Fairfax County To Lift Time Limits On Library Patron Visits

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — The Fairfax County Public Library system plans to resume normal services and do away with time limits for patrons starting Saturday, June 5. Currently, there is a 30-minute limit on how long patrons can stay at a library branch.

The return to normal services means FCPL will resume charging fines on materials returned past their due date. Also, holds on materials will expire if not picked up before the pick-up date.

Under the new expanded hours, regional branches will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Previously, regional branches were open only from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Community branches will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Community branches will not be open on Sundays.

Curbside services will remain available to patrons on days branches are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. FCPL still cannot accept donations due to capacity restraints at its branches.

Plexiglass shields at customer service desks will remain in place, the library system said. In accordance with Virginia guidance, mask-wearing will not be required inside library branches for people who have received a COVID-19 vaccination, while patrons who have not been vaccinated are expected to wear a face-covering.

Personal computers will be available for use by the public at pre-pandemic levels: 30-minute sessions, with unlimited sessions per card per day.

In-person library programming, either indoors or outdoors, can resume starting June 5. However, FCPL will continue to offer virtual programming for all ages, which can be found on the FCPL online calendar, YouTube channel and Facebook page. FCPL has put together a list of the top 10 ways to access library services from home.

Also, meeting rooms will reopen for public bookings beginning June 5.