<cl>On opening day, April 11, the new library attracted quite a crowd.
When the new Franconia District Center building opened this past spring, a new regional library was part of the facility that houses the latest information technology that provides a needed asset to the residents in this southern part of Fairfax County.
This 30,000-square-foot library is Kingstowne Regional Library. The new regional branch is open seven days a week, offering 55,000 items to library visitors in the form of books, electronic facilities and county-related materials related to the surrounding community. The number of items available consists of 36,802 items from the former library and 18,500 new items, the library information said.
This library has lots of natural light, a large children’s section, a separate teen area, plentiful seating with tables, bookable small study rooms, modern conference/meeting room options and a large wi-fi bar with ample power for visitors to bring their own devices. In addition to the library and senior center, the new building also houses the Franconia Police Station, the office of the Franconia District supervisor, the Franconia Museum and a new childcare center.
Upcoming activities at the new library include
* Rocknoceros Family Concert on July 2,
* Lecture by author Derek Baxter discussing his revolutionary war book;
* Baby story time on July 7.
These are just a sample of the community-friendly activities that the regional library can offer.
The former library space is about two miles from the new government center in rented retail space in Lansdowne Centre. Library officials closed that branch in February and packed everything up for the two-mile trip to the new space on Beulah Street.
