Fairfax County is getting ready to make significant and much needed repairs to George Mason Regional Library in Annandale.
Like the Crossroads rehab facility similarly receiving an upgrade, the library at 7001 Little River Turnpike hasn’t received a renovation since the 1990s. Built in 1960, the facility received an addition in 1998.
“The building systems and infrastructure are nearing the end of their life cycle, and the layout does not meet the current and future operational needs of the library,” the project’s website said.
The plan will modernize the current library space and include a new maker space, gathering areas and a flexible meeting space open during and after library business hours. The project will also add rooftop photovoltaic solar panels and other upgrades to reduce energy consumption, along with electric vehicle charging stations in the 191-space parking lot.
Fairfax County Public Library Director Eric Carzon says the 28,000-square-foot building footprint will remain the same, but there will be a lot of interior changes to make it more spacious and energy efficient.
The building systems are quite old, so the renovation is going to completely renovate all of the building systems for energy efficiency. They’re shooting for LEED [Gold] status … Although we’re not changing the footprint of the building — it’ll be the same building, same exterior — there will be a lot of changes inside the building. We’re going to add some windows. All the shelving will be re-shifted so that there’ll be much more light, more public seating.
Carzon also said the library will have new individual study rooms, which have proven to be popular features at other renovated branches.
“It allows tutors and small study groups and other folks to meet privately, have some quiet, and be able to get work done,” Carzon said.
Carzon noted to FFXnow that library renovations, which are generally 20-30 years apart, can reflect the way the role of the library has changed in the community.
Funded via the 2020 library bond referendum for $15 million, the project is currently in the design phase with an informational meeting planned at the library this Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m.
The design phase is scheduled to continue through early 2026, with advertisement for construction bids following in the spring. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2026, though the library must close for 1-2 months prior to allow materials and furniture to be moved out of the facility.
Speaking at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for FCPL’s temporary Patrick Henry Library in Vienna, where construction on a new, permanent facility is expected to start this fall, Carzon says there are no plans to open a temporary library in Annandale while the George Mason one is closed.
The newly renovated library is scheduled to open in summer 2028.
