Energy efficiency and consumer awareness are hot topics in Fairfax County. According to a 2017 Consumer Federation Report, halogens still have more than half of the market, but LED bulbs are more efficient, last longer and cost less money! The library identified an opportunity to educate the public, bring new users into public libraries and provide free LED light bulbs across the county.

Distributing free LED light bulbs required marketing, careful planning and a review of the areas of the county with the highest need partnered with available programmatic space. After-action discussions showed that each event was more popular than the next, with some citizens waiting more than an hour for their LED bulbs. Additional staff assistance and materials were provided at subsequent events.

The anticipated outcome of this project is a more informed consumer in Fairfax County, decreased electrical bills for those users, a stronger inter-agency partnership for the library and new users visiting public libraries that otherwise might not have visited.