Fairfax County has hired a new library director who brings a wealth of experience with him.
Eric Carzon will assume Fairfax County Public Library’s top position on Nov. 4, the county announced on Monday (Sept. 30). Recruited from Montgomery County, Maryland, where he was a regional manager, he succeeds Jessica Hudson, who left the position earlier this year.
During the fiscal year that ended in June, FCPL saw more than 2.87 million visits, continuing a rebound from declines during the Covid pandemic, according to budget documents. County officials expect nearly 3 million visits this fiscal year. The system has more than 566,000 card-holders — nearly half the county’s population.
With nearly $35 million in total expenditures, operational costs for the library system for fiscal year 2025 will be about $28 for each of Fairfax’s 1.1 million residents.
According to a survey conducted annually, FCPL holds an 85% customer-satisfaction ranking. About 80% of those who use the library system’s website say they are content with what is available, county officials said.
From the county government’s news release announcing Carzon’s appointment:
“He played a significant role in launching MCPL’s first Library of Things Music in 2018, a project that expanded access to diverse resources. Additionally, he contributed to numerous capital projects aimed at enhancing library services and facilities across the region.
Carzon has been a leader on several initiatives that received national recognition. Notable among these is the Library Refresh Capital Improvements Program, which focused on modernizing library spaces to better serve community needs. He also helped establish a successful partnership with KIDMuseum, which provided innovative educational programs for local youth.
Carzon holds master’s degrees in library information science and public management from the University of Maryland at College Park. He is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American Library Association and the Public Library Association.”
