Loudoun County Public Library

Loudoun County Public Library [http://www.lcpl.lib.va.us (LCPL)] , with nearly 200 employees, both professional and paraprofessional, serves the citizens of [http://www.loudoun.gov Loudoun County, Virginia] , population over 260,000. There are seven branches with an [http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1640 eighth] in the planning stage. The [http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1365 Outreach department] offers services to the disabled, elderly, and homebound.

LCPL's mission statement calls the library "the community's information center," which "provides free and equal access to a full variety of library resources and innovative technologies to enhance the quality of life and meet the informational, educational and cultural interests of the entire community."

In 2006 the system came in tenth place for libraries serving a comparably sized population, according to [http://www.haplr-index.com Hennen's American Public Library Ratings] (HAPLR).

Branches

The seven [http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1296 branches] range in size from large regional libraries to small neighborhood branches. The library system also has a partnership with [http://www.leesburgva.gov/services/library Thomas Balch Library] , a local history and genealogy library located in [http://www.leesburgva.org Leesburg, Virginia] .

Each branch has an [http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1591 advisory board] that helps support the library and raise funds. Another source of funding is the huge annual book sale put on by the [http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1597 Loudoun Library Foundation] .

Special collection

In 1999, philanthropist Irwin Uran donated $1 million to the library for the purpose of acquiring items focusing on the Holocaust. LCPL also used the [http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1598 Irwin Uran Fund] for items that can help enrich lives, such as videos on learning American Language or Muzzy programs for assisting children with learning foreign languages. Search the [http://catalog.lcpl.lib.va.us/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&profile=adm#focus library catalog] for these and other items.

Services

Each library branch offers public Internet and wireless access. From home or office as well as inside each branch, users can access licensed databases plus read electronic books or listen to audiobooks.

Each branch offers storytimes for young children as well as a variety of programs for older kids and teens. The library conducts summer reading programs every year. Between the last day of school in June and the middle of August, hundreds of kids sign up to read and win prizes.

There are also numerous events for adults, from their own summer reading program to various musical performances to educational seminars.

Often, the library system will partner with another county organization to offer programs. Organizations such as the [http://www.loudounteens.org Loudoun Youth Initiative] and the [http://www.loudounsbdc.org Small Business Development Center] have sponsored programs with the library.

Trustees & directors

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors appoints [http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1592 Trustees] to serve as policymakers and budget managers.

The library system is run by a [http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1595 director and four assistants] .

See also

* Leesburg, Virginia
* Loudoun County, Virginia

External links

* [http://www.haplr-index.com Hennen's American Public Library Ratings (HAPLR)]
* [http://www.leesburgva.org Leesburg, Virginia]
* [http://www.loudoun.gov Loudoun County Government]
* [http://www.lcpl.lib.va.us Loudoun County Public Library]
* [http://www.visitloudoun.org Loudoun County, Virginia]
* [http://www.loudounsbdc.org Loudoun Small Business Development Center]
* [http://www.loudounteens.org Loudoun Youth Initiative]
* [http://www.leesburgva.gov/services/library Thomas Balch Library]