Did you know that Fairfax County Public Library lets you borrow more than just books, audiobooks and DVDs? From framed artwork to decorate your home to nature backpacks with everything you need to explore the great outdoors, discover what other non-traditional items you can check out from your local library through FCPL's Library of Things.  

Artwork 
Available only at George Mason Regional and Sherwood Regional Libraries, FCPL's framed artwork collection features prints by a variety of fine and commercial artists with western artists of the 19th century being especially well-represented. In recent years, we have broadened the scope of the collection, adding dozens of works of art by non-western artists, people of color and women in areas including the Renaissance, baroque and modern periods, to name a few. 

Binoculars 
Get a close-up view of sights far and wide with a pair of Nikon Prostaff 3S binoculars. With an 8x magnification, 42 mm effective diameter of the lens and a field of view of 7.2 degrees, these binoculars are perfect for those who need a closer look, whether it is at a sporting event, in our beautiful national, state and local parks or a gathering of local bird watchers. 

Board Games 
Make your next family fun night even better with a tabletop board game perfect for some good hearted, no-fuss entertainment. Games are available for players of all ages, and our current collection includes 7 Wonders, Catan, Chess, Codenames, Telestrations, Zingo and more. New games are added frequently. 

Connect Kits 
Get online whenever you want with a Chromebook laptop and Wi-Fi hotspot. Access the internet and utilize productivity software including Google Docs, Sheets and Slides from the comfort of wherever you happen to be. Connect Kits can only be borrowed for two week and must be checked out by an FCPL cardholder who is 18 or older. 

Conserve Kits 
Make your home more energy efficient with this collection of tools and consumable items that can help you better seal the "envelope" of your house and understand more about how various appliances and devices use energy. Materials in the kit include: a kilowatt usage meter, laser thermometer, mechanical timer, moisture meter, thermometer/hygrometer, caulking gun and finish tools, light switch insulation gaskets, weather stripping and window insulation shrink kit. 

Family History Kits 
Discover and document your family's story with this kit complete with interview prompts, a digital voice recorder and instructions on how to get started gathering personal and family history. Instructions and prompts are available in English, Spanish and Korean. 

Hands-On History Kits 
Take an educational trip back to the American Revolution or Civil War with these kits that include photographs, journals, military records, replica money and items from the time period, games, lesson plans and activities. These kits are perfect for use in classrooms and home schools.  

Launchpads 
Make tablet-time more educational with these guided learning tablets with pre-loaded apps, stories, and videos, generally around a particular theme. Launchpads bring together a combination of sound, sight, and interactive play, giving kids the tools to learn the way they learn best. Available in themes including Pre-K, Reading and STEAM, the Launchpads do not require internet so they can be used almost anywhere. 

Light Pollution Monitoring Kit 
Light pollution not only affects our view of the stars, but can also waste energy and money, cause sleep disorders in people, and disrupt sleeping and breeding habits of animals. With these kits, also known as a Dark Skies kit, everyone can become a resident scientist and contribute important data to help combat a scientific problem affecting your community and all around the world. This kit includes all the tools you need to measure and document light pollution levels, as well as instructions in English and Spanish. 

Meters and Readers 
Not people who read like you and me, but readers as in things that read. Radon levels, air quality, or that error message on your car's dashboard, we have a meter to read them all. Our current collection of readers include:  

• Battery Tester: Tests your household batteries to see if they are still good or need to be recycled.  

• Kilowatt Usage Monitor: Measures the amount of electricity used by a particular device.  

• Moisture Meter: Detects moisture content in materials, such as drywall, hardwood, masonry or softwood. 

• Air Quality Monitor: Assesses multiple measures of air quality including concentrations of formaldehyde, compounds causing most odors and fine particulate matter. 

• Carbon Monoxide Meter: Detects and measures concentration levels of carbon monoxide (ppm) and temperature. 

• Radon Gas Monitor: Provides fast, accurate results of the radon level at your house or wherever the EcoBlu monitor is set up. 

• Laser Thermometer: Allows you to safely read temperatures without touching the item being measured. 

• On Board Diagnostic Code Reader: Reads a car's self-diagnostic codes. 

• Soil Meter: Measures soil pH, moisture and light.  

Nature Backpacks 
Explore the outdoors with a backpack full of tools to help budding naturalists make the most of their trip through the wilderness. Among the tools included, you will find everything from field guides on local flora and a portable bug observation container to a dip net and compass. The pack also includes a free day pass to any Virginia State Park. 

Sensory Kits 
Stimulate the mind with these kits designed to allow cardholders of all ages explore different sight, sound and touch sensations. Some of the items included are fidget spinners, stretch and squeeze balls, a liquid motion bubble and more. 

Thermal Cameras 
Scan your home or business for hot and cold spots with these cameras that attach directly to your smartphone. With iPhone and Android compatible models, the cameras can help you see leaky outlets, drafty doors, missing insulation and more. 

There Are More “Things” to Come 

Just like our collection of books, our Library of Things is always growing. Make sure to stay tuned to our website and social media sites for the latest of when we add new items!