Fairfax County Public Library operates 23 library branches to serve the over 1.2 million residents of Fairfax County. A library is available within five miles of every resident with virtual services including eBooks, databases and educational support accessible 24/7. All residents of Fairfax County are eligible to receive a free library account and a library card, your passport to a world of information.
New Library Card Designs
During Library Card Sign-Up Month in September, FCPL debuted a new modern logo and branding, and celebrated with a card design contest. Four winning designs were chosen from over 150 entries, and the new cards will be available in mid-January for customers to choose from.
Digital Checkouts at Record High
FCPL recently celebrated another major milestone on Dec. 22: over 4 million digital checkouts in a single calendar year. That’s a lot of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines! This is the first time our library system has exceeded the threshold since introducing Libby by OverDrive, the library's online digital catalog provider, in 2006.
- In 2024, only 29 libraries who use OverDrive surpassed the 4 million digital checkout mark.
- FCPL currently ranks #22 in digital circulation nationwide and is ranked #1 in Virginia.
- The busiest day in 2025 was December 2 with 15,268 digital loans.
- The 4 millionth digital loan was an eAudiobook Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class by Rob Henderson.
- Since introducing Overdrive in 2006, FCPL cardholders have borrowed nearly 30 million items.
Top Digital Items for 2025
The top digital items that helped surpass the 4 million mark were:
Top 5 Adult eBooks
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
- The Women: A Novel by Kristin Hannah
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – FCPL’s 2025 All Fairfax Reads pick!
- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
- Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
Top 5 Adult eAudiobooks
- Pretty Girls by Karis Slaughter
- Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
- Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
- The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros
- Home is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose
Top 5 Children’s and Young Adult eBooks
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Top 5 Children’s and Young Adult eAudiobooks
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
- Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
- Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Top 5 eMagazines
Top Print Material Checkouts for 2025
Of course, sometimes there’s no comparison with holding and reading a physical book. FCPL circulates nearly 8 million print items per year. FCPL’s catalog is available online 24/7 and books can be put on hold for convenient pick up at your preferred library branch.
Top 5 Print Adult
- The Women by Kristin Hannah
- The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny
- James: A Novel by Percival Everett
- The Waiting by Michael Connelly
- We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
It’s no surprise to those with children at home that pigeons, elephants, piggies, wimpy kids and crime fighting dogs rule the children’s book scene. When ranked by individual titles the “top 40” print checkouts at FCPL are all authored by Mo Willems, Jeff Kinney or Dav Pilkey. Check out these numbers:
Top 5 Print Children’s Authors/Series
- Various Picture Books by Mo Willems - 56,159 checkouts
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney - 31,646 checkouts
- Dog Man and Cat Kid series by Dav Pilkey - 28,511 checkouts
- Baby-Sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin - 22,816 checkouts
- Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland - 11,168 checkouts
Technology and Making @FCPL
FCPL provides free access to the internet at each of their 22 branches, whether on a county-provided computer or your own mobile device or laptop. Connect Kits (Chromebooks) are also available to borrow that include free Wi-Fi hotspot devices for on-the-go connectivity.
FCPL offers three Do-It-Yourself or “Maker” Labs at Herndon Fortnightly Library, Pohick Regional Library and Sherwood Regional Library. These are places where visitors can learn, tinker, create, craft, make and do-it-yourself. Each of the three labs have a variety of tools for whatever makers can dream up. Most library branches also offer making and crafting programs for all ages and interests. Free 3D printing is available (one item per week) for cardholders over 18 years of age.
Looking Ahead to America’s 250th Anniversary
Celebrate America's 250th anniversary with Fairfax County Public Library. Each month in 2026, you can enjoy themed programs, activities, displays and materials for all ages.
- January: Foundations of Freedom
- February: African American History & Civic Impact
- March: Women Who Shaped America
- April: America's Natural Legacy
- May: Immigrant Journeys
- June: Voices of Pride and Progress
- July: Celebrate Independence
- August: Youth and Education in America
- September: Democracy in Action
- October: The America Spirit: Innovation and Invention
- November: Thankful for Our Past
- December: Looking Forward
More to Explore
There’s so much more to explore - We invite you to stop by your local library branch in 2026 to see what’s new!
SIGN UP FOR DAILY EMAIL HEADLINES