“A first-class library that the people of Franconia deserve” is how Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay described the new Kingstowne Regional Library, which welcomed crowds measuring well into the hundreds at its April 11 opening.
“This is a huge day,” said McKay, who represented the Franconia District when it was still called the Lee District on the board before becoming chairman.
Nearly two months after their community library branch closed, Kingstowne residents will soon have a brand-new spot to check out books.
The neighborhood’s new regional library, under construction since 2023, will celebrate its official grand opening on Saturday, April 11 as part of the ribbon cutting for the new Franconia Governmental Center (7130 Silver Lake Blvd).
The coming weekend will bring Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and, for Kingstowne residents, the closure of their longtime community library.
Fortunately, patrons won’t have to wait too long for a new place to check out books: after the existing Kingstowne Library closes this Sunday (Feb. 15), a regional branch that has been under construction since 2023 will open at 7130 Silver Lake Blvd early this spring.
Fairfax County’s efforts to divert more waste away from landfills have taken a literary turn.
The county launched a book reuse and recycling program last month that encourages residents to drop any unwanted books into a green donation bin at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road) near Fair Lakes.
Vienna’s Patrick Henry Library is officially being torn down to make way for a more up-to-date and arguably more attractive replacement.
Construction crews began demolishing the one-story library building — which opened at 101 Maple Street East 54 years ago — late last month, slightly ahead of the most recent project timeline shared by Fairfax County Public Library.
With the calendar turning to 2026, local celebrations of America’s 250th birthday will kick into a new gear, leading up to the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing on July 4.
For residents looking to stay closer to home instead of venturing into D.C. for this week’s light show at the Washington Monument, the Town of Vienna will launch its own semiquincentennial festivities this Sunday (Jan. 4) with a “patriotic celebration” near the Town Green.
As Arthur Read famously sang, having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card — especially one designed by the local community.
Earlier this month, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) unveiled the winning designs from a month-long contest that invited members of the public to come up with fresh artwork for its checkout cards.
Culmore Community Library will have only a couple of weeks to enjoy 2026 before shuttering for the remainder of the new year.
Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) announced yesterday (Monday) that its Bailey’s Crossroads branch will close to the public on Jan. 17, 2026 to allow “significant” repairs and upgrades to its heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
Vienna residents will have to wait a little longer than expected to welcome a new, permanent library.
Demolition of the existing Patrick Henry Library is now scheduled to begin in early 2026, pushing its replacement’s anticipated opening back from 2027 to early 2028, Fairfax County Public Library announced yesterday (Wednesday).
Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) officials see a way to avoid considering any serious budget cuts for nearly a decade, but it hinges on a big gamble: construction projects starting on schedule.
For fiscal year 2027, which will begin on July 1, 2026, the public library system is seeking its current funding of $36.5 million after the county directed all agencies stick to their existing service levels, according to a memo submitted by FCPL Director Eric Carzon to Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget Director Phil Hagen on Friday (Sept. 12).
