Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This week’s column is sponsored and written by Hannah Wolf of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Hannah at 724-561-4816.
Here in Fairfax County, we are blessed to have an incredible library system that is consistently ranked in the 10 top libraries in the United States.
And while you probably know that you can walk into your local branch and check out a book — I’m willing to bet that there are some features of the library that you hadn’t heard about before — I know that was true for me! This year is the 85th anniversary of the Fairfax County Library and with celebrations happening all year long, it’s the perfect time to open the doors to one of my favorite FREE activities to do, rain or shine, in Fairfax County — go to the library.
With over 3 million books in circulation at the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL), there is a book for everyone. Anyone who lives or works in Fairfax County can get a card and — get this — there are no longer fines for overdue books (just make sure you do return them in a timely manner)! But FCPL is so much more than just a place to borrow books!
One of my favorite things to do with my kids is visit one of the three Maker Lab locations (Herndon, Pohick, and Sherwood). Here you can solve riddles, play with coding programs, race friends with a Sphero Robot Ball, build a Lego design, or create a piece of art.
One of the most fun features of the Maker Labs is the 3D Printer , send your creation to the link on the library website and they will 3D print it for you! If you can dream it up, they can print it. Have old VHS tapes or slides you want to digitize? You can reserve a spot in the Memory Depot to convert them, and librarians will even train you on how to use it.
Andrew Carnegie once said that, “A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people.” That is certainly true at the Fairfax County Public Library, where community engagement and access is a top priority. All FCPL branches offer indoor Wi-Fi during operating hours, and some also provide outdoor Wi-Fi access from their parking lots from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., making them a great place to study, work and connect online.
You can also join a book club, attend a class, or even check out a Connect Kit with a Chromebook laptop and a Wi-Fi hotspot to take with you. Check out their calendar every month for a dynamic list of events.
The library’s extensive online resources are a treasure in themselves. You can read over 5,000 different magazine subscriptions through Magzter, and with access to the library’s subscription to Consumer Reports, research guides and online newspapers, you have access to valuable information right at your fingertips.
For those with a green thumb, the Seed Sharing Library allows you to grow your own garden while sharing seeds with others in the community. I finally know what to do with my leftover packet of sunflower seeds!
If you’re struggling with a computer or device issue, visit the Walk-In Tech Clinic, offering help with everything from setting up devices to troubleshooting technical issues. Additionally, for those looking to improve their English, the library provides conversation classes that offer a supportive environment for language learners to practice and enhance their skills, as well as homework help for students.
In the spirit of “why buy it when you can BORROW it”, the “Library of Things” offers an assortment of items patrons can use once and return. If you need to check out an interesting piece of art for a discussion — you might be able to find it at the library. If you’re interested in testing the air quality in your home, measuring the pH of your soil, or using a thermal camera — the Library of Things has you covered with meters and gauges. Want to grab a Nature Backpack that includes a state park pass? They have that too!
Fostering literacy is an obvious hallmark of the library, and they truly make it fun. My kids look forward to the Summer Reading Adventure every year and there are even exciting prizes and incentives for adults as well. From children’s story times to adult book clubs, story walks in nature, and short story contests for teens, the library makes reading dynamic and fun for all ages.
I hope I’ve inspired you to check out some of the things available to you with your library card! I’ll be seeing you at the library.
“I declare, after all, there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” — Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
