Varsity Force

Makerspace

Bull Run Library Makerspace, designed for patrons age 13 and older; children age 12 and younger require direct parent or guardian supervision

Central Library’s Studio 8601, Prince William Public Libraries’ first Makerspace Lab, with machines, tools, technology, art supplies, textiles, jewelry-crafting supplies, and tech and coding toys

Makerspaces are available at Bull Run Library and Central Library; a new makerspace was planned for Chinn Park Library

Makerspace equipment and materials are free to use; staff are present during open hours

At: Bull Run, Central, Chinn Park

Cost: Makerspace equipment and materials are free to use

Ages: Bull Run Library Makerspace, designed for patrons age 13 and older | children age 12 and younger require direct parent or guardian supervision

3D printing

Central Library Studio 8601 has 3D printers, including a MakerBot Replicator+ and Ultimaker 2; staff operate the printers and print submitted designs free of charge

Central Library Studio 8601 offers independently usable 3D pens with filament provided by PWPL

Central Library 3D-print files must be STL files requiring no more than five hours of printing time

Bull Run Library offers a 3D printing service and an appointment-based 3D printer

At: Bull Run, Central

Cost: staff operate the printers and print submitted designs free of charge

Laser, CNC and vinyl cutting

Bull Run Library has a Cricut Maker, Cricut Joy, and appointment-based Glowforge Plus Laser Printer

Central Library Studio 8601 has Cricut machines and an appointment-based Glowforge Laser Cutter

Central Library’s Studio 8601 has one Cricut Maker and two Cricut Air machines; patrons bring their own paper, vinyl, or fabric

The Cricut Design app can be used to design projects before visiting Central Library’s makerspace

At: Bull Run, Central

Sewing and textiles

Bull Run Library has Brother CS7000s sewing machines, a Singer SO100 serger, a Brother PE800 embroidery machine, looms, fiber-arts tools, and a Moxie HQ Long Arm Quilting Machine available by appointment

Central Library Studio 8601 has sewing machines, embroidery machines, a serger, a rigid heddle loom, and circle looms

Central Library’s Studio 8601 has six Singer 4452 sewing machines and two Brother embroidery machines

Limited thread, yarn, fabrics, and other textile materials are provided in the makerspaces

At: Bull Run, Central

Recording studio

Central Library Studio 8601 has a Whisper Room sound booth

The Whisper Room supports audio, video, music, and podcast recording and includes a keyboard, microphones, mixer board, MacBook, and recording software

Visitors have recorded their own podcasts in the Whisper Room

Important Library Stuff is a PWPL podcast hosted by media specialist Emily Bickers, with new episodes released every other week

At: Central

Video production

The Central Library Studio 8601 Whisper Room supports video recording

Studio 8601 has audio/visual recording equipment

At: Central

Creative software

Central Library Studio 8601 provides Adobe Creative Cloud

The Digital Preservation Lab at Central Library provides full Adobe Creative Cloud for further editing of digitized materials

The Cricut Design app is available for designing makerspace projects

LinkedIn Learning offers videos covering computer skills, web development, music editing, and video editing

At: Central

Kids' STEM

Central Library Studio 8601 has Sphero, Ozobot, and Makey Makey coding equipment

Central Library Studio 8601 has Arduino, Chibi Chip, Ozobot Bits, Sphero Bolt, SNAP circuits, and other technology and coding equipment

A FROGbots Robotics Demonstration was offered at Haymarket Gainesville Library for children interested in robotics or technology

PWPL programs include STEM activities, arts and crafts programs, and book clubs

At: Central, Haymarket Gainesville

Homework help

Brainfuse HelpNow connects users with live educators for homework, writing, and research help and is free seven days a week from 2:00–11:00 p.m.

HelpNow is available for students in grades K–college

LearningExpress Library provides homework help and skill-building resources for math, reading, writing, social studies, and other subjects

Librarians can help users find sources, navigate databases, and get book recommendations

Cost: Brainfuse HelpNow connects users with live educators for homework, writing, and research help and is free seven days a week from 2:00–11:00 p.m.

Ages: HelpNow is available for students in grades K–college

Career resources

PWPL provides application-writing, résumé-writing, cover-letter-writing, job-search, and interview-practice help seven days a week from 2:00–11:00 p.m.

Career Online High School offers eligible residents at least age 20 a pathway to an online high school diploma and career certification; a free self-assessment is available

Universal Class provides instructional videos on vocational subjects, careers, personal finance, and self-improvement

Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test Prep includes e-books for careers and vocations and licensing resources for real estate and cosmetology/barbering

Cost: Career Online High School offers eligible residents at least age 20 a pathway to an online high school diploma and career certification | a free self-assessment is available

Ages: Career Online High School offers eligible residents at least age 20 a pathway to an online high school diploma and career certification

Nature and farm programmes

PWPL has four story trails at Central, Chinn Park, Haymarket Gainesville, and Independent Hill Libraries

Pollinator gardens are located at Bull Run, Central, Haymarket Gainesville, Independent Hill, Montclair, and Nokesville Libraries

Central Green at Central Library hosts hands-on nature exploration and conservation activities

Forest Magic for Kids is a nature book containing 50 activities for exploring the outdoors

At: Bull Run, Central, Chinn Park, Haymarket Gainesville, Montclair, Independent Hill, Nokesville

Library of Things

WhaZoodle is a portable audio device preloaded with podcasts, music, and other audio content and does not require Wi-Fi

PWPL lends I Love Virginia State Parks backpacks containing a free admission pass usable at any Virginia State Park, maps, and pocket guides

Juvenile Book Club to Go! Kits contain up to 10 copies of a librarian-selected juvenile title and may be checked out for six weeks and renewed

Cost: PWPL lends I Love Virginia State Parks backpacks containing a free admission pass usable at any Virginia State Park, maps, and pocket guides

Museum and park passes

I Love Virginia State Parks backpacks include a free admission pass usable at any Virginia State Park

Cost: I Love Virginia State Parks backpacks include a free admission pass usable at any Virginia State Park

Memory lab and digitisation

RELIC’s Digital Preservation Lab at Central Library provides free-to-use equipment for digitizing and sharing family photos, slides, Super 8 reels, and other cherished media

The Digital Preservation Lab is available by appointment, with reservations by phone at 703-792-8380, email, or the PWPL Online Events Calendar

RELIC offers a one-hour orientation and one-on-one patron appointments for the Digital Preservation Lab

Studio 8601 has scanners, photo scanners, and Media Conversion Technology

At: Central

Cost: RELIC’s Digital Preservation Lab at Central Library provides free-to-use equipment for digitizing and sharing family photos, slides, Super 8 reels, and other cherished media

Proctoring and testing

PWPL offers test-proctoring services at six libraries; the fee is $35 per test

Proctoring services are listed for Bull Run, Central, Chinn Park, Haymarket Gainesville, Montclair, and Potomac Libraries

Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test Prep provides GED preparation, practice tests, and tutorials

PWPL provides print and digital test guides for citizenship, TOEFL, GED, and other areas

At: Bull Run, Central, Chinn Park, Haymarket Gainesville, Montclair, Potomac

Cost: the fee is $35 per test

Teen space

Bull Run Library has a dedicated tween area and children’s and young adult area

Central Library has a dedicated teen area

Chinn Park Library has a Teen Center

Nokesville Library hosts a monthly Tween and Teen Takeover night for grades 6–12; registration is required

At: Bull Run, Central, Chinn Park, Nokesville

Ages: Bull Run Library has a dedicated tween area and children’s and young adult area | Central Library has a dedicated teen area | Chinn Park Library has a Teen Center | Nokesville Library hosts a monthly Tween and Teen Takeover night for grades 6–12

Gaming, esports and VR

Montclair Library’s Gaming Lounge has a PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, games, and seating

Montclair Gaming Lounge reservations may be made 14 days in advance; users may schedule two two-hour reservations per week, and requests must be made by a library cardholder age 12 or older

Central Library Studio 8601 has virtual reality headsets

The Montclair Gaming Lounge has a maximum occupancy of four people

At: Central, Montclair

Ages: users may schedule two two-hour reservations per week, and requests must be made by a library cardholder age 12 or older