Fairfax County Public Library
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The Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) in Fairfax County, Virginia, USA is ranked in the top 10 best public libraries in the country for its size, according to HAPLR (Hennen's American Public Library Ratings) Index for 2006.
The first Fairfax County Library opened in 1939. Today there are 22 library branches, eight of which are regional branches, 13 are smaller community branches and one which assists people with disabilities. A new branch will open in the summer of 2008. The library also oversees the county's Archives and Records Management Branch. The library branches span both the county and Fairfax City serving more than 618,000 registered users. The combined population of Fairfax County and Fairfax City at the last census was over one million. The library system is the largest in Virginia. The current Director of the library is Edwin S. Clay III, who has served in his current position for more than twenty years.
In 2007, more than 11.9 million items were borrowed from the library's collection of nearly three million books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and other items. Also in 2007, more than 5.3 million visits were made to the branches and 3.8 million visits were made to the library's Web site.
The library offers a wide variety of services both in the branches and via the Web site. The library has computers for access to the Internet, the catalog, ebooks, downloadable audio books and databases. The library sponsors various programs: national and local author readings and book signings, local musical concerts, and events for the diverse population.
The library has more than 490 full-time employees which includes more than 130 staff with Master’s degrees in library science. Over 3,000 volunteers donated nearly 170,000 hours in 2007. The library often has jobs available and the list[1] is updated every two weeks.
