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Thanks for Being a Friend! Friends of the Library Week 2024

National Friends of the Library Week 2024

October 18, 2024

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. //--> The Video Player does not directly support your device. Please the link below the play in VLC, Quicktime, or other media player: https://dl.ebmcdn.net/fairfax/flash/16AF_1024_LibraryWeek.mp4 //--> 2024 Friends Choice Awards The Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees and community members recently gathered on Wednesday, Oct. 9 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 32 awardees. Board of Trustees Chair Suzanne Levy led the program, praising the Friends groups for their contributions to the library over the last year and honoring each recipient for their contributions. The photo gallery from the awards ceremony is available here. This year’s list of honorees include: Kathryn Hodgdon, Access Services Advisory Group Rachel Schreiman, Access Services Advisory Group Shelley Brosnan, Friends of Burke Centre Library Frank Whittington, Friends of Burke Centre Library Tara Lassiter, Friends of Centreville Regional Library Rhonda Savage, Friends of Centreville Regional Library Vince Krevinas, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library Dennis Yenke, Friends of Chantilly Regional Library Karen Flagg, Friends of Great Falls Library Michael De Sapio, Friends of Kingstowne Library Fen Hunt, Friends of Kingstowne Library Nancy Newman, Friends of Kingstowne Library Wendy Simpson, Friends of Kingstowne Library Rita Hoskins, Friends of Pohick Regional Library Noemi Goldstein, Friends of Pohick Regional Library Sally Tomlin, Friends of Pohick Regional Library Barbara Atchison, Friends of Pohick Regional Library Kumutha Lane, Friends of Pohick Regional Library Andrea Tassan, Friends of Reston Regional Library Tom Skirbunt, Friends of Reston Regional Library Laurie Selmer, Friends of Reston Regional Library Carol Rieger, Friends of Reston Regional Library James “Jim” Medler, Friends of Reston Regional Library Linda Klieforth, Friends of Reston Regional Library Karen Grisz, Friends of Reston Regional Library Joel Cotton, Friends of Reston Regional Library Mary Catherine Flythe, Friends of Richard Byrd Library Maritza Jackson, Friends of Thomas Jefferson Library Tammi Souza, Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library Kris Lansing, Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library Karen James, Friends of Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library Robert “Bob” Phillips, 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. You can become actively involved or simply have the satisfaction of supporting a worthwhile cause. Consider donating your used books to the library for sale during Friends' book sales!

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Fairfax County Public Library Welcomes New Director Eric Carzon

Fairfax County Public Library Announces New Director

October 1, 2024

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.

Fairfax County Public Library Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month | September 15-October 15

Honor Hispanic Heritage Month at Your Local Library!

September 19, 2024

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.

Reston Regional Library Will Reopen To The Public Monday, September 16.

Reston Regional Library to Reopen on September 16

September 3, 2024

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.

Culmore Community Library - New Name, Same Great Library!

September 1, 2024

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. The Woodrow Wilson Library occupied three different storefronts in Culmore Shopping Center from 1961-1966 before relocating to the present permanent library building in 1967. Pictured here is the second storefront location which opened in 1962. 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.

Fairfax County Public Library Celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

FCPL Celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage

May 3, 2024

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 Regional Library Closing for Facility Renovation This Summer

April 25, 2024

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.

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