Fairfax Library Foundation

File your VA Tax Return and help your library!

2010-01-04T12:18:00.000-08:00

You may now voluntary donate all or part of your tax refund to the Fairfax County Public Library through the Foundation by noting the amount on line 28 on VA Tax return Form 760 and attaching Schedule ADJ. See detailed instructions online.

Fairfax County Public Library Foundation Voluntary Contribution Code #205501

Special thanks is extended to Patrons Plum, Bulova, Callahan, Caputo, Ebbin, Marsden, Rust, Scott, J.M., Sickles and Watts and Senators Herring, Howell and Ticer for introducing House Bill No. 2602 on January 10, 2007 to amend and reenact 58.1-344.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to voluntary contributions of refunds!

Library budget battle continues . . .

2009-12-30T08:45:00.000-08:00

The petition formed by library supporters requesting equitable budgetary cuts for Fairfax County agencies is highlighted in the Sun Gazette.

Ask me no questions . . .

2009-12-18T06:26:00.000-08:00

Fairfax County Public Library is poised to discontinue the "Ask A Librarian" service this month due to budget cuts as reported in The Washington Post.

Hey, buddy! Can you spare a book?

2009-12-18T06:20:00.000-08:00

Put a book on a library shelf and be the first to read it!
The Library Foundation's Amazon.com Wish List is reported in the Fairfax Times and the Sun Gazette.

Library petition

2009-12-15T07:40:00.000-08:00

The library petition for equitable distribution of budgetary cuts throughout Fairfax County agencies is recognized in the Washington Post.

Save Fairfax County Public Libraries

2009-12-15T07:38:00.000-08:00

The Friends of the Fairfax County Public Library invites Fairfax County taxpayers to sign the petition and to contact elected officials.

The Fairfax County Public Library has already suffered an 18% budget reduction in FY 2009. In FY 2009 the Library hours of operation were reduced, the collection materials budget is the lowest it has been in ten years, and our workforce has been cut by one third. The County Board of Supervisors is asking for another 15% budget cut in FY 2010. This will result in a significant reduction in service and the elimination of 107 employees. Show your support for public libraries by signing the petition and send a message to your District County Supervisor.

Save Our Libraries

2009-12-15T07:35:00.000-08:00

Despite the season's first snowfall, Library advocates united on Saturday, December 5th to discuss communication strategies in an effort to prevent the proposed 15% budgetary reduction (in addition to 18% previously cut) for the Fairfax County Public Library system.

A Yahoo Group called Save Our Libraries has been created by a coalition of concerned citizens in an effort to seek support for the library system and advocate for equitable budget cuts for all Fairfax County agencies. Interested individuals are invited to join the group by adding a personal e-mail address!

Libraries without Librarians?

2009-11-20T13:02:00.000-08:00

Fairfax County Public Library Director, Sam Clay is interviewed at the bustling City of Fairfax Regional Library (right) on WUSA9 TV.

Library Board presents budget with 15% reduction

2009-11-20T12:59:00.000-08:00

For the status of the Fairfax County Public Library system's projected Fiscal Year 2011 budget cuts with a detailed explanation of Option 2 as recommended by the Board of Trustees, see the outline in the Washington Post.

Total circulation of materials up 7 percent in last fiscal year and nearly 84,000 residents applied for new library cards as reported in the Sun Gazette.

Please restore Library Hours!

2009-11-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

Fairfax County Public Library System braces for significant budgetary cuts, as reported in The Washington Post and on WTOP.
The libraries and county parks make up only 2.2% of the $3.3 billion county budget, both agencies are bracing for a potential 15% cut, that is on top of the 15% cut experienced last year.

A group of Directors of the Fairfax Library Foundation provide information regarding the Community Dialogue Sessions and Supervisory contact information with a plea to 'Restore Library Hours' lost to previous cuts while the public demand for library programs and services continues to increase.

Things are tough all over

2009-11-10T12:25:00.000-08:00

Libraries from 'sea to shining sea' are being utilized now more than ever during this time of budgetary strife. See the San Francisco Chronicle article that depicts many challenges not unlike those facing the library system throughout Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax.

And on NBC Washington

Summer Reading in Fairfax County & the City of Fairfax

2009-11-06T12:47:00.000-08:00

The Fairfax Library Foundation was a proud sponsor of the Fairfax County Public Library’s 2009 Summer Reading Program. More than 48,800 children and young adults completed the program. See more in this Sun Gazette article.

Thank You!

2009-11-06T12:38:00.001-08:00

Special appreciation is extended to The Vietnamese American Community, as the Signature Guardian Sponsor of A Platinum Jubilee! This group is in the midst of the Gateway to Freedom Project, which will pay tribute to the Vietnamese American Community while raising funds to enhance the Fairfax County Public Library, with a special focus on the Thomas Jefferson Library in Falls Church.

October is Library Foundation Month!

2009-10-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

To celebrate, library staff and volunteers wear buttons while brochures, posters and a large banner are displayed at every branch.

Additionally, October 18-24th is deemed the Friends of Libraries Week to recognize the many contributions made through Friends Groups.
Read more . . .

" We were too polite last year."

2009-10-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

Library Foundation Chair featured in Washington Post article about the Community Dialogues on the FY 2011 Fairfax County budget.
Read more . . .

These Books are (recycled) for the Birds!

2009-10-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

Georgia Chirieleison, Children's Selector in Fairfax County Public Library's Collections Management & Acquisition's Department, gave a second life to discarded picture books. She creatively decoupaged the illustrations on wooden birdhouses for the mutual enjoyment of our fine feathered friends and bibliophiles alike!

Library Fund-Raiser Brings in $86,400

2009-09-29T12:26:00.000-07:00

The Fairfax Library Foundation’s recent fund-raiser - “Platinum Jubilee!” - raised $86,400 for library programs and services, organizers said.

On Sept. 12, the Foundation hosted the reception and live auction at the George Mason University’s Mathy House, home of the university president Alan Merten and his wife, Sally. It was held in honor of the library system’s 70th anniversary and the 15th anniversary of the library foundation.

“The enthusiastic support of everyone who helped make this event such a success demonstrates how much the community values its public library,” said Susan Thornily, chairman of the Fairfax County Public Library board of trustees. She also paid honor to Sally Merten and Sushma Shenoy-Saluja, the co-chairs of the celebration.

See the Sun Gazette article

Buy, Donate and Borrow a Book!

2009-09-18T06:19:00.000-07:00

Executive Director, Roberta Longworth, comments on the the Fairfax Library Foundation's Amazon.com Wish List in a Library Journal article featuring the importance of book donation programs due to library budget cuts.

Scholarships awarded amid Training Budget Cuts

2009-08-13T10:23:00.001-07:00

In an effort to balance the budget, all outside training offered to the Fairfax County Public Library staff has been eliminated through the foreseeable future. Despite these changes, library staff and volunteers may qualify for continuing education and academic support through the Fairfax Library Foundation's Friends Scholarship Fund.

Congratulations to continuing education awardees, Karla Pruefer, Administrative Assistant at the Pohick Regional Library for continuing education classes at Northern Virginia Community College.

The following Masters of Library Science students received academic scholarships.

The 2009 recipient of the Edwin S. Clay, III Academic Scholarship, was Amal K. Morsy, Information Assistant, City of Fairfax Regional Library, studying at the Catholic University of America

Carolyn Hilyard, Library Information Assistant at the Richard Byrd Library, studying at the University of North Texas

Elizabeth Meanor, Library Aide at the Reston Regional Library, studying at Catholic University of America

David Mercer, Library Page at Centreville Regional Library, studying at Florida State University

Visit the Foundation for more information

Ready-to-Read

2009-08-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

This year, the Fairfax County Public Library's Ready-to-Read program is largely supported through contributions made to the Fairfax Library Foundation in loving memory of dedicated volunteer, Bonnie Rupp. Write for more information about memorializing or honoring a loved one to help underwrite this and other important library programs.

Librarians as Career Counselors?

2009-07-23T06:42:00.000-07:00

See Amy Dougherty's commentary regarding librarians' expanded role as career counselors as library customers use services to seek employment and job training.

Tutor.com is not just Homework Help anymore!

2009-07-16T11:50:00.000-07:00

The Fairfax Library Foundation is pleased to sponsor the expanded Tutor.com Learning Suite (formerly Tutor.com Live Homework Help®) from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week. Tutors are available to communicate in either English or Spanish at the customer's preference.

There are now three distinct tutoring sections: Kindergarten - 12th Grade Student Center, College Center, and Adult Career Center. All have ProofPoint, which is access to a tutor who can review a written document live. Noteworthy additions include test preparation materials, such as standardized tests and the SAT for Kindergarten -12th Grade students. Job search, GED, resumes, citizenship and financial literacy assistance is available for college students and adults. Check it out!

Saving libraries

2009-07-16T09:42:00.000-07:00

This news from New York City is all too familiar to library users throughout Fairfax County where usage continues to increase! Read the article from the Huffington Post.

Libraries are a lighthouse

2009-07-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

Maria Morales beautifully states how libraries guide the way in this editorial from The Signal.

A Platinum Jubilee!

2009-07-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

Fairfax Library Foundation proudly hosts A Platinum Jubilee!, celebrating 70 years (1939-2009) of Fairfax County Public Library service!

Don your party attire & join library lovers for a jubilant reception featuring the lively Jazz Ensemble led by Jim Carroll plus a full assortment of refreshments and delectable hors d’oeuvres.

Bidders will vie for the opportunity to:

golf at Congressional Country Club,
watch the Redskins from Club Seats,
enjoy an authentic Indian dinner,
experience a Tuscan themed dinner party,
relax on a spa vacation getaway,
and much more in silent & live auctions by Quinn’s Auction Galleries!
Learn more . . .