Varsity Force

Makerspace

The Labs at DC Public Library, including the Labs at MLK Library, offers free creative space for learning, making, and collaboration

Tool Library DIY Space at The Labs at MLK Library, available Sundays by reservation in 90-minute slots, with a maximum of three appointments per month and two users at a time

The Labs at DC Public Library is located on the A Level of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Maker Lab programs are offered at Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library

At: MLK, Parklands-Turner

Cost: The Labs at DC Public Library, including the Labs at MLK Library, offers free creative space for learning, making, and collaboration

3D printing

The Labs at DC Public Library offers an Ultimaker 3 3D printer

The one-hour 3D Printer Orientation teaches participants how to use the Ultimaker 3; completion of Labs Safety Orientation is required first, and completion of the class is required before booking a DIY Ultimaker appointment

The Labs are designated for people age 13 and older; children ages 6–12 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times

Ages: The Labs are designated for people age 13 and older | children ages 6–12 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times

Laser, CNC and vinyl cutting

The Quote on a Notebook class uses Canva to create a vinyl decal and a Cricut cutting machine to decorate a notebook; Cricut design software is also used

Supplies are provided for the Quote on a Notebook class, and space is limited

Sewing and textiles

The Labs at DC Public Library provides sewing machines for learning basic machine use or completing a simple repair

First-time Labs sewists receive a one-hour sewing machine orientation during their first three-hour appointment; completion of Labs Safety Orientation is required before reserving machines

The sewing machine orientation teaches participants to thread and use a Brother sewing machine; completing it is required before reserving Lab sewing machines

Sewing machine reservations are listed for adults and teens ages 13–19, with three-hour appointment slots

Ages: Sewing machine reservations are listed for adults and teens ages 13–19, with three-hour appointment slots

Recording studio

The Labs at MLK Library has a Studio Lab for recording a podcast

The Audio Recording Studio offers two-hour DIY sessions for up to three people; first-time participants must complete the release form, bring a library card and photo ID, and review safety guidelines

The DIY Digital Series: Intro to Podcasting is a one-hour beginner workshop covering podcasting theory and creating and publishing podcasts with Anchor.fm

The Intro to Podcasting workshop is conducted through Zoom, requires registration, has limited space, and provides captioning

At: MLK

Video production

The Multipurpose Studio can be used for green screen sessions and photography sessions

The Multipurpose Studio has a three-point lighting kit and green screen available by request, plus two tables, five chairs, and power outlets; capacity is five people

A Five-Minute Horror Filmmaking Workshop is listed at Northeast Neighborhood Library

At: Northeast

Creative software

Creative computers at The Labs include Adobe Creative Suite

The Quote on a Notebook class uses Canva and Cricut design software

DC Public Library goDigital resources include Universal Class and LinkedIn Learning

The Achievery is a free, ad-free digital learning platform with more than 500 videos and clips paired with learning activities across seven academic subject areas

Cost: The Achievery is a free, ad-free digital learning platform with more than 500 videos and clips paired with learning activities across seven academic subject areas

Kids' STEM

Kids Coding Club serves children ages 5–12 and teaches coding and computational thinking while discussing how apps, games, and robots are made; six laptops are available

Kids Coding Club meets at Rosedale Neighborhood Library and requires registration

STEM After School Program is offered at Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library

STEM Storytime and Discovery Lab is offered at Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library

At: Parklands-Turner, Southwest, Rosedale, Francis A. Gregory

Ages: Kids Coding Club serves children ages 5–12 and teaches coding and computational thinking while discussing how apps, games, and robots are made

Homework help

Homework help is available to children once they start school

The Achievery provides more than 500 videos and clips paired with learning activities across seven academic subject areas for students, parents, and educators

Career resources

DC Public Library provides resources for adults to expand skills through online classes, explore career paths, draft a resume, and prepare for an interview

The Library offers job-readiness courses and online learning resources including LinkedIn Learning

Teen Job Seekers and Writing Workshop is offered at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Ages: DC Public Library provides resources for adults to expand skills through online classes, explore career paths, draft a resume, and prepare for an interview | Teen Job Seekers and Writing Workshop is offered at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Nature and farm programmes

Watch It Grow: Plants Made Easy! is listed as a children’s program at Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library

Explore the World Through a Microscope is offered at Southwest Neighborhood Library as a children’s science program

Gingerbread House Building uses creativity and engineering skills and is offered at Parklands-Turner Library

At: Parklands-Turner, Southwest

Museum and park passes

During Discover Summer, a DC Public Library card is described as a ticket to some D.C. museums, and the Library partners with local museums for Library Days

Memory lab and digitisation

The Memory Lab at The Labs at MLK Library provides equipment and step-by-step instructions for preserving personal documents, home movies, and photographs

At: MLK

Proctoring and testing

The Adult Learning Department at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library offers the GED Ready Practice Test for free

GED Ready Practice Tests are offered Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 5:00 p.m.; participants may take one of four subject tests per time slot

GED Ready Practice Test participants must be at least 18 and bring picture identification showing their address; the test is offered by appointment or scheduled session at the MLK Library Adult Learning Department

In Washington, D.C., a person must first take the GED Ready Practice Test and obtain a certain score before taking the official GED exam

At: MLK

Cost: The Adult Learning Department at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library offers the GED Ready Practice Test for free

Ages: The Adult Learning Department at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library offers the GED Ready Practice Test for free | the test is offered by appointment or scheduled session at the MLK Library Adult Learning Department

Notary

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library offers free notary public services every second and third Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis

Notary services are provided in Community Room 202-N on the second floor, across from the Alma Thomas Teen Space

Customers must bring required documents and a valid government-issued photo ID; the notary cannot prepare, complete, or explain legal documents

The notary service can provide translators and ASL interpretation on request

Cost: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library offers free notary public services every second and third Saturday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis

Ages: Notary services are provided in Community Room 202-N on the second floor, across from the Alma Thomas Teen Space

Teen space

The Alma Thomas Teen Space is on the second floor of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

DC Public Library has a TAG–Teen Advisory Group program at Capitol View Neighborhood Library

Teen Lounge is offered at Southwest Neighborhood Library

Teen Job Seekers and Writing Workshop is offered at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

At: Parklands-Turner, Capitol View, Southwest

Ages: The Alma Thomas Teen Space is on the second floor of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library | DC Public Library has a TAG–Teen Advisory Group program at Capitol View Neighborhood Library | Teen Lounge is offered at Southwest Neighborhood Library | Teen Job Seekers and Writing Workshop is offered at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Gaming, esports and VR

Gaming Unplugged is offered at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Gamer’s Galaxy is offered at Anacostia Neighborhood Library

Pokémon Club is offered at Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library

Anime Cafe – Game Night is listed as a teen program

At: Anacostia, Cleveland Park

Ages: Anime Cafe – Game Night is listed as a teen program