Fairfax Library and the community

Fairfax County Library Bookmobile, often repurposed vehicles. This one in particular was blue.

    After years of Fairfax and the surrounding area maintained what was generally a volunteer library service as far back as 1897. In 1938 Fairfax County established the Fairfax Library system we know today, consolidated what was built up by the community over the years. Upon gaining the funding from a combination of donations from the board of supervisors, state, federal and local sponsors, Fairfax began to shape up to be an organized county library system. Despite this new funding, access to a population hungry for books was lacking, and so the Bookmobile was created. Described as a blue truck, which was able to carry 600 volumes initially, served the people of Fairfax County in 1940.^[1] Another amazing feat which indicates to the high demand for libraries in Fairfax county is the number of libraries opened from 1950 to 1963, a total of nine libraries, and one library headquarter opened to the public. Three years after the Bookmobile went into operation.^[2]

    In just 20 years after the Fairfax Public Library was established, the number of books in circulation in 1960 reaches over one million. Now with the access to films in their inventory Fairfax Library sees upwards of 3,213 films shown to 179,142 members of the public.^[3] During this time Fairfax Library starts a public event known as the “Wonderful World of Films,” advertised to the public regularly in the local newspapers. These films included everything from the history of Abraham Lincoln, nature conservation, children’s stories, studies of alcoholism, religious films, sports topics, information for parents to raise a child, etc.^[4]

    Each of these films were screened beforehand by library staff and administration, presented to the public only after approval.^[5] This system of screening was established by the American Library Association after concerns over "blind" film bookings, where films were not reviewed due to a lack of staff to do so. Aswell as, expenses incurred by purchasing films becoming an issue. In which the ALA established guidelines on how to manage cooperatives with neighboring library systems, to lend and screen films among one another.^[6] These films depicted life outside the United States, offering the public a broader sense of people and cultures in other parts of the world. Often shown for free, with a first come-first serve policy depending on a locations capacity.^[7] For Fairfax County the library became a destination for families, entertainment, and education. Understanding this, the Fairfax Public Library decided to showcase families within their own newsletters to the public, such as the Gibson family.^[8]

    The Fairfax County Libraries also followed the policies and guidelines set by the American Library Association (ALA). Which embraced a diverse selection of books and media, against ideas of discriminating chosen items based on race, nationality, religious or political views.^[9] With relation to the calls for censorship the Fairfax Library received, the ALA also established that a library should challenge requests to censor material because it is the duty of a library to offer the public information from a wide variety of ideas.^[10]