WHEREAS, for 85 years, the Fairfax County Public Library, now the largest library system in the Commonwealth, has provided essential resources to inform, engage with, and inspire members of the Fairfax County community; and

WHEREAS, established in 1939, the Fairfax County Public Library was originally a bookmobile program with a budget of $250 and has grown to serve more than 578,000 cardholders at eight regional branches, 14 community branches, and a special access branch for people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Fairfax County Public Library promotes and strengthens literacy through comprehensive collections of educational and recreational resources and further serves members of the public by offering community spaces, innovative programming, and access to technology; and

WHEREAS, during fiscal year 2023, the Fairfax County Public Library recorded 2,805,516 branch visits, 373,882 Wi-Fi sessions, a program attendance of 217,719, and an overall circulation of 11,220,910 print and electronic materials, all of which were increases from the previous year; and

WHEREAS, in fiscal year 2023, Fairfax County Public Library's programs and services represented a significant return on investment for the county and well over $200 million in value to the community; and

WHEREAS, Fairfax County has fulfilled its mission through the hard work and expertise of its staff members and tens of thousands of hours of support from generous volunteers; and

WHEREAS, over the course of its history, Fairfax County Public Library has built meaningful relationships with members of the public and local partners, fostered personal growth and educational achievement, and embraced innovation and creativity to better serve its members; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Fairfax County Public Library on the occasion of its 85th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Fairfax County Public Library as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the library system's vital work to promote literacy among generations of Fairfax County residents.