Beginning last week, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) has offered to all community members the ability to use the library from home by visiting its Library Services During Closure guide to learn how to access virtual services and resources. While the library’s physical spaces may be temporarily closed due to COVID-19, residents can discover expanded eBook and audiobook collections, online storytimes, virtual workshops and book discussions for adults, digital events for teens, and more — all from home.
At Fairfax County Public Library, cardholders can access a wide array of virtual services:
- Just for Kids streaming videos;
- Language learning through Mango Languages and Rocket Languages;
- Online courses through Lynda.com, Universal Class, Great Courses eAudio, and LearningExpress Library;
- Consumer Reports product reviews and the Home Improvement Reference Center to support purchases and projects at home;
- Research databases, including the Foundation Directory Online Essential temporarily available from home;
- Genealogical resources, including in-library-only resources like Ancestry.com temporarily open for at-home use;
- And more, shared in the Top 10 Ways to FCPL from Home.
For those who do not yet have a library card, an online library card application will provide a temporary card number. When the library reopens, new applicants can visit their local branches to pick up and validate physical cards.
In addition, while FCPL branches are closed to the public, limited internet coverage is available outside from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. While Fairfax County Public Library’s wi-fi network was built for internal access, the system has increased its branches’ signals where possible to provide limited outside coverage 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Areas closer to the branches should provide the chance for wi-fi connectivity — whether one is continuing educational coursework, keeping a business running, responding to the census, or completing other online tasks while social distancing.
This information is available online at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/celebrate-national-library-week-fairfax-county-public-library.