Curbside Pickup

No Curbside Pickup Service on Tuesday, August 4

Due to expected high winds and heavy rain associated with Hurricane/Tropical Storm Isaias, the library will not offer curbside hold pickups or returns on Tuesday, August 4. 

Expanded Curbside Pickup logo

The library continues to be closed to the public until further notice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Books, DVDs, and other items from our physical collection may now be borrowed using our new curbside pickup service (similar to what you’ve probably experience at many grocery stores and restaurants).

Expanded Curbside Pickup Hours; Now Includes Saturdays & More Reserves

We have expanded our curbside pickup hours! Starting July 6, once you are notified by email that your reserves are ready, you can come anytime Monday through Friday 10 am - 6 pm or Saturday 10 am - 2 pm to pick up your items.

We've also increased our reserve limit to 20 (from 10) so more books can be reserved online for curbside pickup. 

Need to Return Books?

Our book drop is still closed. But you can return books and other items via Curbside Service even if you aren't picking up anything new to borrow. Just place the materials you want to return in a disposable bag, put them in the trunk of your car, and follow the directions below for curbside service.

How Curbside Pickup Works

  • Reserve items through our online catalog at catalog.fallschurchva.gov. If you cannot get online, reserves can also be placed by calling the library at 703-248-5031 (TTY 711).
  • When your items are ready - usually with 48 hours - you will receive an automated email indicating your items are available for curbside pickup. If you do not have an email address listed in your account, library staff will call you to let you know. 
  • Once notified, you can pickup your reserves at 601. S. Oak Street anytime Monday-Friday between 10 am and 6 pm or Saturday between 10 am and 2 pm. 
  • When you arrive at the library, please open the trunk to your vehicle, and call 703-248-5031 (TTY 711) or text 703-520-2484 to let library staff know you are there. Note: If you have to get out of your car to open the trunk, please get back into the vehicle before you alert the library of your arrival.
  • Staff will check out your items, bring them out to your car, and place them in your trunk.

How Curbside Return Works

  • Our outside book drop is still closed, but we can take returns via curbside service Monday-Friday between 10 am and 6 pm and Saturday between 10am and 2pm at our temporary location: 601. S. Oak Street .
  • Place the Materials you would like to return in a disposable bag and put them in the trunk of your vehicle.
  • When you arrive at the library, please open the trunk to your vehicle, and call 703-248-5031 (TTY 711) or text 703-520-2484 to let library staff know you are there. Note: If you have to get out of your car to open the trunk, please get back into the vehicle before you alert the library of your arrival.
  • Staff will come out and remove the materials from the trunk of your car.
  • Reminder: Materials go into a minimum 48 hour quarantine before staff check them into the system. This means materials will remain on your account for a few days after you return them. We will check them in as soon as we are able to safely do so. 

Safety for Both Patrons & Library Staff

  • Items that you borrow will have been quarantined in the library for at least 2 days prior to your pick up.
  • Staff who bring your items out to you will practice social distancing (maintaining a separation of 6 ft) and will wear a mask. They will wash their hands or use hand sanitizer between drop-offs.   
  • When you arrive to pick up your materials, please open your trunk and then stay in your car until library staff finishes delivering your items.
  • Pickup appointment times will be staggered in order to limit the number of people coming to the library to pick up items at one time.

Quick Pick Picture Books

Don’t want to scour the online catalog for picture books? Call the library at 703-248-5031 (TTY 711) and request a random assortment of picture books. Staff will pull up to 20 picture books for our curbside pick up. Unfortunately, we are unable to take requests for ‘types’ of pictures books, so if you prefer specific books we recommend you search for them in our online catalog and place them on reserve or request suggestions via our Personalized NextRead suggestions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the curbside pickup hours? 

Curbside pickup (and returns) is available Monday through Friday between 10 am and 6 pm and Saturday between 10 am - 2 pm. 

How long will it take for my items to be ready for pickup after I request them? 

Due to COVID-19 related staffing limitations in our temporary location, please allow up to 48 hours processing time for newly placed reserves. Any reserves placed Saturday afternoon will not be processed until Monday the following week. Once your reserves have been processed, you will be notified by email (or telephone) that your items are ready for pickup. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

How many items can I request for pick up?

You can place reserves (and borrow) up to 20 items at one time per account using curbside pickup. And up to 20 additional picture books if you are using our Quick Pick Picture Books service. 

Can I return items I already have checked out?  

Yes. Please let library staff know that you have returns when you arrive for your pickup. Place them in a bag and leave them in your car’s trunk. Library staff will take the returned items after leaving your new checkouts. Items returned through curbside pickup will be quarantined a minimum of 48 hours before they are checked-in (and removed from your account).  

Just returning items? No problem! You don’t need to be borrowing new items to use our curbside service to return books. 

Will my items already be checked out when I pick them up? And when will they be due? 

Items that you pick up through curbside serve will already be checked out to your account when staff bring them out to you. A checkout receipt listing due dates will be included with your items. (All dues dates will be extended while the library building is closed to the public due to COVID-19.) 

Does the library accept donations?

At this time the library is not accepting donations of books, DVDs, or other materials. Read more..

Additional Information