Varsity Force

Makerspace

DREAM Lab at the Fairmount Heights Branch offers new and emerging technologies, tools, guidance, and reservations for technology-based projects

Dream Lab resources include laser engraving and cutting, 3D printing, vinyl cutting, an Audio Visual Studio, and an iMac WorkStation

The Dream Lab is located at Fairmount Heights Branch Library, 5904 Kolb Street, Fairmount Heights, MD 20743

At: Fairmount Heights

3D printing

PGCMLS provides 3D printing to library-card holders; customers submit print requests online and pick up completed prints at any PGCMLS branch

3D printing costs $1.00 per hour, with printing time rounded to the nearest half hour; customers may submit up to three prints per month

3D prints may not exceed 6 inches wide × 6 inches deep × 6 inches high; the stated approximate wait time is two weeks

DREAM Lab 3D printing equipment includes an Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ with a 250×210×210 mm build volume and an Ultimaker S5 with a 330×240×300 mm build volume

Cost: 3D printing costs $1.00 per hour, with printing time rounded to the nearest half hour

Ages: PGCMLS provides 3D printing to library-card holders | PGCMLS offers 3D printing programs for all ages, and lists Tinkercad, Sculptris, and Blender among its 3D design resources

Laser, CNC and vinyl cutting

The Dream Lab has a Glowforge Pro CO2 laser for cutting, engraving, and scoring materials including wood, plastics, and textiles

The Glowforge Pro laser has an approximately 11 × 19.5-inch maximum printable area and a maximum cutting time of three hours; PVC and food are prohibited materials

Laser engraver reservations may be up to three hours; first-time users receive safety and operation training from Dream Lab staff before independent use

Vinyl-cutting equipment includes a Silhouette Cameo 4 Pro Bundle and a Cricut Explore 3

Sewing and textiles

The Oxon Hill Sewing Lab has sewing machines and some accessories

Oxon Hill offers Sew It Seams beginner machine-sewing sessions and an intermediate open sewing lab in the Foundry

At: Oxon Hill

Recording studio

The Dream Lab Audio-Visual Studio provides professional-grade tools and technology for producing podcasts, music, videos, and other media

The Audio-Visual Studio includes a PreSonus Quantum 2626 audio interface, Focal Alpha 65 Evo studio monitors, a PreSonus FaderPort 16, an Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 keyboard controller, and a TASCAM Mixcast 4 podcast workstation

The studio has microphones including the AKG S214, Shure SM81, Sennheiser e 609, Audio-Technica AT4040, Bluebird SL, Shure SM57, and Shure SM7B

Audio-Visual Studio reservations may be up to two hours and can be booked through the library

Ages: The Dream Lab Audio-Visual Studio provides professional-grade tools and technology for producing podcasts, music, videos, and other media

Video production

The Dream Lab Audio-Visual Studio supports video production and other digital-media projects

Dream Lab iMac workstations support modifying footage to create a film trailer and include Adobe Creative Suite tools for video editing

The Dream Lab offers an iMac Studio: Adobe Suite Presentation: Video Recording program

Creative software

Dream Lab iMac workstations include Adobe Creative Suite software: Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro

Dream Lab iMac workstations also include Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

PGCMLS lists Tinkercad, Sculptris, and Blender as 3D design and modeling resources

LinkedIn Learning provides more than 16,000 courses in seven languages, including animation, business, design, marketing, and programming languages

Kids' STEM

Kids and Teens STEM at Hyattsville is for ages 11–15 and covers 3D printing and modeling, coding, robotics, electronics and circuits, astronomy with telescopes, bridge building, and the egg-drop challenge

Coding: Zumi Robot Cars at Upper Marlboro develops programming skills through games and activities and is presented by STEAM Forward! Academy Foundation

STEM Fun programs include Ozobots, Cubelets, volcano activities, and International Observe the Moon Night

A Makerspace: 3Doodler Pens program was listed in a computer lab

Ages: Kids and Teens STEM at Hyattsville is for ages 11–15 and covers 3D printing and modeling, coding, robotics, electronics and circuits, astronomy with telescopes, bridge building, and the egg-drop challenge

Homework help

Brainfuse HelpNow provides live tutoring in English and Spanish from 2:00 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. EST, plus SkillSurfer practice and a Writing Lab

Brainfuse HelpNow offers live tutoring in any school subject and live FAFSA assistance for students and parents

LearningExpress Library provides tutorials in basic math, reading, and writing, along with college-entrance, employment, and citizenship practice tests

PebbleGo supports research skills for K–3 students with leveled text, educational games, spoken-word audio, and built-in reading tools

Career resources

Library2Go: Career Connector is a free mobile library service offering job-readiness resources, career-search support, resume help, interview tips, online job-application assistance, computers, internet access, printing, faxing, and scanning

Brainfuse JobNow provides resume feedback, interview tips, live job coaching, career-discovery tests, and digital- and financial-literacy lessons

LinkedIn Learning offers more than 16,000 courses in seven languages and professional certificates, including courses in business, design, marketing, animation, and programming

LearningExpress Library provides employment practice tests and career-preparation subjects including hospitality, military, nursing, teaching, and real estate

Cost: Library2Go: Career Connector is a free mobile library service offering job-readiness resources, career-search support, resume help, interview tips, online job-application assistance, computers, internet access, printing, faxing, and scanning

Nature and farm programmes

Tail Waggin' Tutors provides children with one-on-one reading time with a therapy dog at some library events

Kids and Teens STEM includes astronomy with telescopes and hands-on engineering challenges such as building bridges and the egg drop

STEM Fun: International Observe the Moon Night was held at Largo-Kettering

Ages: Kids and Teens STEM includes astronomy with telescopes and hands-on engineering challenges such as building bridges and the egg drop

Library of Things

PGCMLS lends Playaway Launchpads for children ages 3–5; devices are preloaded with learning apps and games and circulate for seven days with three renewals

PGCMLS lends Electric Usage Monitors to adults ages 18 and older for seven days with three renewals

PGCMLS lends thermal cameras for Apple and Android phones to adults ages 18 and older for seven days with three renewals

Ages: PGCMLS lends Playaway Launchpads for children ages 3–5 | PGCMLS lends Electric Usage Monitors to adults ages 18 and older for seven days with three renewals | PGCMLS lends thermal cameras for Apple and Android phones to adults ages 18 and older for seven days with three renewals

Memory lab and digitisation

The renovated Baden Branch includes one digitizer

The Oxon Hill Branch hosts the Speak Your Truth! Oral History Project, which invites patrons to share a story

At: Baden, Oxon Hill

Proctoring and testing

PGCMLS offers proctored Northstar Digital Literacy assessments at the library; appointments may be scheduled with library staff or taken during Technology Help Office Hours

Northstar assessments measure basic digital skills, and certificates can be added to resumes, portfolios, and LinkedIn profiles

The Literacy Council of Montgomery County offered free GED classes at Fairmount Heights; enrolled students received practice tests and GED exams paid for by the Literacy Council

LearningExpress Library provides practice tests for college entrance, employment, and citizenship, including SAT, ACT, PSAT, AP, and TOEFL preparation

At: Fairmount Heights

Cost: The Literacy Council of Montgomery County offered free GED classes at Fairmount Heights

Teen space

Teen Zone programs are listed at Surratts-Clinton and Oxon Hill

Teen Action Group (TAG) meets at multiple branches, including Bladensburg, South Bowie, Hyattsville, Upper Marlboro, Beltsville, Laurel, and Glenarden

The PGCMLS Teen Zone Discord supports peer engagement, movie nights, gaming programs, and Teen Action Group/Teen Action Board meetings

Surratts-Clinton has a Study Room 5 identified for teens

At: Oxon Hill

Ages: Teen Zone programs are listed at Surratts-Clinton and Oxon Hill | Teen Action Group (TAG) meets at multiple branches, including Bladensburg, South Bowie, Hyattsville, Upper Marlboro, Beltsville, Laurel, and Glenarden | The PGCMLS Teen Zone Discord supports peer engagement, movie nights, gaming programs, and Teen Action Group/Teen Action Board meetings | Surratts-Clinton has a Study Room 5 identifi

Gaming, esports and VR

PGCMLS offers Game On programs featuring Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, chess and checkers, Nintendo Switch, UNO, and other games

Game On: Xbox was listed as a library program

The Teen Zone Discord is used for gaming programs

Ages: The Teen Zone Discord is used for gaming programs