From the books you can read to the programs you can attend, there are countless ways you can benefit from your local library! Each week throughout the year, we will be highlighting these in a series we are calling "Free with Your Library Friday!"

Check us out on social media on Fridays to see what we feature each week and visit this page to see a running list of previously highlighted services, resources and more.

• Take your family's game night to the next level by borrowing a board game or picking up a new puzzle at one of our puzzle swaps and book sales. 
• Expand your knowledge and learn one of over 100 languages - including pirate - with Mango Languages and Transparent Language Online.
• Share plant clippings, seed and gardening tips with fellow gardeners at a community plant swap/seed swap or by visiting one of our seed libraries at Burke Centre Library, George Mason Regional Library, John Marshal Library, Martha Washington Library and Pohick Regional Library.
• Join us for an engaging storytime filled with stories, songs, games, fingerplays and more!
• Enjoy musical programs with world-renowned and award-winning singers, instrumentalists and performers.
• Meet and talk with your favorite best-selling authors in person (and virtually.)
• Trace your family tree and learn about genealogy with the help of online databases and the Virginia Room.
• Participate in virtual expert-led exercise or meditation classes from your own living room.
• Get your child ready to read with early literacy resources and the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. 
• Learn about robots, technology and more in our Maker Labs at Herndon Fortnightly, Pohick Regional and Sherwood Regional libraries. 
• Explore the great outdoors with a pair of binoculars and a nature backpack available through our Library of Things.
• Find reliable, age-appropriate resources for students including help with homework, access to research databases and, even, virtual live tutoring.
• Make your home more energy efficient with a Conserve kit available through our Library of Things.
• Get help from the ultimate search engine – a librarian! From book recommendations to general questions, we are here to help!
• Learn tips and tricks for gardening from a Master Gardener and other related programs.
• Make your voice heard and earn volunteer hours by joining a Teen Advisory Board. Learn more about volunteering at FCPL and discover opportunities include those for adults here. 
• Enjoy a showing of a movie on a big screen with friends and family with a movie night at the library.
• Discover new skills in auto repair, home repair, business, technology and more through a learning database and LinkedIn Learning.
• Access free digital versions of your favorite publications with Magzter.
• Discover tips for cooking, baking and healthy eating from professional chefs and nutritionists.
• Digitize your old photos, home videos and more at one of our six Memory Depots.
• Challenge yourself to complete a reading adventure, like our Summer Reading Adventure, and earn awesome prizes.
• Introduce your children to STEM and STEAM education with events and activities as well as at our three MakerLabs. 
• Borrow a thermal camera to check your home or business for hot and cold spots. 
• Spruce up your home for a dinner party or showing with pieces of framed artwork by renowned artists.
• Attend an interesting lecture led by subject experts on a variety of topics including history and culture, home and garden, health and wellness, and more.
• Connect with other families with young children at a storytime or playgroup. 
• Learn new crafting hobbies like knitting, drawing, jewelry making and more.
• Access Wi-Fi inside (or outside) FCPL branches between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
• Discover books for all ages in a variety of languages including Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, Urdu, Tamil, Nepali and more. 
• Consult our selection of consumer guides to decide what insurance, tablet, computer, car or washing machine to buy 
• Find reliable, age-appropriate resources for students to help with homework and writing papers. 
• Bring your imagination to life with 3D printing and related events.
• Access thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines whenever and wherever with Libby! 
• Get personalized book recommendations with My Perfect Read. 
• Get career building skills and helping with creating a resume/job searching with events and databases.
• Have broken or damaged items repaired at a Fix-It Clinic event.
• Borrow a curated collection of movies to help you host the perfect movie night. 
• Check out books in large print for easier reading. Learn about our other resources for visually impaired readers provided by our Access Services branch.
• Geek out at LibraryCon, FCPL's celebration of all things pop culture!
• Learn the basics and beyond of starting a book club at the Book Club Conference. Then kickstart your first meeting with one of our book discussion kits.
• Get into the spooky spirit for Halloween with Universal Class, with courses featuring a Paranormal Studies series, Sewing 101, Face Painting 101 and more.
• Bring storytime home with a huge selection of fantastic picture books.
• Check out interactive learning tablets filled with educational content for kids.
• Support and connect with NOVA-based writers at the Local Author Book Festival.
• Reserve a meeting space for your group including after hours use of meeting rooms at certain branches. Terms and conditions apply.
• Capture family tales of past and present with a Family History Kit, complete with interview prompts and instructions in English, Spanish and Korean.
• Get one-on-one help with your new devices by visiting a FREE technology help clinic at your local library.
• Connect with others like you around shared interests such as culture, hobbies and more.
• Search the millions of items in the online catalog and place a hold for pick up at a nearby branch.
• Learn how to help your child develop early literacy skills and love reading.
• Join a book discussion group to meet new people and get reading recommendations.
• Prepare for the SAT, ACT, AP tests and more with LearningExpress Library.
• Give back to the community and earn hours by volunteering to help in our branches.
• Attend an English Conversation Group to improve your English language skills. We even have conversation groups for other languages!