Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Concerns about empty library shelves

George Mason Library in Annandale has lots of empty shelf space. Library advocates are concerned about the increasingly empty shelves at Fairfax County libraries—and what an aggressive discard policy could mean for the future of the system. That’s why a June 3 meeting of the Library Board of Trustees’ Communication and Evaluation Committee —7 p.m. … Continued

Hazmat incident at George Mason Library

Firefighters enter George Mason Library. [Photo by Greg Guise/WUSA] George Mason Regional Library in Annandale was evacuated this morning when people noticed a strange odor in the building and eight people complained of shortness of breath. Fairfax County firefighters discovered a refrigerant leak in the library and declared a “hazmat incident,” WUSA Channel 9  reports.  … Continued

Author recounts stories of WW II heroes

Historian and diplomat Robert Dorr gave a lively talk at George Mason Regional Library Feb. 26 about the firebombing of Tokyo during World War II and the atomic bombing that brought the war in the Pacific to a close. He also signed copies of his latest book, Mission to Tokyo: The American Airmen Who Took … Continued

Library employees honored for organizing against library restructuring

Left to right: Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova, Charles Keener, Jennifer McCullough, and Employees Advisory Council Vice Chair Avery Dotson. Fairfax County Public Libraries employees Charles Keener and Jennifer McCullough are the 2013 recipients of Don Smith Awards in recognition of their grassroots efforts to support library employees over the past few months. The … Continued

Lots of outrage expressed at community meeting on the library system

Supervisor Linda Smyth with two of the library books she found in a dumpster. People who came to a forum on libraries convened by Providence Supervisor Linda Smyth Oct. 10 raised serious concerns—about Fairfax County Public Libraries’ policy for trashing many thousands of books, cuts to the library budget, attempts to downgrade professional librarians, and … Continued

Library board seeks public input, but there are concerns about the intent

The George Mason Regional Library in Annandale on a typical week night. Several public meetings have been scheduled to give members of the public and library employees an opportunity to comment on the future direction of the Fairfax County Public Libraries (FCPL). These sessions are aimed at collecting public input following the huge uproar in … Continued

Supervisors call for extensive public outreach before library changes proceed

A display on libraries in the lobby of the Fairfax County Government Center. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a “board matter” Sept. 10 directing the county executive to request the Library Board put proposed changes on hold until they “conduct an extensive outreach program to inform and educate the public and library employees.” … Continued

Fairfax County library system threw out thousands of books

Library books in a dumpster. The recent discovery of perfectly good library books tossed in a dumpster has ignited the opposition to efforts to overhaul the Fairfax County Public Libraries. When Providence Supervisor Linda Smyth heard that the library system was actually throwing out books, many of them in excellent condition, she went to see … Continued

Library staff, supporters battling plan to overhaul library system

George Mason Regional Library. With a crucial library board meeting approaching, library employees and “friends” groups are mobilizing support from officials, community groups, and patrons to urge the board to roll back plans to restructure the library system and downgrade the professional qualifications of employees. The Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees will consider major … Continued