Second-graders at every Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) elementary school, including McLean-area schools, will take a class field trip to their neighborhood public library this school year.

The trips pair with the Library Equity Access Pass, known as LEAP, which lets any FCPS student check out up to three physical books just by sharing their name. Students can keep the books for six weeks and return them to their school or a public library branch.

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed the second-grade field trips, according to FCPS. The initiative ties to a goal in the district's Strategic Plan: getting students reading on grade level by the end of third grade.

FCPS and the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) system are running the effort together.

Removing barriers to books

LEAP started seven years ago as a pilot to help students who lacked a traditional library card or whose card was blocked because of fees. Overdue fines were eliminated in 2022, but fees for lost books and some other items remain.

Natalie Lorenzi, senior manager of library information for FCPS, said some families face real obstacles. "Sometimes parents are working so hard to put food on the table and keep a roof over their head," Lorenzi said. "If they have a charge from the library, they may say, 'Well, we're not going to the library anymore.'"

Lorenzi added that some families don't feel safe sharing their address or the documentation a traditional library card requires. LEAP accounts bypass that step.

Students can hold both a LEAP account and a regular library card. A standard card allows users to check out up to 50 books at a time, plus renewals, holds, digital resources and access to the Library of Things.

What the trips look like

On a recent trip to Herndon Fortnightly Library, a second-grader from Clearview Elementary School named Logan summed up the experience. "It's so cool in here. And there are new books everywhere, and this is the biggest place I've ever been," he said.

Amy Talbot, educational specialist for libraries at FCPS, said the field trips reach beyond the students themselves. "They're going to go home, as 7- and 8-year-olds, and tell their parents, siblings, or caretakers about the opportunities at the public library," Talbot said.

Second-grade teacher Hannah Tomhave said her students already trade books at their school library every couple of days. But for some, she wasn't sure they knew public libraries existed as "another place where they could get books."

Renee Edwards, FCPL administrative director, said she hopes information about libraries reaches the "significant part" of the community that doesn't use them.

What comes next

FCPL's November 2026 newsletter will feature tips on choosing books for children, book lists and a spotlight on My Perfect Read, a service connecting families with a librarian for personalized suggestions.