Celebrating Literature

The Perspective Series

    The Perspectives Series features appearances by Judge Kenneth W. Starr; Newsweek Contributing Editor Eleanor Clift; political analyst James Carville; and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. The series is cosponsored by the Library's Center for the Book and the Alden Theatre, and made possible through funding from the Fairfax County Public Library Foundation, Inc.

Ken Starr discusses his book First Among Equals: The Supreme Court in American Life.

James Carville presents "A Look at American Politics" and his book, Suck Up, Buck Up . . . and Come Back When You Foul Up.

The series ends with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, as she discusses her book, Lazy B: Growing Up on a Cattle Ranch in the American Southwest.

Volunteers Establish $500,000 Fairfax County Children's Reading Fund Endowment

     The Friends of the George Mason Regional Library in Annandale, Virginia have donated over $200,000 to Fairfax County Public Library Foundation, Inc. to establish an endowment to support the Summer Library Program of the Fairfax County Public Library. Interest from the endowment will help pay the fees for more than 125 programs performed by magicians, puppeteers, storytellers and other artists. Last summer more than 43,000 children participated in the Summer Library Program.

The Friends group raised the money through used book sales that have become a community institution over the past 28 years. The fall and spring events attract book collectors and dealers from as far away as Atlanta. One recent sale netted about $54,000.

The $500,000 endowment continues the Friends' support for the Summer Library Program, which began a dozen years ago. Over the years, the Friends support of the Program has grown from $10,000 per year to $25,000.

"Overall the George Mason Friends have been the single largest contributor to the system, after the Board of Supervisors," says Library Director Edwin S. Clay, III. "This endowment ensures the future of our popular and outstanding Summer Library Program."

Putting on such successful book sales is no small task. In March and April 2002, volunteers put in more than 1,700 hours to prepare for the spring sale. Much of the work to create the large endowment has been done by a core of long-time volunteers that work year-round to ensure the success of the book sales.

One such volunteer is Helen Langford, who until a cancer diagnosis required her to curtail her activities, was at the Library branch each day sorting and organizing books for the sale. Langford, who is also the past president of the Friends group, has been involved with the book sales for 20 years. She was honored at a special ceremony in April when the Library Board of Trustees named the Friends room at the George Mason Regional Library after her.

Langford's husband, John, credits his wife with turning the sales into the giant success they have become. "She has a great relationship with Library staff, and she was able to work with the branch manager and expand the area used for the sale," he says. With more sale space, revenue jumped significantly in just one year, Langford explains.

The Library Friends group is just one of the volunteer activities Langford enjoyed. For many years, she was also active with the Annandale Christian Community for Action, serving as transportation coordinator. She also has been active in Meals on Wheels and Neighborhood Watch.

Another Friends volunteer, Mary Zimmerman, who now serves as president of the Friends group, as well as a Foundation Board Director, considers herself a "founding mother" of the group. Back in 1974, the branch manager wanted to bring ballet dancers to the branch and pay them $10. The Library didn't have funds for such a program at the time, so a Library Board Trustee recruited Zimmerman, and the Friends group was born. Zimmerman, who still works full-time as a history teacher at the Northern Virginia Community College, has been active with the group for the entire 28 years.

A third long-time volunteer, Yildiz Agnello, perhaps puts in the most volunteer hours these days. According to Zimmerman, Agnello showed up about 10 years ago and declared, "You guys need help." She has been volunteering ever since, and visits the branch twice a day to sort books.

It's the sorting process that contributes to the sales' success, Zimmerman believes. "Things move if people can find what they are looking for."

James Patterson

     James Patterson, best-selling author of the Alex Cross series, the Women's Murder Club series, and Beach House, discussed his work through a free program sponsored by the Fairfax County Public Library Center for the Book and funded by Fairfax County Public Library Foundation. Patterson's books were available for sale and signing. This is one of the popular programs in which members of our community meet renowned authors.

Library Foundation Hosts Lynne Cheney

     The Fairfax County Public Library Foundation, Inc. welcomed Lynne Cheney, author and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, at a special Fairfax County Public Library Center for the Book event co-sponsored by Cox Communications, Inc.

During Constitution Week, Cheney spoke on the importance of teaching children about American history. "Time and again, we receive reports that young people are woefully lacking in knowledge of the past," Cheney has said. "Insuring the historical literacy of the next generation is not solely the responsibility of schools. Parents and grandparents and other adults should talk to children and young people about the American past."

A former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Cheney is also the author or co-author of six books, including Telling the Truth: Why Our Culture and Our Country Have Stopped Making Sense - and What We Can Do About It; and Kings of the Hill, written with husband and now Vice President Richard B. Cheney. Her latest book, America: A Patriotic Primer, released in May, is an alphabet book for children of all ages and their families. The book celebrates the ideas and ideals that are the foundations of America. Mrs. Cheney's net proceeds from America are being donated to charity.

"Mrs. Cheney's presentation was fascinating," Starr says. "Her command of American history is remarkable, and I have enjoyed reading her new children's book, America: A Patriotic Primer, as it makes learning this nation's history both interesting and fun for children, their teachers and parents."