HERNDON, VA – Community members and local leaders celebrated the grand opening of Herndon Fortnightly Library’s new Maker Lab Saturday, March 18. With its debut, the Maker Lab @ Herndon becomes the third such space across the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) system. These spaces are designed to allow library visitors free and equal access to space, expertise and resources for learning and creating a variety of projects.
“This Maker Lab is going to bring joy to many people,” said Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust, whose district includes Herndon Fortnightly Library. “Converting an unused space into a tech lab is a great example of how creative our library system is.”
The new space includes a variety of tools and equipment library visitors can use to explore different STEAM concepts. With a 3D printer, sewing machines, robots, craft materials and more, Maker Labs are designed to appeal to people of all ages wishing to learn more about science, technology, engineering, art and math. These efforts are in line with the county’s vision of the future, Foust said.
“As chairman of the Fairfax County Economic Advisory Council, I can tell you it’s going to help contribute to the goal we have of creating an ecosystem that attracts the innovative workforce in the 21st century,” he said. “Creating things like Maker Labs lets people know we care about technology and innovation in Fairfax County.”
After listening to speakers, guests explored the space. After the ribbon cutting, children and adults alike previewed what they will have to look forward to during future Maker Lab trips. “I’m thrilled we have such a fantastic social gathering place to bring our community together,” said community member Michelle Kimmel. “Especially with such a tech-focused community, this is a great way to find a creative outlet for all of our passions.”
The Maker Lab @ Herndon is open to the public at Herndon Fortnightly Library from 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. More information about the lab can be found at bit.ly/FCPL_MakerLabs.