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Community Resources & Things to Do · 4 resources matching “Arlington Public Library”
Arlington County
Arlington Public Library
Public library system; 7 locations
Cost
Library access is free; specific services carry fees where noted: consumables cost $0.05 per gram and resin printing costs $0.15 per mL | The Shop has a Silhouette CAMEO 3 vinyl cutter and vinyl heat press. Adhesive vinyl costs $0.50 per sheet and heat-transfer vinyl costs $0.75 per sheet
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- Makerspace
- 3D printing
- Laser, CNC and vinyl cutting
- Sewing and textiles
- Creative software
- Teen space
- Kids' STEM
- Gaming, esports and VR
- Memory lab and digitisation
- Library of Things
- Museum and park passes
- Homework help
Worth the trip for
The Shop combines 3D printing, Glowforge laser cutting, Silhouette vinyl cutting, sewing, quilting, embroidery, glasswork, and media digitization in a Central Library makerspace; Open Lab is available to active-card holders age 9+ with a Maker User Agreement
What you can do here
Make 4
Makerspace
The Shop is Arlington Public Library’s makerspace at Central Library, 2nd floor, 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22201. Open Lab supports personal and collaborative projects, feedback, experimentation, and staff assistance; active library card, completed Maker User Agreement, and age 9+ are
The Shop is Arlington Public Library’s makerspace at Central Library, 2nd floor, 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22201. Open Lab supports personal and collaborative projects, feedback, experimentation, and staff assistance; active library card, completed Maker User Agreement, and age 9+ are required
The Shop offers free programs in sewing techniques, 3D-printing projects, social crafting, and introductions to the Silhouette Cameo Cutter and Glowforge Laser Cutter
Source3D printing
The Shop has staff-operated 3D printers. Patrons must submit a 3D Printing request and make an appointment for a 3D Printing consultation; consumables cost $0.05 per gram and resin printing costs $0.15 per mL
The Shop’s equipment includes an Epson F170 sublimation printer, button makers, a Logan 350 mat cutter, glass-cutting tools, a glass grinder, and a Fuseworks Craft Glass Fusion Kiln. The kiln requires a certification class and online reservation
SourceLaser, CNC and vinyl cutting
The Shop has a Glowforge laser cutter. Use requires a certification class and online reservation, is restricted to makers age 18 and older, and requires patrons to provide their own materials
The Shop has a Silhouette CAMEO 3 vinyl cutter and vinyl heat press. Adhesive vinyl costs $0.50 per sheet and heat-transfer vinyl costs $0.75 per sheet
SourceSewing and textiles
The Shop has Brother CS6000i and Brother CS7000i computerized sewing and quilting machines, Brother PE800 and PE900 embroidery machines, SINGER 14HD854 Heavy Duty Serger, and SINGER Heavy Duty 6800C sewing machine
The Shop has Hatch Embroidery Digitizer, dress forms in sizes small through large, and requires patrons to provide their own fabric and thread
SourceRecord 1
Creative software
The Shop provides Build-a-Button software
Children’s computer stations include Microsoft Office; George W. Hawkes Downtown Library Chromeboxes provide internet access and Google web-based apps
SourceLearn 4
Kids' STEM
Little Explorers programs for ages 0–4 focus on art, math, science, engineering, and fine-motor skills
The library offers STEAM programs covering Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, plus homeschool programs with STEAM activities
Read It Again STEM Kits contain educational toys, games, DVDs, CDs, puppets, and books focused on science, technology, engineering, and math for grade-school-aged students
SourceHomework help
Brainfuse HelpNow provides free K–12, all-subject online tutoring with a library card, including on-demand tutoring, an online writing lab, and study sessions
Learning Express Library provides grades 3–8 tutorials, practice sheets, and test preparation in math, reading, writing, and social studies, including STAAR preparation
H.O.P.E. Tutoring provides weekly onsite, all-subject tutoring for grades 2–8 at George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, East Library and Recreation Center, and Southeast Library; students must sign up
Brainfuse HelpNow includes live tutoring in math, science, reading/writing, social studies, PSAT/SAT, ACT, AP, and state standardized tests, plus a 24-Hour Writing Lab and homework-question assistance
SourceCareer resources
Brainfuse HelpNow’s Adult Learning Center provides live professional assistance with resume and cover-letter writing
The Teleconnect Space may be booked for job interviews, career-counseling meetings, college or scholarship interviews, meetings with college counselors or financial-aid decision-makers, and SCORE counselor meetings
SourceNature and farm programmes
Nature Backpacks support exploration of Virginia State Parks and nature study, with guides to bugs and slugs, animal tracks, Virginia birds, mammals, Virginia trees and geology, plus a field-observation container, dip net, magnifying lens, and activities
SourceBorrow 3
Library of Things
Nature Backpacks include a Virginia State Parks parking pass, Pocket Naturalist Guides, Port-A-Bug observation container, dip net, magnifying lens, Leave No Trace card, and activity suggestions. They check out for one week, cannot be renewed, and may be placed on hold through the catalog
The Game Collection lends games for all ages for one week; games may be renewed once when not on hold and returned to any library location
The library has 100 Books Before Kindergarten backpacks available for checkout from any library location, each containing 10 picture books
Read it Again Kits contain educational toys, games, DVDs, CDs, puppets, and books and are available for checkout at any library location
SourceMuseum and park passes
Nature Backpacks include a parking pass for free parking and entrance to all Virginia State Parks except Natural Bridge State Park and Southwest Virginia Museum State Park, which charge per-person entry fees
SourceMemory lab and digitisation
The Shop has a ClearClick Video to Digital Converter for VHS and Beta, Epson Perfection V600 Flatbed Scanner for photos, film, and slides, Epson FastFoto 680W photo scanner, Wolverine Data Film2Digital MovieMaker-PRO for 8mm and Super 8 conversion, and ION Audio Classic LP 3-Speed USB Conversion Tur
The Shop has a ClearClick Video to Digital Converter for VHS and Beta, Epson Perfection V600 Flatbed Scanner for photos, film, and slides, Epson FastFoto 680W photo scanner, Wolverine Data Film2Digital MovieMaker-PRO for 8mm and Super 8 conversion, and ION Audio Classic LP 3-Speed USB Conversion Turntable for vinyl
SourceHang out 2
Teen space
The Young Adult Area at George W. Hawkes Downtown Library is reserved for teens during the week and is intended for exploring, hanging out, and special teen programs; dates and times are provided through a linked schedule
Teen Corner is Arlington Public Library’s teen-only Discord server, with library announcements, events, Teen Services staff chat, and channels for teen volunteers and Library Youth Ambassadors. Teens apply online and receive an invitation from library staff; students age 12 and under cannot participate under Discord’s terms
Library Youth Ambassadors help shape teen programs and services and develop leadership and teamwork skills. Members must be approved library volunteers and complete a membership application; meetings are scheduled for the first and third Thursday of each month, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Teen Advisory Board members compile annual top-10 recommended book lists for their schools. Middle School TAB meets during lunch in school libraries; High School TAB meets monthly at Central Library, where pizza is provided
SourceGaming, esports and VR
The Game Collection provides games for players of all ages that encourage continued learning, constructive play, and creative thinking. Games check out for one week, may be renewed once if not on hold, and can be returned to any library location
Teen programming includes Dungeons & Dragons Free Play and Basics Sessions at Southwest Branch and Chess Club for teens ages 13–17
SourceNamed branches in this system
Arlington County
The Shop at Arlington Central Library
The Shop is Arlington Public Library’s makerspace at Central Library, 2nd floor, 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22201. Open Lab supports personal and collaborative projects, feedback, experimentation, and staff assistance; active library card, completed Maker User Agreement, and age 9+ are required
Cost
The Shop offers free programs in sewing techniques, 3D-printing projects, social crafting, and introductions to the Silhouette Cameo Cutter and Glowforge Laser Cutter ; consumables cost $0.05 per gram and resin printing costs $0.15 per mL ; The Shop has a Silhouette CAMEO 3 vinyl cutter and vinyl heat press. Adhesive vinyl costs $0.50 per sheet and heat-transfer vinyl costs $0.75 per sheet
Best fit
kids, teens, ya
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Ages
Ages 9 and up
Part of
Arlington
The Shop
Arlington's public makerspace at Central Library, with free classes and an equipment open lab. Free classes in sewing, 3D printing and technology; Glowforge laser cutter and Silhouette Cameo vinyl cutter; embroidery and sewing machines; Collage Club social crafting; staff on hand during Open Lab (Tue–Sat).
Cost
Free programs; only consumables are charged (3D printing $0.05/gram, buttons $0.15 each, vinyl $0.50–0.75/sheet, laminating $0.25–0.50). An active library card and Maker User Agreement are required.
Best fit
kids, teens, ya
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Ages
Ages 9 and up
Arlington
Arlington County Fair
Large urban county fair and community festival run by the nonprofit Arlington County Fair organization in partnership with Arlington County’s Department of Parks & Recreation at Thomas Jefferson Community Center and Park. Rides/midway: Outdoor carnival rides and games operating all five days, with evening openings mid‑week and full‑day hours on the weekend; Entertainment: Multiple stages with live music (local rock, Latin, family performers), magic shows, and a 50th‑anniversary program including an opening ceremony and DC Sports Zone with area pro teams; Community & exhibits: Indoor vendors and exhibits, competitions, a beer garden and night market on select evenings, plus free shuttles and bike valet enhancing accessibility.
Cost
Gate admission: Arlington County and the Fair FAQ state that admission to the Fair is FREE; no ticket is needed for exhibits, performances, and live entertainment; Rides: Carnival rides and some activities are fee‑based, with ride ticket prices listed separately by the fair; outdoor stage and Kids’ Court activities are free; Parking: There is no general on‑site public parking at the fairgrounds; limited ADA parking is provided at the community center lot. Fair and County guidance direct visitors to off‑site parking at the Ballston Mall Parking Garage, reached by a free shuttle; parking rates there start around $1 for three hours, charged by the garage, not by the fair; Free days/policies: Admission for all ages is free every day; no separate free‑for‑kids day is listed because the gate is always free.
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families, sen
Before you go
Aug 12–16, 2026 · every August. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
August 12 – 16, 2026, at Thomas Jefferson Community Center and Park. The County describes this as a 5-day annual fair in mid-August, consistent with prior years (e.g., August 13–17, 2025).