Patrick Henry Library is one of the busiest community locations in the Fairfax County Public Library system, operating at a level of a small regional. The new Vienna-Carter Library, approved by a bond referendum in 2020, is a proposed joint development project between Fairfax County and the Town of Vienna to renovate the library and provide additional parking structures for the library and the town. Construction of the new Vienna-Carter Library is set to begin this summer.
The last day of service at the 101 Maple Ave. E, Vienna location, which opened in September 1971, was May 9, 2025. Both the old and temporary branches are currently unavailable for service while books, furniture and shelves are transported and installed at the temporary location. While this library is closed, customers are invited to visit a nearby full-service branch – close options include Oakton Library, City of Fairfax Regional Library and Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library. Materials can be picked up or returned to any Fairfax County Public Library branch.
Patrick Henry Temporary Library
A temporary branch will open in the Cedar Park Shopping Center, located at 262 Cedar Lane, Vienna during the week of July 21. The public is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting and open house on Wednesday, July 23 at 9:30 a.m.
The site is approximately 2800 square feet and intended as a quick visit and convenient service location. The hours for this location also vary from other FCPL community branches and will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Available at the temporary facility will be:
• Small browsing selection • Ability to pick up holds or return books
• Public Wi-Fi • Chromebooks for onsite use • Some programming (e.g. storytimes)
Customers are also invited to visit a nearby full-service branch to attend programs and events or to browse a larger selection – close options include Oakton Library, City of Fairfax Regional Library and Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library. Materials can be picked up or returned to any Fairfax County Public Library branch.
Future Vienna-Carter Library
The future Vienna-Carter Library will replace the existing Patrick Henry Library with an approximately 19,000 SF one-story library and a 209-space four-level parking structure on the existing site, 101 Maple Avenue, Vienna. The proposed facility will include a state-of-the-art library space that will support the current and future programmatic and operational needs of the library users and staff, an outdoor reading and gathering space, and a flexible community space that will be open during and after library business hours. The garage will provide 125 parking spaces for the library users and staff, and an additional 84 parking spaces for the public.
The project has a goal to achieve a minimum of LEED Gold certification, 50% energy reduction over current ASHRAE standards, Net Zero energy design and will utilize all electrical systems and equipment. The project includes Photovoltaic (PV) panel system and Geothermal heating and cooling to reduce energy consumption and achieve Net Zero energy.
Project construction is scheduled to begin in June 2025 and occupancy of the new library in early to mid 2027.
Celebrating Patrick Henry Library
A community celebration and open house honoring the old location took place on Saturday, March 29, 2025, featuring remarks from community leaders, history activities, crafts, performances, commemorative giveaways and more, for all ages. The community was also encouraged to share their memories of Patrick Henry Library in short interviews with staff and members of Vienna Historic Inc. “We moved to Vienna before my children were born. Walking from the picture book area to the early readers and juvenile readers, to teen books is like a walk through our family’s life,” said one celebration visitor. Another shared, “This library has been the living room for the community for so many years.”