Falls Church City Library Named one of the Best in U.S.

For the fourth consecutive year the has been named one of the best public libraries in the United States by the Library Journal.

Mary McMahon, director for the City of Falls Church-based library, said she and her staff was excited to earn the honor. She said the journal judges libraries across the country by visits per capita,, circulation per capita, attendance per capita and public internet terminal usage per capita.

“It’s kind of a validation of the work we do,” McMahon said. “This award is based on facts. If we weren’t doing a good job, we would not have won the honor.”

The library is one of the top 262 public libraries in the country out of more than 7,500 to earn star ratings. Only three Virginia libraries received the honor this year. The public library national rating system rates libraries with expenditures of $10,000 or more that serve populations of at least 1,000. The Styles Library received four out of five stars, up one star from the last two years. McMahon said the library offers an array of programs for children and teens and even offers an annual survey to see what changes need to be made.