Reston Regional Library is set to reopen on Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. after an 11-week closure for renovations.
The building — which is nearing the end of its life — underwent critical renovations throughout the summer, including ADA improvements for the main public restrooms, upgrades for all lighting fixtures, replacement of carpet in key areas, updates to public meeting rooms, and general paint, cleaning and blind repairs.
Patrons can start putting library items on hold for pickup in Reston starting Friday, Sept. 13, according to a newsletter from Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn’s office.
Fairfax County Public Library acting director Christine Jones thanked the public for their patience during the closure, which began on June 29.
“We were able to complete important facility modernization that will enable the building to serve the community for several more years,” Jones wrote in a statement to FFXnow. “Staff looks forward to welcoming the public back and hopes many will stop in to enjoy the newly refreshed building in addition to the great same services and programs offered by all FCPL’s 23 branches.”
Reston library staff, who relocated to other branches and offices during the shutdown, will return one week before the opening. Once it reopens, the library will resume regular hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Built in 1985, the Reston Regional Library is one of FCPL’s busiest branches, boasting a collection of approximately 145,000 items and circulating over 500,000 items a year, according to its website. It got 19,968 visitors in May, putting it just behind the Fairfax City and Pohick regional libraries.
The upgrades are intended to breathe life into a building that likely won’t be standing for much longer. A new Reston library is planned as part of the Reston Town Center North redevelopment.
In 2012, voters approved a $10 million bond referendum, roughly $3.5 million of which was redirected to support library project shortfalls. The funding gap will likely be covered by Economic Development Authority bond sales.
Currently in the planning stages, the redevelopment will include housing, a recreation center, an athletic field, an elementary school, a central green, an expanded North County Human Services building and a new Embry Rucker Community Shelter with supportive housing.
Fairfax County is now in the process of clearing a homeless encampment in woods on the site to prepare for the new development.
