October 16, 2024

Neighbors,

Last fiscal year, the Fairfax County Public Library made more than 3 million digital loans for the first time ever — and on Monday night, the library hit this milestone for this year.

There are only a handful of library systems in the world that have this many digital checkouts. And digital loans of e-books and audiobooks are becoming increasingly popular, making up a significant number of the almost 12 million circulated physical and electronic items.

But did you realize that digital books aren’t the same as physical books when it comes to the library’s ability to buy and lend them?

Under the law, you only pay a publisher once for a physical book, and this cornerstone of U.S. copyright law allows libraries to sustainably lend books. However, this doesn’t apply to digital books. They’re provided to libraries — and you too — under a license agreement, just like when you purchase software. (This is also why you can’t donate e-books to the library; it’s prohibited by the license.)

This system means that publishers don’t have to sell electronic titles to libraries, and they often charge libraries much higher prices compared to what individual consumers would pay. For example, comedian Trevor Noah’s bestselling memoir and Audie Award-winning “Born a Crime” and Eleanor Catton’s Booker Prize-winning “Birnam Wood” aren’t available as audiobooks at the library. They’re exclusively offered by Audible.

Or take the example of Kristen Hannah’s “The Women,” which is the e-book with the longest waitlist at the library. (If you want this #1 New York Times bestseller, put yourself on the list now, but be patient!) You can buy this book a Kindle version for $14.99 or pay $18.45 for the hardback. But the library must pay $60 for this e-book — almost four times as much as you’d pay for a digital copy — and this book is automatically removed from the library’s collection in 24 months when the license expires.

Publishers have varied and complex licensing models for digital books, and this explains why you may not be able to find the title you want at the library. These licensing agreements may also be the reason a popular title disappears from the library’s collection after a time.

To help our library meet these challenges in the short term, I worked with my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors last spring to include an additional $500,000 in the current budget for the library’s book collections. The Friends of the Reston Regional Library also generously donated $100,000 this year to help the library bolster its children’s collection too.

As book lovers, I hope this lengthy explanation gives you some insight into the challenges our library faces in getting the next great read into your hands. And in the long-run, we need to find a way for public libraries to thrive in a digital world.

Regards,

Walter

In conjunction with industry nonprofit Call2Recycle,the county is rolling out battery recycling boxes at various county facilities, including at my offices at the North County Governmental Center at 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston. Bring your rechargeable and single-use alkaline batteries to recycle here.

Why it Matters: By offering more locations to recycle your batteries, this pilot program will help the county to achieve its zero waste goal — diverting 90% of the trash that’s currently incinerated or landfilled. Batteries thrown out in the trash can also cause fires with several incidents occurring in the county, according to the Fire Marshal.

Recyclable Battery Types: These types of batteries are accepted:

Alkaline/Single-use Batteries

These are the common batteries used for remotes, flashlights, clocks, smoke detectors and more.

• AA, AAA, 9-volt,
• C cell, D cell, button cell
• Lithium Primary
• Carbon Zinc

Rechargeable Batteries

These kinds of batteries are typically found in cordless power tools, digital cameras, two-way radios and cordless phones:

• Nickle Metal Hydride
• Nickel Cadmium
• Lithium Ion
• Nickle Zinc
• Small Sealed Lead Acid (typically found in emergency devices, emergency exit signs, security systems, mobility scooters and UPS back-ups).

Other Battery Recycling Sites: There are businesses like big box retailers that accept batteries for recycling, and you may also take them to these county facilities:

• Fairfax County Government Center, Solid Waste Offices, Suite 458
• I-66 Transfer Station (accepted as household hazardous waste)
• I-95 Landfill (accepted as household hazardous waste)

Last year, the county collected thousands of pounds of batteries at the transfer station and landfill — and the new battery recycling boxes will help us recycle even more!

As it begins to design the Soapstone Connector, the Virginia Department of Transportation wants your feedback by Friday, Nov. 1. They will build an extension of Soapstone Drive from Sunrise Valley Drive to Sunset Hills Road via a new bridge over the Dulles Toll Road.

Why it Matters: Your feedback will help VDOT to refine its design for the connector before it’s finalized for construction. The agency will publicly present its design late next year with final design approval anticipated in spring 2026.

Road Design: The connector’s alignment (see image below) was chosen following extensive study and federal approval, and the road’s design calls for:

• Two lanes (one in each direction)
• Painted median
• On-road, 8-foot buffered bike lanes
• Shared-use path on the east side
• Sidewalk on the west side
• Room for future dedicated transit or adding another lane each way across the bridge

Additionally, the project will upgrade the traffic signal at Sunrise Valley Drive and Soapstone Drive, and it will install a new traffic light at the new road's intersection at Sunset Hills Road if warranted.

Project Purpose: The connector serves three main goals:

• Improve multimodal connectivity to the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station
• Improve accessibility and mobility to and within the area surrounding the Wiehle Metro Station
• Reduce congestion and travel delay at intersections along Wiehle Avenue and Reston Parkway

As the area surrounding the Wiehle Metro Station develops now and in the future, there will be more people who are walking, biking and riding transit, and the Soapstone Connector will help them get around this area. The road extension also will help to disperse traffic, offering another way around the transit station area and across the Dulles Toll Road.

Without the connector, traffic delays in this area are forecast to almost double by 2046.

Additional Background: This road improvement was first proposed in 2008, and it was incorporated into the Reston Comprehensive Plan in 2014 and retained in the 2023 update. The county conducted an engineering study that looked at 30 different possible alignments for the Soapstone Connector to determine a preferred alternative with the federal government providing final approval to move forward with the project in January. 

Reston District Police Station Community Engagement Meeting Oct. 23

The station’s Community Advisory Committee meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. at the Reston Community Center Lake Anne, Jo Ann Rose Gallery, 1609-A Washington Plaza North, Reston. These meetings are open to anyone who's interested. On Wednesday, you’ll learn about the Civilian Police Academy and Open Data Portal. District station commanders also will provide updates and answer questions. For more information email Officer Jenette Post.

Watch Out for Deer on the Road in the Fall

Watch out for deer on the roads during the next few months — especially during the early morning and evening hours.

In Fairfax County, there are hundreds of crashes involving deer each year — and more than half happen in October, November and December during their mating season when deer are more active.

Deer also forage along roadsides in the fall as other foods become more limited, so this is another reason to keep an eye out. 

With Daylight Saving Time ending in a few weeks, the shorter days mean that deer are on the move during peak travel times and more motorists are driving in the dark.

Follow these tips to avoid an accident:

• Watch for eye shine along roadsides. If you see one deer, it is likely that there are others nearby.
• Use your high beams as traffic allows to spot deer further away.
• Pay attention to deer crossing signs and be careful in areas where deer are known to travel.
• If a deer is stopped in the roadway, slow down and flash your headlights. Deer can become mesmerized or blinded by bright steady lights.
• Slow down or stop if necessary to avoid hitting a deer but you should never swerve out of the lane to miss one. A crash with another car or anything along the roadside is likely to be more serious.
• Take your foot off the brake at the time of a crash. This reduces the chance of a deer flying through your windshield or windows when hit.

If a deer is injured or killed, immediately report the crash to the Fairfax County Police Department’s non-emergency line at 703-691-2131.

Reston Planning and Zoning Meeting Oct. 21

This virtual meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. To attend by phone, dial 571-429-5982 and enter conference ID 419 237 619#. At the meeting, county staff will present proposed changes to the Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process ahead of the 2025 SSPA nomination period, and developer EYA will present a proposal for mixed use redevelopment of Lake Fairfax Business Center.

For meeting agendas, visit the Land Use and Zoning webpage, and email Mark Goldberg-Foss or call 703-478-5123.

I am seeking Hunter Mill District residents who wish to serve on county boards, authorities or commissions. If you are interested in joining the following bodies, please email Gwenn Minton on my staff.

Industrial Development Authority

An at-large representative is sought for a four-year term to this authority that meets one to two times per year. The IDA is responsible for entering into loan agreements, contracts, deeds, and other instruments for the purpose of financing and refinancing medical facilities. This authority helps to introduce resolutions for Inova Health System Review Bonds for the benefit of the Inova Health System. Applicants will be required to complete an economic interest disclosure.

Board of Building and Fire Prevention Code Appeals

This board needs a design professional for a four-year term. To qualify, you must be a registered design professional with fire protection engineering experience, or a fire protection contractor with at least 10 years of experience, five of which shall have been in responsible charge of work. This board acts on applications for appeals to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code. The board meets as necessary to comply with appeal hearing requirements.

Let’s “Party Like its 1999!” when I join the Vienna Halloween Parade on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. Head to Maple Avenue (from Branch Road to Center Street) to see the floats and entertainment. All costumed children, mummies and daddies who wish to march in the parade should meet at 6 p.m. at United Bank, 374 Maple Avenue, East. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. This year’s parade theme celebrates and honors the Club Phoenix Teen Center that was founded in 1999. Parade details.

Darden Purcell’s Last Concert Oct. 18

Enjoy national recording artist and vocalist Darden Purcell as she closes out the Happy Hour with Darden and Friends series at Reston Town Center’s Town Square Park on Friday, Oct. 18 at 5 p.m. She’ll perform jazz standards, classics from the Great American Songbook and Brazilian hits that celebrate the best season of the year— fall. Details.

Frying Pan Farm Harvest Festival and Carnival Oct. 18-20

Take a whirl on the exciting rides during the carnival at Frying Pan Farm Park. Watch the cider press in action, milk a cow, shell corn, peel apples and play old-fashion games. The ever-popular and always sold-out pony rides on Sunday are available by registration. Unlimited ride tickets are on sale until 5 p.m. on Friday. Find more details, but here’s the schedule in summary:

• Friday: Big Truck Night, 5 - 7 p.m. Carnival 5 - 9 p.m.
• Saturday: Carnival 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Festival 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
• Sunday: Carnival 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Festival 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Reston Home Tour Reveals Stunning Properties Oct. 19

Reston’s diverse and inspiring architecture will be on display this Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On this self-guided tour, you’ll visit seven unique homes, many with lake views, and including former CIA Chief of Disguise Joanna Mendez’s home. Proceeds benefit the Reston Museum and you may also purchase raffle tickets for a gift basket curated by the High Heeled Hostess Noelle Sharbough. Buy house tour tickets.

Chalkfest at Reston Town Center Oct. 20

Roam the streets of Reston Town Center as it’s transformed into a vibrant, open-air art gallery. Chalkfest returns this Saturday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, and amateurs, families and professional artists are all encouraged to show off their creativity with their chalk drawings. Compete for prizes. Chalkfest also offers live entertainment and face painting for kids. Learn more or register to reserve a space for your own chalk creation.

Senior Movie Day Screens Thelma Oct. 23

Inspired by the real-life experience of the director, “Thelma” turns a grandmother into an unlikely action hero who’s on a revenge mission against scammers. Rotten Tomatoes gives this comedy a 98% fresh score. While the real-life Thelma turns 104 this year, the movie offered veteran actor June Squibb her first leading role at 94. This free screening on Oct. 23 is open to older adults 55-plus at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas at Reston Town Center. Coffee, donuts and OJ are provided. Details.

American Red Cross Blood Drive Oct. 23

The Boro in Tysons is partnering with the American Red Cross to hold a blood drive on Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Go to Conference Room E/F, Boro Station, 1775 Greensboro Station Place, Tysons. Register to donate.