Library of Things

Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) has long been known for providing books and, in the last twenty or so years, digital books, digital audiobooks, and streaming videos. The library also has a Library Of Things. Formally known as Realia, a Library of Things (LoT) is a collection of items for loan that expands the boundaries of traditionally defined library materials.  A Library of Things fits into the concept of the “sharing economy.” It allows library customers hands on experience with a variety of items or maybe to try something out to decide if it is something they want to own for themselves.

In this guide you will find:

• non-literary content the library circulates;
• the lending policy for those items, which often differs from the more familiar book lending policies;
• how to use the items;
• guides and manuals that came with the items;
• additional resources about the topic.

This guide is for 

• Those wanting to better understand their home's energy use;
• Students are interested in STEM learning;
• Educators wanting to provide supplements to history lessons;
• The curious;
• People wanting to try before they buy;
• Really, anyone who uses the library and want to learn from books AND things.