Advocacy
In addition to serving as a catalyst for attracting private funding from individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations to enhance library services for our community, the mission of the Fairfax Library Foundation includes reinforcing the need for continued and increased public support.
Specific budgetary information is available on the Fairfax County Public Library Web site.
Current Initiatives
2012 Library Bond ReferendumThe Fairfax Library Foundation urges voters to vote YES on the Library Bond Referendum. On November 6th, when you go to your local polling place, the presidential election will not be the only item on the ballot. For voters in Fairfax County, four bond referendum questions will also appear on the ballot. The Library Bond Referendum will have a major impact on the quality of life in Fairfax County. The referendum will provide funding for renovations, new construction, and much needed upgrades at four of the library’s 23 branches: Tysons-Pimmit Regional, Pohick Regional, Reston Regional, and John Marshall Library. Of the library’s branches, these four reside in the oldest buildings yet to be renovated. Read more . . .
Prior Initiatives
2004 Library Bond Referendum
In 2004, the Fairfax Library Foundation created an Ad Hoc Committee to advocate for the 2004 Library Bond Referendum. The $52.5 million 2004 referendum, the first Library Bond Referendum in 15 years, funded the FCPL’s Capital Improvement Program, which included the construction of the Burke Centre Library and Oakton Library; renovations of the Thomas Jefferson Library, Richard Byrd Library, Dolley Madison Library, and the Martha Washington Library; and Capital Renewal. The Bond Referendum received endorsements from thirteen separate community organizations, including the Foundation, and passed with 71% of the community vote.
Mathy House Reception
The Foundation Board invited the Fairfax County Public Library's Board of Trustees to a reception on October 20th, 2007 honoring Library Director Edwin S. Clay's more than 25 years of service to the library. The reception was held at the Mathy House near the campus of George Mason University.
Legislative Receptions
The Library Foundation has been involved in the following initiatives to provide educational information and promote the need for additional public support of our library.
Delegate Sickles donation of special session salary to the Library Foundation
Delegate Mark Sickles received a Certificate of Recognition from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for his 11 years of service to the Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees. He then contributed his per-diem expense check from the General Assembly Special Session to the Library Foundation. He stated that, “while this money doesn't do enough to eliminate the library funding formula's bias against Fairfax County, at least it might help bring some attention to the issue.”
Delegate Sickles' bill to eliminate this discrimination was not included in this year's budget, he stated, “it just means I'll have to introduce the bill again next year and continue fighting for Fairfax's fair share from the state.”
Fairfax County Recognizes Library Foundation's First Decade
The Board of Supervisors recognized the Fairfax Library Foundation for 10 years of service to the community. The foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation begun in 1994 to provide supplementary support to the county’s public library system. In addition, the Library Foundation funds literacy outreach programs for at-risk youth and English language learners, supports live events for adults featuring famous authors, and attracts donations of bestsellers in English and funding for books in other languages.
Representative Moran Supports Early Literacy Outreach
A special presentation was made to thank Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) for securing $100,000 in funding for Fairfax Library Foundation for the Motheread®/Fatheread® early literacy outreach program through the federal omnibus appropriations bill. The event included a story session with approximately 20 children chaperoned by their parents or caregivers. Congressman Moran stressed the importance of reading to children within the first five years.
Motheread®/Fatheread® helps children from low-income families, and those with limited English, develop reading skills. Parents are taught to improve family communication through reading books to their children and discussing concepts introduced by the stories. The program provides children's books so that families can read together at home.