Best Fairfax County Library?

[Anonymous]

Are any of the Fairfax county libraries better in terms of the children’s section? We’ve been to the main branch several times and I’ve always left underwhelmed. Back home our local library has a huge kids section designed/geared toward kids with play activities, indoor play area and tons and tons of kids books. Anything like that here?

[Anonymous]

Tyson’s Pimmit was redone recently and has a large section like this.

[Anonymous]

I think it's "hit-or-miss" across the county. All libraries have children's sections. Some are better than others. Our regional library (Pohick) was recently renovated and features a large children's section; however, I generally find a better selection of children's books at Kings Park -- a nearby local library.

[Anonymous]

All the Fairfax libraries are awful. Loudoun County libraries are beautiful if you want to take a drive to the country.

[Anonymous]

No, honestly, the Fairfax County libraries are poor, especially given the sheer amount of money that exists in this county. I’m originally from Cleveland, and the Cuyahoga County libraries are amazing in comparison. And they have a lot fewer resources there. But they invest a lot in their libraries and it shows.

I’ve had the best success here with Fairfax Regional and Kings Park, but even those are just average.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's "hit-or-miss" across the county. All libraries have children's sections. Some are better than others. Our regional library (Pohick) was recently renovated and features a large children's section; however, I generally find a better selection of children's books at Kings Park -- a nearby local library.

Yes, Pohick is very nice.

[Anonymous]

We have good luck finding holiday titles and have fun at George Mason Regional. We live closer to several others, but drive to George Mason because they have blocks and a better book selection. But I agree...I am a school librarian and the FCPL libraries are totally underwhelming!

[Anonymous]

FCPL has a pretty good selection IMO. They get interesting new releases fairly promptly. Lotta times you might have to wait for your hold to come through, but oh well.

Also, they have a great interlibrary loan system, so what they don't have, they can get for you. I know a few years ago there was that outrage about them throwing books away - not sure if they're still doing that, but probably.

[Anonymous]

I wish FCPL would quit "investing" in computer stations so people can sit there and surf the web.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, honestly, the Fairfax County libraries are poor, especially given the sheer amount of money that exists in this county. I’m originally from Cleveland, and the Cuyahoga County libraries are amazing in comparison. And they have a lot fewer resources there. But they invest a lot in their libraries and it shows.

I’ve had the best success here with Fairfax Regional and Kings Park, but even those are just average.

In case you're interested, the reason the libraries here in FFX county are "poor" when the county itself is very wealthy is due to state politics. The state of Virginia gives more than 70% of our FFX county taxes to other counties in Virginia. Not even kidding...we don't even keep half. It makes sense to me to help other counties and give them a bit of a boost. But "helping" would be more like 18-35%...not robbing us of MOST of our tax dollars. Makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

Oakton library is pretty good, they have a decent selection and I do homework there a lot.

[Anonymous]

Tyson's Pimmit. You will want to utilize reserve/holds for a better selection, but it has a play area. Many of the others in this area have a couple toys or no play area.

Fairfax county has reciprocity with Falls Church, which has a better library for kids imo. The play area is nicer, though sometimes crowded. It's in the basement, which allows kids to play with a little more freedom. And though selection of books is smaller (less you can reserve), the librarian has great taste. This makes it easier to pick a good book off the shelf, which is what, I think, you're hoping to find.

[Anonymous]

Beatley Library in Alexandria City is wonderful.

[Anonymous]

FCPL has been culling older, potentially problematic children's books from their collection, so their selection of non-insipid fiction written earlier than yesterday is in sharp decline. Luckily, it's a huge system, and enough is in circulation that you can order multiple items (or go on waitlist) through their catalog. Not good for physical browsing.

But the library sales are fantastic, and you can browse your way to a lot of great stuff there.

[Anonymous]

Fairfax libraries are pitiful.

They should designate one computer-free and have an old school childrens section.