library | FFXnow

Fairfax County Public Library launches online portal for historical photos

Published November 10, 2026 at 3:45PM

This photo of the Herndon Railway Station was taken in 1977 and is from the Virginia Room's collection of photos from the Fairfax County Office of Comprehensive Planning, Heritage Resources Branch. (via Fairfax County Public Library)

The City of Fairfax Regional Library’s Virginia Room has long stewarded an extensive collection of historical photographs taken throughout the decades in the county, city, and region. Now, many of those snapshots are available online through Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL).

Launched last week, the Fairfax County History Portal now offers users 24/7 access to more than 5,600 digitized, vintage photos that include local landmarks, aerial views of neighborhoods, and Park Authority sites spanning from Great Falls to Centreville.

News

George Mason Regional Library to close in October for two-year renovation

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 2, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated September 2, 2026 at 5:27PM

Entrance to the George Mason Regional Library in Annandale (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

George Mason Regional Library (7001 Little River Turnpike) will be out of commission starting next month while it undergoes a long-planned renovation.

Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) announced yesterday (Sept. 1) that the library’s last day of operations will be Oct. 23, leaving the Annandale area with limited access to library services for the next few months.

News

County exploring idea of combining Chantilly library with affordable housing

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 9, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated July 13, 2026 at 11:07PM

The Chantilly Regional Library and Technical Operations Center (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Fairfax County is inviting local residents to learn about a possible plan to combine a renovation of the Chantilly Regional Library and technical operations facility with affordable housing and community space.

The community meeting will be held July 16, from 6-7:30 p.m., at the Chantilly High School cafeteria (4201 Stringfellow Road) across from the library.

News

Centreville could get new library combined with affordable housing

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 19, 2026 at 11:45AM

Flowers at Centreville Regional Library (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Fairfax County is exploring the possibility of building a new Centreville Regional Library, combined in one building with affordable housing.

“The project could be built through a partnership with a private developer, and it may include new homes and an updated library in one building, featuring amenities for residents and the greater Centreville community,” Allyson Pearce, marketing and outreach manager for the county’s Department of Housing and Community Development, told FFXnow.

News

Opening of Kingstowne library gives Franconia residents ‘first-class’ branch to call their own

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 14, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated April 15, 2026 at 3:11PM

Patrons get questions answered at Kingstowne Regional Library opening (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

“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.

News

New Franconia Governmental Center seen as a model for future facilities

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 13, 2026 at 8:30AM

County leaders cut ribbon on new Franconia Governmental Center (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

After a relatively brisk 25 minutes of speeches followed by the snip of a red ribbon, the new Franconia Governmental Center opened to the public Saturday morning (April 11).

That moment represented the culmination of “two and a half — plus — decades of planning,” said Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk at the dedication ceremony, which attracted hundreds to the facility at 7130 Silver Lake Blvd, located south of Manchester Blvd and east of Beulah Street.

News

New Kingstowne library, other Franconia facilities to open doors next week

By Jared Serre

Published April 2, 2026 at 11:45AM

The new Franconia District Governmental Center at 7130 Silver Lake Blvd (staff photo by James Cullum)

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).

News

UPDATED: GMU gives all-clear after bomb threat closed library

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 13, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated March 13, 2026 at 4:11PM

The lobby of George Mason University's Fenwick Library (staff photo)

Update — George Mason University Police have determined that the bomb threat targeting Fenwick Library was unfounded.

“Law enforcement conducted an extensive search of the building and no devices were found,” a GMU spokesperson said. “The area has been deemed safe and normal operations may resume.”

News

Oakton’s library could be renamed after the late Gerry Connolly

By Jared Serre

Published February 23, 2026 at 2:45PM

Voters line up at Oakton Library (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Oakton’s public library could soon bear the name of one of the most vocal advocates for its construction.

A request to rename the library in honor of the late Gerry Connolly has been submitted to the Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees by two members of the county’s Board of Supervisors: Chairman Jeff McKay and Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik.

Countywide

Revised bond funding plan would delay library upgrades, Springfield community center

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 20, 2026 at 2:45PM

Herndon Fortnightly Library (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County would overhaul its plan for funding facility renovations and other capital projects with bonds under the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget plan presented by County Executive Bryan Hill earlier this week.

Some projects have been deferred, others shifted to Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (EDA) bonds, and still others eliminated from the bond schedule entirely.