfelt congratulations to the 2025 awardees! 
 
Category: 1,000 Hours of Service 

Susan O’Boyle - Burke Centre Library 

Tarun Ramesh – City of Fairfax Regional Library, Patrick Henry Library, Technical Operations 

Elizabeth Adams – Richard Byrd Library 

Alison Duncan – Technical Operations 
 

Category: Exceptional Service 

Brandon Burrell – Burke Centre Library 

Anjali Ahuja – Chantilly Regional Library 

Claudia Johnston – City of Fairfax Regional Library 

Jacob Hallisey – Great Falls Library 

Elaine Michl – Kings Park Library 

Irene Marx – Lorton Library 

Peggy Jackson – Patrick Henry Library 

Anne Sween – Patrick Henry Library 

Samantha Goldberg – Pohick Regional Library 

Michael Carpenter – Reston Regional Library 

Ray Walser – Reston Regional Library 

Marion Glass – Thomas Jefferson Library 

Mathias Tsige – Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library 

Philip Zettle – Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library 

Steve Corley – Technical Operations 

More photos from the ceremony can be viewed here.

Officially designated in 2022 by President Joe Biden, National Arab American Heritage Month  honors people in the United States who are of Arab ancestry, as well as their history, culture and 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 Arab American 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.     

Arab American Heritage Month Scavenger Hunt – Centreville Regional Library – All Month  
Learn to read the numbers 1-10 in Arabic script as you search the library for the hidden clues to match up the correct numbers. Once your scavenger hunt sheet is completed, turn it in at the Information Desk for a small prize. 

Coloring Arabesque and Geometric Patterns – John Marshall Library – Monday, April 7 
Relax and listen to instrumental Middle Eastern music while coloring arabesque and geometric patterns. 

Family Storytime Extravaganza – Kingstowne Library – Saturday, April 12 
Bring your family to learn about Eid al-Fitr, a celebration of the end of Ramadan, with books and crafts. 

Arabic Stories and Calligraphy for Kids – City of Fairfax Regional Library – Thursday, April 17 
Enjoy a reading of The Proudest Blue by I. Muhammad, sing some songs and try your hand at Arabic calligraphy. 

Poetry Writing and Reading – Lorton Library – Tuesday, April 22 
Celebrate National Poetry & Arab American Heritage Months by creating poetry. Prompts, writing materials, tea and poetry books by classic and contemporary Arab American writers will be provided. 

Arab American Cultural Open House – Chantilly Regional Library – Saturday, April 26 
Learn about the rich and diverse cultures of Arab Americans in Fairfax County in this program for all ages. 

Moon Rock Painting – Sherwood Regional Library – Saturday, April 26 
Celebrate and learn about Farouk El-Baz’s contributions to NASA and the Apollo missions by creating a moon with "moon rock" paint!  

For a complete list of Arab American Heritage-related events, visit bit.ly/FCPL_ArabAmericanHeritage.

You can also celebrate by selecting a new read from our specially curated Arab American Heritage Month booklist found here. 

Beginning Saturday, March 8, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) will be hosting several focus groups with the aim of improving the County's 911 responsiveness. In partnership with the Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications and George Mason University, several of our branches will hold sessions to explore community relationships with first responders, including identifying challenges, needs, and opportunities for improvement. These discussions will help first responders to better understand and anticipate community needs as well as evaluate the community's current understanding of how AI tools are developed to support community.

A schedule for sessions is as follows:

• Lorton Library - Saturday, March 15 - 4-7 p.m.
• Sherwood Regional Library - Sunday, March 16 - 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Culmore Library - Saturday, March 22 - 3-6 p.m.
• Richard Byrd Library - Saturday, April 5 - 3-6 p.m.
• Centreville Regional Library - Sunday, April 6 - 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• NEW DATE! Richard Byrd Library - Thursday, April 24 - 4-5 p.m.

Learn more about the project in this article from George Mason University.

Throughout the month of March, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) will honor the many women who have played an important role over the course of American history. This Women’s History Month, celebrate the lives and stories of women who have made an impact on Fairfax County and beyond with presentations, workshops, 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.   

• The Artist and Me (Women's History Edition) - Martha Washington Library - Saturday, March 1 
  Read about a famous female artist or two and then create your own piece of artwork inspired by their styles. 

• Women in History Costume Party - John Marshall Library - Saturday, March 1 
  Dress as a celebrated woman from history and enjoy socializing, making paper dolls and playing a game of women's history bingo in this program for adults. 

• Storytelling through Women's Voices - A Celebration of Female Composers - City of Fairfax Regional Library - Sunday, March 2 
  Explore your musical imagination through the voices of female-identifying composers of the 20th and 21st centuries through the performances of two local musicians. 

• #MeToo Movement - Virtual Program - Friday, March 7 
  Trace the origins and evolution of the movement that has reshaped our understanding of gender relations and ignited a call for justice and accountability in this talk led by Dr. Cher Wexia Chen. 

• Women's History Month Bingo - Thomas Jefferson Library - Saturday, March 8 
  Enjoy a friendly game of Bingo for all ages while honoring and learning about the contributions of great women throughout history. 

• Jennie Dean: From Slavery to Visionary in the Field of Education - City of Fairfax Regional Library - Wednesday, March 12 
  Learn about Jennie Dean, a native of Prince William County, who founded the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth and was an early champion of women’s rights in this presentation from Marion Dobbins. 

• Early Herndon Female Leaders - Herndon Fortnightly Library - Saturday, March 15 
  Discover some of Herndon’s early female leaders and learn how they helped shape early life in the area in this talk from Barbara Glakas, Herndon Historical Society Historian. 

• American Girl Book Club: Women's History Month Edition! - Sherwood Regional Library - Sunday, March 16 
  Join this special book club meeting to chat about Julie, an American Girl who is passionate about equality and fighting for what she believes in, and do a craft based on her story. 

• Women's History Month Storytime! - Pohick Regional Library - Sunday, March 16 
  Celebrate Women's History Month by reading books and singing traditional storytime songs in this program led by Pohick’s Teen Advisory Board. 

• Escaping Detection - Burke Centre Library - Thursday March 27 
  Learn about women who were spies and soldiers during the Civil War in this program from local author Mary Lipsey. 

• Teen & Parent Craft: Weave Like Ruth - Sherwood Regional Library - Saturday, March 29 
  Wrap up Women's History Month by sculpting with wires in the style of artist Ruth Asawa! 

For a complete list of Women’s History-related events, visit bit.ly/FCPL_WomensHistoryMonth. 

You can also celebrate by selecting a new read from our specially curated Women’s History Month booklist found here. 

“If you hear any form of popular music in the twentieth century, it will have, at its base, the blues,” says award-winning jazz singer and songwriter Alison Crockett.

On February 8, in celebration of Black History Month, Alison and bassist Obasi Akoto captivated audiences at Centreville Regional and Sherwood Regional libraries with soulful melodies and a rich history lesson that brought the evolution of jazz to life.

“One of the things about jazz, and Black American music in particular, is that it is, literally, democracy,” says Alison. “We all come together; we have an idea of what we want to do. There is a leader, for a minute, …and then everybody gets a chance to speak. And if we’re all not working together, and if we all don’t know what we’re supposed to do, it doesn’t work.”

A multifaceted jazz vocalist, Alison's extensive education and diverse performance experience have made her a luminary in the music world. With vocal training from Temple University and a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music, she has seamlessly transitioned between genres, recording critically acclaimed projects ranging from jazz and neo-soul to electronica and Brazilian-inspired tunes.

To learn more about Alison, visit AlisonCrockett.com. 

Library visitors can experience Alison's presentation, "The Evolution of Jazz," in person as she performs at City of Fairfax Regional Library and Kings Park Library on Saturday, February 22 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. respectively.

This November, Fairfax County Public Library is honoring the history, traditions and contributions of the United States’ indigenous peoples, including Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. According to the Culture Heritage of Fairfax County Residents Research Guide on the Library’s website:  

“Archaeological evidence shows that people have been living in what is now Virginia as far back as 16-22,000 years ago.” These tribes contributed significantly to the newcomers’ ability to survive those first few years upon their arrival to present-day Virginia. Over the four hundred years since the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia’s native people have contributed greatly to the vitality of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the nation, and continue to do so.” 

To recognize these communities, as well as the other indigenous groups who originally inhabited the land that is now the U.S., our branches will be hosting educational presentations, dance 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.    

Explore Native American Life in Fairfax County – Multiple Branches – Multiple Dates 
Discover what life may have been like for Eastern Woodland Indians and the relationship they had with the land that is now Fairfax County. Explore replica artifacts, listen to a story from Native American lore, try out corn grinding, play a corn dart game and more. 

• Richard Byrd Library – November 2 
• Chantilly Regional Library – November 3 
• Great Falls Library – November 9 
• Thomas Jefferson Library – November 16 

“N. Scott Momaday: Words from a Bear” – Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library – November 4 
Screen the documentary “N. Scott Momaday: Words from a Bear,” a biographical documentary about the first Native American to win the Pulitzer Prize in Literature, which Momaday won in 1969 for his novel, House of Dawn.  

Create Your Own Sand Painting – Culmore (Woodrow Wilson) Library – November 21 
Learn about Navajo Nation and their tradition of creating sand art for artistic and medicinal purposes, then create one of your own. 

Native American Heritage Celebration – Multiple Branches – November 23 and 24 
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with an authentic cultural presentation and dance demonstration by the Eastern Woodland Revitalization. Performances include the Harvest Dance, the Eastern Blanket Dance and a craft for kids. 

• Reston Regional Library – November 23 
• Centreville Regional Library – November 24 

Native American Heritage Month Read Aloud & Craft – Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library – November 25 
Enjoy a storytime featuring Native American tales, followed by a fun and educational activity where kids can learn the history of totem poles and create their own. 

For a complete list of Native American Heritage-related events, visit bit.ly/FCPL_NativeAmericanHeritage. 

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

The Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees and community members gathered on Wednesday, Oct. 11 to celebrate the library’s Friends groups and recognize members nominated by their peers for their service. This year’s Friends Choice Awards were held at Chantilly Regional Library and featured a program honoring 22 awardees.  

Board of Trustees Chair Brian Engler led the program, praising the Friends groups for their contributions to the library over the last year and honoring each recipient for their contributions. Reading a summary of their nominations, he welcomed each honoree, presenting them with a certificate, gift card and pin as a token of the library’s appreciation. 

This year’s list of honorees include: 

Gaylene Arnista, Friends of Burke Centre Library 

Mary Hubbard, Friends of Burke Centre Library 

Dennie Knox, Friends of Centreville Regional Library 

Dora Martinez, Friends of Centreville Regional Library  

Rose Berteotti, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library 

Kathy Olcus, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library  

Lois Price, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library  

Dawn Keene, Friends of City of Fairfax Regional Library 

Grover Dunn, Friends of George Mason Regional Library 

Karen Dunn, Friends of George Mason Regional Library 

Cathy Schagh, Friends of George Mason Regional Library 

Judith Chamot, Friends of Kings Park Library 

Faith Chang, Friends of Kingstowne Library 

Kate Crawford, Friends of Oakton Library 

Jonathan Gressel, Friends of Pohick Regional Library 

Carol Henning, Friends of Pohick Regional Library 

Dan Neckel, Friends of Pohick Regional Library 

Joanne Neckel, Friends of Pohick Regional Library 

Barbara Zenker, Friends of Richard Byrd Library  

Pam Hall, Friends of Thomas Jefferson Library 

Kelley Gillespie, Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library  

Mary Vavrina, Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library 

Community members wishing to become part of a Friends groups can find out more information on the library’s website. This page includes a list of the different Friends groups throughout Fairfax County as well as details on membership and how to join. 

Click here to view our gallery of photos from this year's Friends Choice Award. 

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

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

Engler also spent time honoring each recipient for their contributions. Reading a summary of their nominations, he welcomed each honoree, presenting them with a certificate, gift card and pin as a token of the library’s appreciation.

This year’s list of honorees include:

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

Community members wishing to become part of a Friends groups can find out more information on the library’s website. This page includes a list of the different Friends groups throughout Fairfax County as well as details on membership and how to join.

At its Dec. 8 virtual meeting, the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) Board of Trustees approved a new policy that ends the practice of charging overdue fines on most library materials.

"The FCPL Board of Trustees has approved eliminating fines on most library materials and joins surrounding jurisdictions in removing this significant barrier to equitable access to information and library services," said FCPL Board of Trustees Chair Fran Millhouser.

Library staff members are working to ensure the system is set to forgive fines already incurred and stop imposing most fines beginning around Jan. 1, 2022.

Overdue fines remain in effect for some special collections and interlibrary loan materials.

“Equity is driving our shift to a fine-free model of library services; we don’t want accrual of overdue fines to deter anyone who wants to use the library,” said FCPL Director Jessica Hudson.

FCPL analysis showed that overdue fines disproportionately affected young people and those in low-income areas. Pre-pandemic, “blocked” cards (accounts not allowed to check out materials due to having more than $15 in fines) were about 17% of the total cardholder population. “Blocked” youth cards (accounts for users under the age of 18) were 23% of the youth cardholder population.

“Blocked” card numbers are higher in areas served by Reston Regional Library (Hunter Mill District), City of Fairfax Regional Library, George Mason Regional Library (Mason District), Kingstowne Library (Mt. Vernon/Lee District) and Sherwood Regional Library (Mt. Vernon District). There appears to be a link between low-income communities and higher numbers of blocked library accounts.

Library systems around the nation, including in all neighboring counties, have gone fine-free and experienced surges in returned materials. These systems have also found that their cardholders continue to return materials on time, even without the threat of fines, Hudson said.

FCPL’s special collections that will continue to incur overdue fines include but are not limited to: interlibrary loan materials, Chromebooks and mobile hotspots.