Op-Ed by Daria Parnes of Oak Hill, Fairfax County
I have been a public library advocate my whole life!
As a child I was transported to fantasy lands, explored the world and did my homework in my local library. In college I was on work study scholarship based in my university library. I went on the graduate school for my Masters in Library Science degree. Then I worked in libraries across the country in various positions and witnessed first-hand how life altering fully funded library services can be to their communities: story-times, school support, public computers, adult language classes, how-to materials, current information and many more services/topics of interest, some of which we take for granted.
I have found that public library funding mirrors the story about the canary in the mine. The canary’s health reflects the air quality in the mine. Public libraries reflect the vitality of the communities within which they reside. Canaries need clean air to survive and public libraries need to be fully funded to flourish.
For the past three years, the Friends and Advocates Network (FAN),of which I am a member, has worked to support Fairfax County Public Libraries (FCPL) by advocating to the Board of Supervisors for adequate library funding. Created by the Library Board of Trustees, FAN gives residents a voice in ensuring that our libraries remain strong and accessible to all.
Thanks to community advocacy, FCPL received one-time additions to its collection budget of $300,000 in FY 2024 and $500,000 in FY 2025. Although serious countywide fiscal challenges prevented a permanent increase last year, residents made clear how much the library means to them. In a year when many county agencies sustained budget cuts, FCPL did not—an outcome that reflects strong public support.
As the FY 2027 budget process begins, the Board of Supervisors must hear from residents early. The current FCPL collection budget of $3.172 million amounts to about $3 per resident per year. By comparison, nearby and similarly sized library systems spend $7 to $10 per resident annually. This gap has serious consequences.
FCPL is now rationing books. Most new titles are purchased only for the six regional libraries, with few or none available at the 14 community branches. Many residents experience long waits—often months—for popular titles. Nonfiction collections are also increasingly outdated.
Many nonfiction titles on the shelf are old or outdated. A March 2025 comparison of materials on artificial intelligence highlights the problem. FCPL holds 845 AI-related titles, while Montgomery County, Maryland, holds 4,107. Only 26% of FCPL’s titles were published in 2023 or later, compared with 46% in Montgomery County. That system also offers instant access to 3,000 eBooks through a service funded within its $8 million collection budget—something FCPL cannot afford with its current funding.
One-time infusions of money are no longer sufficient. To bring FCPL’s collection budget in line with comparable library systems, FCPL is requesting an increase of $8–$11 million over the next five years to permanently raise the base budget. This investment would benefit students, job seekers, families, seniors, and lifelong learners throughout Fairfax County.
Community voices are essential. Please contact your District Supervisor by visiting www.fairfaxcounty.gov and selecting “Board of Supervisors.” You may also call to request a personal meeting. Please share how you use the library and why a fully funded collection matters to you. Personal stories illustrate how libraries affect our daily lives and families.
Your voice is magnified by including others in your support! Please consider involving your local communities: families, schools, civic associations and other affiliations. Help get the word out.
Please mark your calendars when the Advertised Budget will be released released on February 17, 2027. Get ready to help spread the word of how important public libraries are to our communities! We are facing another difficult budget year, but your advocacy continues to be a powerful voice for the library. You, and your efforts are very much appreciated and will reflect back to our communities.
