How do I get a library card at Mary Riley Styles Public Library?

Apply online at mrspl.org/get-card for instant digital access, or visit in person with proof of address. Cards are free for Falls Church residents and all COG metro area residents including Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, and DC.

Does Mary Riley Styles Public Library offer eBooks and audiobooks?

Yes. Use the free Libby app (by OverDrive) to borrow thousands of eBooks and audiobooks with your library card. Digital magazines are available through the Magzter platform.

What is the Memory Lab at Mary Riley Styles Public Library?

The Memory Lab is a self-service digitization station where patrons can scan and preserve old photographs, slides, and documents. No appointment is required.

Does Mary Riley Styles Public Library deliver books to homebound residents?

Yes. The Library to Your Door program provides free weekly delivery of up to 5 items for Falls Church residents who are homebound due to illness, disability, or other circumstances. Call (703) 248-5030 to enroll.

Mary Riley Styles Public Library - Hours, Address & Services | Falls Church, Virginia

City of Falls Church — Virginia

Mary Riley Styles Public Library

Falls Church’s "Little City" Library — Serving the Community Since 1899

Official Website
(703) 248-5030

📍 Address

120 N. Virginia Ave.
Falls Church, VA 22046

🕐 Hours

Mon–Wed: 10 AM – 8 PM
Thu–Sun: 10 AM – 5 PM

📞 Contact

(703) 248-5030
Text: (703) 520-2484

About Mary Riley Styles Public Library

The Mary Riley Styles Public Library has served the “Little City” of Falls Church, Virginia, for over 125 years — making it one of the oldest continuously operating public libraries in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1899 by the Falls Church Village Improvement Society, the library grew under the dedicated stewardship of Mary Riley Styles (1869–1946), who chaired the Library Committee of the Falls Church Woman’s Club for over 25 years beginning in 1919. When Mrs. Styles passed away in 1946, her children donated the family’s Riley farmland at 120 N. Virginia Avenue for a permanent library building, which opened on July 4, 1958. The library was formally renamed in her honor in 1977.

Today the library occupies a modern 25,727 sq. ft. LEED Silver-certified facility, following a landmark $10.3 million renovation and 6,600 sq. ft. expansion completed in September 2021 — the third major renovation in the library’s history, funded by a 2016 voter-approved bond. The redesigned building by BKV Group features a new corner entrance at Park and Virginia Avenues, dedicated youth and teen spaces on the lower level, an expanded Falls Church History Room, a Memory Lab for self-service digitization, full accessibility upgrades, and bright, welcoming spaces for all ages. The library proudly serves approximately 15,000 residents of the independent City of Falls Church.

✨ Fine-Free Library since July 1, 2020! No overdue fines on any materials. Items 30 days overdue are automatically billed — but the fee is removed when the item is returned in good condition. Renew up to twice online, by text at (703) 520-2484, or by phone at (703) 248-5031.

🕑 Library Hours

Monday	10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday	10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday	10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday	10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday	10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday	10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday	10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Hours may vary on holidays. Check mrspl.org for updates.

📚 Services Offered

📚 Books, DVDs, audiobooks, CDs & magazines
📱 eBooks & audiobooks via Libby / OverDrive
🖥 11 public computers + free CityWiFi
📷 Memory Lab (self-service photo & document digitization)
📋 Meeting & study room reservations
🖶 Printing, copying & scanning (first 10 pages free)
📱 Mobile & self-checkout (meeScan app)
🏠 Library to Your Door homebound delivery
🚚 Curbside pickup available
👥 1-on-1 tech help appointments
🆕 Interlibrary loan (ILL)
🏛 Exam proctoring (Falls Church residents)

🎥 Programs & Events

👺 Children & Family Programs

📚

Preschool Storytime
Ages 2–4 — Mon & Thu at 10:30 AM
🎵

Baby Play Time
Ages 0–24 months — Fridays at 10:30 AM
🔬

STEAM Early Release Wednesdays
Grades K–5 — Wednesdays at 3:45 PM
🎪

Saturday Performances
Ages 4+ — puppet, magic & theater shows, Saturdays 11 AM
🌞

Summer Reading Program
All ages — June through August, prizes & special events

👤 Adult Programs

🌐

English Conversation Class
Free, no registration required — ongoing throughout the year
🗣

Spanish Conversation Group
Practice Spanish & build community — ongoing
📙

Book Club to Go Kits
Group reading sets available year-round for clubs & organizations
🎤

Author Talks & Concerts
Music performances, lectures & community conversations — ongoing
📈

FC250 Community Reading Group
“We the Readers” — celebrating 250 years of American democracy

🖥 Digital Resources — Access from Home 24/7

With a free Mary Riley Styles library card you can access a wide suite of digital resources from any device, anywhere. Log in at mrspl.org/resources with your library card number and PIN.

📺 eBooks, Audiobooks & Magazines

📱

Libby / OverDrive
Thousands of eBooks, digital audiobooks, and eMagazines. Download the free Libby app (iOS/Android) and sign in with your library card number.
📰

Magzter Digital Magazines
Thousands of magazines in 40+ languages — The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Women’s Health, US Weekly, and more.
📗

Booklist Reader
Free monthly digital magazine from the American Library Association with reviews and reading recommendations.

🔎 Databases & Research Tools

🏠

Ancestry for Virginia
Virginia-related genealogical records, free with your library card.
📊

Consumer Reports & Consumer Checkbook
Independent product ratings, buying guides, and local service provider reviews.
🔎

Explora (EBSCO)
Articles, essays, and primary sources spanning arts, literature, science & math, including 60,000+ Associated Press videos.
🎓

Brainfuse Suite
Live K–12 tutoring (HelpNow), job coaching & résumé help (JobNow), and veterans’ benefits resources (VetNow) — free, 24/7.

📄 Getting a Library Card

Who Is Eligible?

A free library card is available to anyone who lives, works, owns property, or operates a business in Falls Church or within the metro area Council of Governments (COG) jurisdictions:

City of Falls Church residents
Arlington County residents
City of Alexandria residents
Fairfax County residents
District of Columbia residents
Loudoun, Prince William & Fauquier County residents
Montgomery & Prince George’s County, MD residents
Frederick County, MD residents

An Opportunity Card (free) provides digital access & 3 physical items for DC metro individuals without a permanent address.

How to Apply

Online: Apply for a temporary e-card at mrspl.org/get-card and get instant access to all digital resources. Visit the library within 30 days with proof of address to receive your physical card.

In Person: Bring one document showing your name and current address:

Valid driver’s license or state ID
Utility bill (within past 3 months)
Rental or mortgage statement (within 3 months)
Postmarked letter (within 3 months)

Cards are valid for 3 years and renewable for free. Children under 14 require parental signature. Falls Church card holders can borrow from all COG jurisdictions through reciprocal borrowing!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Mary Riley Styles Public Library hours?

The library is open Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Thursday through Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Hours may vary on holidays — check mrspl.org for the most current schedule.

Is Mary Riley Styles Public Library fine-free?

Yes! The library went fine-free on July 1, 2020. There are no overdue fines on any materials. However, items that are 30 days overdue are automatically billed — but the fee is removed when the item is returned in good condition. Charges do apply to lost or damaged materials.

How do I get a library card?

You can apply online at mrspl.org/get-card for instant digital access. Bring proof of address to the library within 30 days to receive your physical card. Cards are free for Falls Church residents and all COG metro area residents including Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, DC, Loudoun, Prince William, and more.

Can I access eBooks and audiobooks with my library card?

Yes! Use the free Libby app (by OverDrive) to borrow thousands of eBooks and audiobooks with your library card. Open the Libby app, search for “Mary Riley Styles Public Library,” and sign in with your card number and PIN. You can also borrow digital magazines through the Magzter platform.

What is the Memory Lab?

The Memory Lab is a self-service digitization station where you can scan and preserve your old photographs, slides, and documents. It’s available during library hours — no appointment required. The library also maintains a Falls Church History Room with local archival materials and photographs.

Does the library offer homebound delivery?

Yes. The Library to Your Door program provides free weekly delivery of up to 5 items for Falls Church residents who are temporarily or permanently homebound due to illness, disability, or other circumstances. Contact the library at (703) 248-5030 to enroll.