City Of Falls Church: UPDATE: Library Renovation & Expansion

Press release from the City of Falls Church:

June 22, 2021

Read updates about the status of building construction, when we'll be closing to move back into the new building, and more!

The library renovation and expansion project is coming to an end and the outside of the building is looking great! There’s still some work that needs to be done on the inside including moving our entire collection into its new home and setting up public and staff spaces. Our temporary building will close for curbside service for a few weeks sometime in July (exact date TBD) before reopening in our new building in early/mid-August. 

There are several ways to keep up to date on the latest information and official dates as they’re announced:

• Register for our library eNewsletter
• Check our Library Expansion and Renovation Project webpage

Due Dates: There will be no due dates while the building is closed for our move. If you have any items due during that time, we’ll push those due dates out for you automatically. You can check the status of your due dates online.

Returns: While we will not have due dates while we are closed, you can still return items during that time. At the beginning of our closure, you’ll be able to return items to the temporary library trailer at 601 S Oak St. We will close that outside drop when we no longer have the equipment to process those returns in the trailer, at which point you can return items to the new library in one of the two outside drops (one drive up drop, one in the front of the building). To keep up with exact dates please sign up for our eNewsletter! You can also check for updates on our website.

Reserves: You will not be able to pick up reserves while the library is closed and moving. We will maintain all current reserves that are not picked up before moving – they will be available for 1 week after we open the new building. Also, there will be no access to the ‘reserve’ feature in our online catalog while the building is closed (and for a few days prior to closing as well). We will turn the reserve feature back on right before opening the new building.

Interlibrary Loans: Interlibrary Loan services will be suspended starting Friday, June 25, as we prepare to move back into our renovated library.  Returns will be accepted using curbside service until we close the trailers. Interlibrary Loan requests will be accepted once we reopen to the public.  

eMaterials: These materials can be accessed any time, whether the library is closed or open! You can log into Libby or Overdrive with your library card # and Password. If you don’t remember your password you can call (703-248-5031 TTY 711) or send a text message (703-520-2484 TTY711). Though, if you made your card before the library closed for Covid-19 in March 2020, your password likely defaults to your 10 digit phone number we have on record.

Contacting the Library: We will still be responding to email, text messages, and voicemails while the library is closed, though our response time may be slower than usual due to the move. We will also be making and mailing new library cards during that time as well.

Automatic Renewals: We plan to continue automatic renewals in the new building- remember, materials will automatically renew twice, as long as no other patron has an item on reserve.

Fine Free: We no longer charge fines for overdue materials. Patrons are billed for materials that are not returned within 28 days of their due date.

Please contact us if you have any questions!

This press release was produced by the City of Falls Church. The views expressed are the author's own.