About

Mission

The mission of the Fairfax Community Library (the Library) is to serve the citizens of Fairfax, as well as the students, faculty, and staff of Bellows Free Academy-Fairfax (BFA-Fairfax) in finding knowledge, enrichment, and entertainment through reading and other means of intellectual growth.

The Library provides materials, reference services, and programs to accomplish these goals.

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Public Library
Sue Wade, Public Library Director
Elizabeth LaRosa, Public Library Assistant & Program Planner
Lara Bessette, Public Library Assistant
Noelle Letteri, Library Sub

School Library
Joy Mercer, School Librarian
Penny Aceto, School Library Assistant
Maegan Garrett, School Library Assistant

History

The Library opened as a combined school and public library in 1973, when the Fairfax Free Library was invited to move into a renovated section of the then-BFA Fairfax Elementary School. Joining with the High School library and the Historical Society library, it became known as the Fairfax Community Library.

In 2023, the Library celebrated our 50th anniversary! We look forward to many more years of supporting and connecting with our public, school, Homecard patrons, and wider library communities.

Strategic Plan

What does the Library hope to accomplish in the next few years? View our public library Strategic Plan.

Policies & Guidelines

The Library is structured and guided by these policies:

Patron Code of Conduct
The Library Bill of Rights (guidelines from the American Library Association (ALA))
General Library Policy
Vermont Statute on Library Confidentiality (see below)
Digital Use Policy
Donation Policy
Inclement Weather Policy and Procedures
Unattended Children Policy
Selection and Reconsideration Policy
Reserving Library Space

Vermont statute on library confidentiality

Confidentiality of borrowers' records is supported by the Joint Board and staff in compliance with state law (22 VSA section 172) and federal law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). A number code shall be assigned when a borrower registers, which shall be used to sign out books. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of library users shall be strictly confidential. Circulation records and other records identifying the names of library users and the Library materials they use are confidential in nature. Such records are not normally available to any agency or individual.

Those who make inquiries for such information, including police, FBI, CIA, or similar law enforcement agency or personnel should be informed that:

The inquiry for such information should be directed to the Town Attorney, who will rule on the legal necessity for disclosure, based upon the showing of good cause, and so inform the librarian.
The Library staff is not empowered to make such information available until such time as they have received direct authorization from the Town Attorney or a Court Order.
If there is a Court Order or a subpoena, legal advice should be sought from the Town Attorney or from the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom.
If the court order is in the form of a search warrant, it is executable immediately. Ask for legal counsel to be available to assure the search conforms to the terms of the search warrant.
If the court order is in the form of a search warrant issued under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (USA Patriot Act amendment): a. Request legal counsel to be available. b. Respect “gag order”, i.e. the Library staff cannot disclose that a warrant has been served or that records have been produced. c. The Library and its staff must comply with this order.

(State of Vermont)

Location

The Library is located inside Bellows Free Academy (BFA-Fairfax) in beautiful Fairfax, Vermont.