Thermal Cameras, Quilting Machines, and Free Seeds: Yes, That's the Library

When you think of the library, you may picture cozy reading nooks, stacks of bestsellers, and quiet study areas. Those are all part of what makes the library special—but they are only the beginning.

As November invites us to reflect on the services and resources that make everyday life a little easier, Prince William Public Libraries offers plenty to appreciate beyond the shelves. With a library card, residents can access tools, creative equipment, group reading materials, and even free seeds for a future garden.

From resources that can help households save money to services that bring friends, families, and neighbors together, here are a few lesser-known library offerings.

Borrow, Don’t Buy: The Library of Things

Why purchase an expensive item you may use only once? PWPL’s expanded Library of Things lets you borrow useful nontraditional items for projects, travel, and everyday needs.

Need a thermal camera to identify drafts around your windows before winter arrives? Want to try a sleep machine before deciding whether to buy one? Planning a fall road trip and need a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot? Your local library can help.

The Library of Things is one way the library helps residents try something new, tackle a short-term project, or meet a temporary need without adding another costly purchase. Browse available items through the Online Catalog, place a hold, and pick up your item at your preferred branch.

Bring People Together: Book Club to Go Kits

Some of the best parts of the season are the chances to gather, catch up, and share a good story, and PWPL’s Book Club to Go Kits make it easier to host a book discussion. Instead of checking out a single title, each kit includes up to 10 copies for your group, including a Large Print edition when available. There are kits for children, teens, and adults, and they can be checked out for six weeks, giving your group plenty of time to read, gather, and talk at your own pace.

Whether you are starting a new neighborhood book club, bringing coworkers together over lunch, or looking for a meaningful reason to reconnect with friends, a Book Club to Go Kit can help turn a good book into a shared experience.

Make Something Meaningful: Makerspaces

The most memorable gifts, celebrations, and business materials often have a personal touch. Whether you are preparing for a wedding, hosting a major party, creating custom gifts, or developing materials for a small business, PWPL’s makerspaces offer the equipment to bring an idea to life.

Visit the Makerspaces at Hive 8051 at Bull Run Library and Studio 8601 at Central Library to access creative tools, including Cricut Makers, embroidery and sewing machines, heat presses, and a Moxie Long Arm Quilting Machine.

Create personalized tote bags for a special event, sew a one-of-a-kind keepsake, produce custom décor, or design signage for a new storefront. The makerspaces are a welcoming resource for makers of all experience levels—whether you are trying a craft for the first time or refining a project you have been planning for months.

Grow Something Good: The Little Free Seed Library

You do not need a large backyard—or a green thumb—to enjoy growing something of your own. Whether you have a garden plot or a few pots on a sunny windowsill, the Little Free Seed Library can help you get started.

Made possible through the Prince William County Seed Library Coalition—a collaboration among PWPL, the Virginia Cooperative Extension, and local garden clubs—the seed libraries offer a simple, community-minded way to support home gardening and pollinators.

Stop by Central, Chinn Park, Haymarket Gainesville, Manassas City, Montclair, or Potomac Library to browse available seeds. Choose from free vegetable, herb, pollinator, and native plant seeds to take home and plant. No library card or checkout is required.

Discover Something New This November

Ready to see what your library card can do? Visit pwcva.gov/library, search “Prince William Public Library” to download the app from the App Store or Google Play, or stop by one of our 12 branches. There is always something new to discover—and plenty to appreciate—at your library.