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Community Corner

Residents Celebrate Library's 20th Anniversary

Story-tellers, balloon artist and Curious George help entertain the kids.

Patrons and community members turned out on Saturday to help celebrate of the , built on the grounds of one of the area’s last dairy farms. 

Storytellers, a balloon artist and Curious George (a library staffer dressed in costume) were all on hand to help entertain the kids in a day dedicated to recognizing the vast resources the library offers to the community every day. In the afternoon, there were tables for locals to find out more about the area's history.

“We are holding this celebration to show members of the community all the different resources that are available to them,” said Christine Jones, the branch manager.

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Things have significantly changed since the library opened on May 18, 1992 on the grounds of the DeBell Farm, a dairy farm. The community has grown substantially since and the library’s offerings have expanded from books and printed material to Internet access and downloadable audio books.

The library's patrons include Martina Abdelmalak, 15, who was at the library with her four-year-old sister, Ledia. Martina said they come at least twice a week.

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“It’s really a great place and has lots of stuff for use to check out,” Martina said.

Shauna Quaale, of Centreville, helped her daughter, Lillian, 1, get a balloon animal from the balloon artist.

“It’s a great place, we just love the library,” Quaale said. “It’s a public resource that helps all the children and it’s great that it reaches all the different demographics in the community.”

The event was cosponsored by the Friends of the Centreville Regional Library (FCRL) and the Fairfax Library Foundation. The FCRL table was busy Saturday, as they gave out free book bags for anyone who signed up. Active since the library’s inception, the group maintains ongoing fund raising activities with proceeds benefiting the library.

The group has a blog and holds regular book sales to generate funds, said John Brugger, group president.

“It’s an all-volunteer organization and we try to help out the library where we can,” Brugger said, “either with programs or things like getting them new tables or chairs."

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