John Marshall Library
It did not take long for residents of the new subdivision to realize that a more convenient library was needed to serve Rose Hill and its neighbors. The closest library was on Queen Street in Alexandria. A great library, to be sure, but a long way to travel to check out a book or do some research.
Fairfax County opened a storefront library in the Rose Hill Shopping Center on April 21, 1963. The library consisted of 2,400 square feet and had room for 20,000 books. However, there were only 6,000 books available on opening day and for a while, patrons were limited to checking out two books per adult and one per child.
At the same time, there was a controversy about the installation of two high power lines to run through the community with a wide buffer underneath. The lines bracketed the new school site and community and county officials saw an opportunity. Although they couldn’t stop the power lines because of Federal law, they could obtain the right to construct a new library and parking lot under the power line.
Fairfax County opened a storefront library in the Rose Hill Shopping Center on April 21, 1963. The library consisted of 2,400 square feet and had room for 20,000 books. However, there were only 6,000 books available on opening day and for a while, patrons were limited to checking out two books per adult and one per child.
At the same time, there was a controversy about the installation of two high power lines to run through the community with a wide buffer underneath. The lines bracketed the new school site and community and county officials saw an opportunity. Although they couldn’t stop the power lines because of Federal law, they could obtain the right to construct a new library and parking lot under the power line.
A deal was made, and funds were quickly appropriated for construction. The new library opened on February 18, 1975. By 2001, the number of patrons jumped to 163,000 and the number of books checked out was 327,391.
The new library building was upgraded twice. In 1987 the heating and air conditioning system was improved, and changes made to comply with accessibility requirements.
In early 2017, the library closed to accommodate a $6.3 million renovation and expansion. When it reopened on October 27, 2018, the building had an additional 1,400 square feet of space along with the reorganization of existing space for better efficiency and accommodation for public meeting rooms and new technology.
The new library building was upgraded twice. In 1987 the heating and air conditioning system was improved, and changes made to comply with accessibility requirements.
In early 2017, the library closed to accommodate a $6.3 million renovation and expansion. When it reopened on October 27, 2018, the building had an additional 1,400 square feet of space along with the reorganization of existing space for better efficiency and accommodation for public meeting rooms and new technology.
Supervisor Joseph Alexander, at left, and RHCA President Hal Murray, second from right, at the site for the new library building in 1974.
The library today consists of 14,700 square feet and includes 44,000 items. Visitors have access to 12 computers, Wi-Fi with charging stations and additional electrical sockets and USB ports.
Responding to an RHCA request and endorsed by then Supervisor Jeff McKay, the new building includes a roll-down security gate that separates the library from the meeting room area, allowing after-hours community use by permit.
In addition, the library and its staff offer numerous programs and is the host for various community meetings and forums. The Rose Hill Civic Association meets in the community rooms on the fourth Tuesday of each month except July, August and December or when there is an outside special event.
The community rooms are named for Gladys B. Keating, a long-time Franconia resident who served in the Virginia General Assembly from 1977 to 1999 and was a member of the Fairfax County Library Board representing then Lee District from 1972 until 1978.
The library is named for John Marshall, a Virginian who was inspired by President George Washington to serve the new nation. Born the first of 15 children of Thomas Marshall and Mary Randolph Keith in rural Fauquier County in 1755, Marshall was home schooled except for one year at Campbell Academy in Westmoreland County where future President James Monroe was a classmate. When the Revolutionary War broke out, Marshall joined the Continental Army and was wounded leading a charge at the Battle of Brandywine.
In 1780, Marshall studied law by attending Judge George Wythe’s lectures at the College of Williams & Mary. It was the only formal education in law that Marshall received. He was admitted to the Virginia Bar that same year and later served in the Virginia General Assembly and the House of Delegates. After first turning down several appointments to the United States Supreme Court, Marshall served briefly in the United Sates House of Representatives and was named Secretary of State under President John Adams in 1800. He was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by Adams in 1801.
During his 34 years as Chief Justice. The Court delivered more than 1,000 decisions, several of which established the court as the ultimate authority in interpreting the Constitution. He died in 1835 and is buried in Richmond with his wife, Mary Willis Ambler. Married in 1783, they had seven children.
Written by Carl Sell
The library today consists of 14,700 square feet and includes 44,000 items. Visitors have access to 12 computers, Wi-Fi with charging stations and additional electrical sockets and USB ports.
Responding to an RHCA request and endorsed by then Supervisor Jeff McKay, the new building includes a roll-down security gate that separates the library from the meeting room area, allowing after-hours community use by permit.
In addition, the library and its staff offer numerous programs and is the host for various community meetings and forums. The Rose Hill Civic Association meets in the community rooms on the fourth Tuesday of each month except July, August and December or when there is an outside special event.
The community rooms are named for Gladys B. Keating, a long-time Franconia resident who served in the Virginia General Assembly from 1977 to 1999 and was a member of the Fairfax County Library Board representing then Lee District from 1972 until 1978.
The library is named for John Marshall, a Virginian who was inspired by President George Washington to serve the new nation. Born the first of 15 children of Thomas Marshall and Mary Randolph Keith in rural Fauquier County in 1755, Marshall was home schooled except for one year at Campbell Academy in Westmoreland County where future President James Monroe was a classmate. When the Revolutionary War broke out, Marshall joined the Continental Army and was wounded leading a charge at the Battle of Brandywine.
In 1780, Marshall studied law by attending Judge George Wythe’s lectures at the College of Williams & Mary. It was the only formal education in law that Marshall received. He was admitted to the Virginia Bar that same year and later served in the Virginia General Assembly and the House of Delegates. After first turning down several appointments to the United States Supreme Court, Marshall served briefly in the United Sates House of Representatives and was named Secretary of State under President John Adams in 1800. He was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by Adams in 1801.
During his 34 years as Chief Justice. The Court delivered more than 1,000 decisions, several of which established the court as the ultimate authority in interpreting the Constitution. He died in 1835 and is buried in Richmond with his wife, Mary Willis Ambler. Married in 1783, they had seven children.
Written by Carl Sell