Written by Sara Prohaska, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL)

If you think about it, libraries are one of the original foundations of a sustainable, sharing economy. A single book can be enjoyed by hundreds of people in its useable lifetime instead of gathering dust on a shelf after one or two reads or, even worse, ending up in a landfill. Now in its 87th year of service to residents, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) has lent millions of items to millions of people over the years. Pretty impressive!

Check Out the Library of Things

Your library offers more than just books and digital resources. The Library of Things is FCPL’s collection of non-traditional library items. It allows library customers the opportunity to check out a variety of items that they perhaps financially wouldn’t be able to purchase on their own, don’t have room for in their home or want to decide if it’s something they want to buy one day.

Currently, library users can check out these items from the Library of Things:

• Artwork of various sizes and styles to bring home to try on your own walls, perhaps to rotate your décor for a season or a new color palette. 
• Binoculars for birdwatching, seeing closer at sporting events or even viewing the moon.
• Board games of all types and for all ages, from classics like chess to new favorites like Catan and Codenames.  
• Connect Kits which consist of a Chromebook and a Wi-Fi hotspot device for computing on-the-go. 
• Conserve Energy Kits contain items that help borrowers better seal the "envelope" of their home and understand more about how various appliances and devices use energy. 
• Early literacy LaunchPads are tablets pre-loaded with stories and games at different reading and learning levels for young readers. 
• Family History Kits include a set of cards with interview prompts, a digital voice recorder, and instructions on how to get started gathering your family history in English, Spanish and Korean.
• Light Pollution Monitoring Kits are a collection of citizen science tools, offered in collaboration with the Fairfax County Park Authority, for borrowers to learn about light pollution and stargazing. 
• There are a variety of Meters, ranging from laser thermometers and battery testers to air quality monitors and onboard diagnostic code readers.  
• The ‘I Love Virginia State Parks’ Nature Backpacks include naturalist tools and educational materials, and a free pass to any of the Virginia State Parks. 
• Sensory Kits have a variety of items designed to allow borrowers of all ages to explore different sight, sound and touch sensations.
• Thermal Cameras that connect to your Android or Apple smart device to help see where you might have leaky outlets, drafty doors, missing insulation, and more.

Participate in Programs & Events

Fairfax County Public Library is a community hub of innovation and education, a place to pursue your interests and discover the world around you. FCPL offers free programs and events throughout the year for all ages on just about anything you can think of:

• Participate in a gardening workshop or seed and plant swap, then ask a Master Gardner for help with a problem plant. 
• Come to one of our many other swap events throughout the year – exchange puzzles, board games, costumes, art and craft supplies, and more.
• Help keep items out of the landfill by volunteering to fix at, or bringing a broken item that needs repair to, a Fix It Clinic. FCPL is currently recruiting volunteers for the next countywide ‘fix it’ event on May 10, 2025.
• Support your library and pick up a new-to-you book at a Friends’ used book sale.

There’s so much MORE!

Visit the Library's website to explore all your Fairfax County Public Library has to offer! On the homepage you can:

• Create and access your library account to search for or place a hold on a book or item in the Library of Things,
• Find free events and programs on our calendar, and
• Learn more about FCPL’s other free resources in the “Curated Content” section. 

Follow us on social media - Facebook, Instagram and YouTube - to get news, updates and information anytime.

You’re always welcome to stop by your local branch and chat with a friendly librarian too! 

Sara Prohaska is the Marketing and Communications Director for Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL). In her role, she has the privilege of sharing with Fairfax County residents the extensive variety of free books, programs and resources available at FCPL’s 23 local library branches.