Branch Out

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Ashley Atkinson
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What “Makes” the Library So Great!

Blue-white gradient background with decorative navy cogs. FCPL Maker Lab logo with navy and yellow cog is a blue and white cube. Text reads Maker Labs @ FCPL

Want to try something new but don't want to spend a lot of money on something you may not even like? Seeking a space to connect with others who enjoy similar hobbies such as knitting, crocheting, arts, crafts and more? Look no further, Fairfax County Public Library's Maker Labs are perfect for you! 

Maker Labs are special spaces, currently located in three of FCPL’s branches, that invite visitors to discover, explore, create and learn about a variety of different topics. Most of the programming and activities held in the Maker Labs fall under the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Technology, or STEAM, umbrella, meaning Maker Labs are a great place for visitors of all ages to embrace their curiosity. Best of all? Everything is free! 

As of July 2025, FCPL’s three Maker Labs are at Herndon Fortnightly Library, Pohick Regional Library and Sherwood Regional Library. Each lab has its own unique flare and may be better suited to some activities more so than others, so here is a quick breakdown of what the locations offer. Please note that the availability of programs and resources is subject to change.  

Maker Lab @ Herndon Fortnightly Library 

Located on the first floor of the branch, this Maker Lab offers a wide array of crafting equipment available to teens and adults, as well as interactive science-learning tools for children ages 5-12, with adult supervision. Some of the specific tools include:  

  • Brother sewing and embroidery machines 

  • Cricut and Cameo cutting machines 

  • Snap Circuits 

  • Sphero Robots 

  • Keva Planks 

  • 3D printer 

  • Much more 

The Maker Lab @ Herndon Fortnightly Library also hosts a wide variety of programs including recurring crafting programs as well as occasional robotics demonstrations and 3D design workshops.  

Collage of blue and yellow cogs, some framing photos. From left to right: Large yellow cog framing a photo of two young boys of Asian descent playing with colorful circuit toys emitting red light; light blue medium cog framing photo of two middle age women of european descent smiling and holding green and yellow wreaths made of fabric. Small-medium purplish blue cog framing no photo, small yellow cog framing no photo, blue small-medium cog framing no photo. Blue medium-sized cog framing photo of a spherical toy robot in a plastic obstacle course tray with various obstacles.

Maker Lab @ Pohick Regional Library – a.k.a. The POD 

If you are a fan of any type of crafting, this Maker Lab is the place for you! Catering mainly to experienced and beginning crafters alike, visitors have access to a variety of machines and supplies, such as: 

  • 3D pen 

  • 3D printer 

  • Cricut cutting machine 

  • Crocheting supplies 

  • Ellison Press 

  • Jewelry making supplies 

  • Knitting supplies 

  • Paper crafting supplies 

  • Sewing machines 

  • Serger 

  • Spinning wheel 

The POD also hosts both recurring and special crafting programs with guided and directed guidance from experienced Makers. 

Collage of blue and yellow cogs, some framing photos. From left to right: small blue cog with no photo; medium yellow cog with no photo; medium-large sized cog in blue color framing a photo of a green and pink 3D printer printing a cyan blue lizard on a metal plate; a small-to-medium sized blue cog with no photo; a large light blue cog framing a photo of a young adult Black woman pressing a decorative stamp to a piece of blue scrap paper, sitting at a table with various sheets of scrap paper scattered of the table.

Maker Lab @ Sherwood Regional Library – a.k.a. The TechLab 

Located on the second floor of our Sherwood Regional branch, this Maker Lab is a combined classroom and workshop, perfect for anyone looking to learn with their hands. Much like the Maker Lab @ Herndon Fortnightly Library, this lab features several different interactive learning tools for visitors to explore including:  

  • iPads and Apple Pencils 

  • Microscopes 

  • 3D printers 

  • Snap Circuits 

  • Digital display 

  • Computers for one-on-one tutoring 

  • Sphero robots 

  • Cubelet robots 

The TechLab is also home to the Sherwood Regional branch’s Memory Depot, a do-it-yourself station that allows users to digitize materials such as photographs, audio cassettes, VHS tapes, documents and more.  

You can learn more about all three Maker Labs, including hours and rules, by visiting bit.ly/FCPL_MakerLabs. 

And That's Not All! 
Making isn’t just limited to the libraries with Maker Labs! Almost all FCPL branches regularly host programs similar to those held in our labs. From crafting to exploring science to just having fun, find programs near you by visiting bit.ly/FCPL_MakingEvents. 

Happy exploring! 

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