Patrick Henry Library is loved by many, but many people in the Town of Vienna believe it is in dire need of an upgrade. Fortunately, the time has finally come. The Patrick Henry Library will be undergoing significant renovations beginning early 2025, one of which is a name change to be the Vienna-Carter Library.

In Feb. 2024, The Fairfax Public Library Board of Trustees met and voted to rename the library the Vienna-Carter Library after the Carter family, who significantly contributed and advocated for the opening of a public library in Vienna. The Town of Vienna revealed its plans for the new library during an event for Liberty Amendments Month. Fairfax County hopes that the renovations, with more modernized and accessible facilities, will better serve the Town of Vienna and encourage lifelong learners.

“Through this renovation, we hope to improve our services by bringing the library into the 21st century,” Renee Edwards, the Administrative Services Division Director of Fairfax County Public Library, said. “It will become a place not only for books, but a place that will have inviting spaces for community members.”

With the new renovations, the library will update its collection of books and offer many new quiet areas that can be utilized for reading and working, improving the library’s resources and service drastically. Some additional new features include a four-level parking garage and a drive-thru book drop-off. The library will also have all-electric systems and equipment to reduce the use of energy and move away from fossil fuel powered systems. The exterior will offer a modern and sleek look, and on the inside, there will be many updated areas for everyone to enjoy.

“The new building will include many new modern areas, including reading books, group study rooms and even a gaming area,” Edwards said.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2025 and be completed in the fall of 2026. During the construction, a temporary library will be available for use but with limited resources compared to a normal library: there will be quick service, fewer books and no space for work. The location of the temporary library has not yet been shared with the public.