Library of things explained

A library of things is any collection of objects loaned, and any organization that practices such loaning. Objects often include kitchen appliances, tools, gardening equipment and seeds,[1] electronics,[2] toys and games, art,[3] science kits, craft supplies, musical instruments, and recreational equipment such as sports and outdoors gear.[4] Especially appropriate are objects that are useful occasionally but cumbersome to store, such as specialized cookware or niche technology items.[5] Collections vary widely, but go far beyond the books, journals, and media that have been the primary focus of traditional libraries.[6]

The library of things movement is a growing trend in public, academic and special libraries in many countries.[7] [8] There are also free-standing organizations separate from libraries, such as tool libraries, toy libraries, community sharing centers,[9] independent non-profits, and individual initiatives. The term 'Library of Things' was popularized by a grassroots experiment started in London in 2014, themselves inspired by Toronto Tool Library.

The Share Shed (Totnes, UK) is developing the first mobile library of things. Collections are often supported by educational programming and public events.[10] These borrowing centers and library collections are part of the sharing economy.[11]

In Wales, Benthyg Cymru have developed a network to support each other sharing knowledge not just things.

Types of collections

Arts and crafts

Art rentals are being made available for library patrons for borrowing prints, posters, paintings, and other visual art.[12] Additionally, many libraries of things are adding arts and crafts equipment and supplies for use in the library or for check out. Crafting tools may include sewing machines, knitting kits, die-cutters, papercraft tools, jewelry repair and embroidery kits, scrapbooking supplies, and button makers.[13]

Electronics and technology

Libraries have been lending electronics like e-readers, tablets, and laptops for quite some time already, but are now expanding the range of electronics that they lend through the library of things. Electronics offerings have expanded to include mobile hot spots, projectors, scanners, GoPros, graphics tablets, digital and film cameras, video games, converters (vinyl, cassette, and VHS to digital files), green screens, and video cameras.[14]

Musical instruments

Instrument collections have been brought in to libraries, often accompanied by sheet music, tuners, amps, and educational resources.[15] The Free Library of Philadelphia launched its Musical Instrument Collection (MIC) in 2016, and lending includes an electric guitar, mandolin, electric bass, ukulele, acoustic-electric guitar, and a banjo.[16] Lopez Island Library in Lopez Island, Washington introduced a musical instrument "petting zoo", which includes instruments like acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, cello, clarinet, flugelhorn, French horn, electric keyboard, recorder, ukulele, viola and violin.[17] In Oregon, The Jackson County Library Services Library of Things music collection includes a table top electric drum set and a kalimba thumb piano.[18] Music Broth in Scotland has as of 2024 around 3000 instruments. Beginning in Glasgow in 2017, it's library includes everything from guitars to ouds, домра/domra, violins, dulcimers, and electronic music equipment, all the way up to events equipment.[19]

Kitchen equipment

Specialized kitchen equipment including food dehydrators, popcorn machines, ice cream makers, air fryers, instant pots, and Kitchen Aid blenders are available to borrow for home use.[20] [18] Cake pans and novelty bakeware have been particularly popular additions to libraries, with many stand-alone collections being created.[21]

Gardening and seed libraries

Seed libraries have cropped up as a part of public library collections.[22] Many have a policy for users who "check out" seeds for a growing season; they agree to plant the checked-out seeds and then save seeds from the yield to return to the collection for the following year.[23] Some seed libraries have become a point of contention with state governments' agriculture departments.[24] Agricultural equipment, landscaping tools, and gardening supplies are also included in 'things' collections, and may include rakes, hedge trimmers, pruners, hand tools, leaf blowers, and lawn mowers.[25] Some libraries are also creating community gardens[26] where library users can check out a garden plot for a growing season.[27]

Home tools

Home monitoring tools such as thermal cameras, leak detectors, air quality meters, infrared thermometers, energy meters, and other devices are available in some collections for borrowing.[28]

Recreation

Some libraries are bringing in equipment to help users enjoy outdoor recreation, sometimes in partnership with local Parks and Recreation departments. Among a wide range of recreation equipment offerings are fishing rods,[29] frisbees and whiffle balls, bird watching kits and croquet,[30] badminton, bocce or pickleball sets.[31]

Similarly, libraries are checking out party supplies for social recreation, including items like bubble, cotton candy, and karaoke machines, chocolate fountains, or boomboxes.[32]

Science and maker

The Maker movement[33] has had an influence on the collections available at Libraries of Things, and as a result there are littleBits, Arduino, Makey Makey, Raspberry Pi, robotics kits, coding toys, 3D printers and vinyl and laser cutters may be available for check out at many libraries.[34] Similarly, science tools like digital microscopes, telescopes, light meters and themed science kits are being made available to borrow.[35]

Tools

Tool libraries have gained popularity as free-standing borrowing centers in many cities, and libraries[36] are also bringing in tool collections for borrowing. Hand and power tools for home improvement, construction and fine woodworking are popular additions to libraries, and often are accompanied by programming and educational opportunities.[37]

Toys

Toy lending centers have a longer history, stretching back to the Great Depression. Recently, though, libraries have come to embrace the concept of toy libraries, and have introduced lending collections of puppets, board games, American Girl dolls,[38] puzzles, blocks and a wide variety of other toys into their collections.[39] [40]

Other

The library of things movement is expanding to include an ever-widening array of items. Objects include tiebraries,[41] taxidermied animals,[42] museum passes,[43] or Santa Claus suits.[44] Palm Harbor Public Library in Florida has a collection for role playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons (the Mark Mazurek Role Playing Game Collections).[45]

List of organizations

Traditional libraries

Free-standing

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Not Your Garden-Variety Library. Landgraf. Greg. 5 January 2015. American Libraries Magazine. 19 July 2017.
  2. Web site: Start Your Own Mobile Device-Lending Program. TechSoup for Libraries. 19 July 2017.
    - Web site: Check Out a Library Hotspot » Public Libraries Online. Rosales. Romeo. publiclibrariesonline.org. 25 February 2016 . 19 July 2017.
  3. Web site: Borrowing Art @ The Library » Public Libraries Online. Collie. Victoria. publiclibrariesonline.org. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131113223245/http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/11/borrowing-art-the-library/. 2013-11-13. 19 July 2017.
  4. News: Brown. Patricia Leigh. 14 September 2015. These Public Libraries Are for Snowshoes and Ukuleles. The New York Times. 1 August 2017. 0362-4331.
  5. News: Williams. Casey. 29 April 2016. How Libraries -- Yes, Libraries -- Are Helping People Ditch Stuff They Don't Need. Huffington Post. 25 July 2017.
  6. Web site: The Library of Things. Mead. Brian. Dankowski. Terra. 1 June 2017. American Libraries Magazine. 19 July 2017.
  7. Web site: The Library of Things: 8 Spaces Changing How We Think About Stuff . Johnson . Cat . June 15, 2016 . shareable.net . May 12, 2019 .
  8. Book: Audio Recorders to Zucchini Seeds. Robison. Mark. Shedd. Lindley. Libraries Unlimited. 2017. 978-1-4408-5019-6. Santa Barbara, CA.
  9. Web site: All the things you need, right around the corner . thethingery.com . May 12, 2019.
  10. Web site: Can I Check This Out? : Circulating Collections Beyond Books, CDs, and DVDs. Cassidy. Charles. 15 November 2012. Public Libraries Online. 9 August 2017.
  11. News: Sharing Economy. Figueroa. Miguel. 6 October 2014. American Libraries. 1 August 2017.
  12. Web site: Art Prints . Ann Arbor District Library. 8 August 2017.
    - Web site: Borrowing Art @ The Library » Public Libraries Online. Collie. Victoria. 5 November 2013. publiclibrariesonline.org. 9 August 2017.
  13. News: Borrow a sewing machine? Sacramento Public Library to start loaning more than books. Garrison. Ellen. 1 February 2015. sacbee. 8 August 2017.
    - News: Check out arts & crafts with kits from the library! . Zinn. Jill. 1 June 2015. Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. 8 August 2017.
    - News: A new "library of things" lets you test your hidden genius by borrowing nearly anything. Beuker. Jessica. 8 January 2016. The Plaid Zebra. 10 August 2017.
  14. News: Camera Kits. Spokane Public Library. 9 August 2017.
    - Web site: Check Out a Library Hotspot . Rosales, Jr.. Romeo. 24 February 2016. Public Libraries Online. 9 August 2017.
  15. Web site: Borrow a Musical Instrument . Toronto Public Library. 8 August 2017.
    - Web site: Borrow a musical instrument. Forbes Library. 8 August 2017.
    - Web site: About Music Tools . Ann Arbor District Library. 8 August 2017.
  16. News: Blog: Opening Notes of Instrument Lending at the Free Library. Genovesi. Perry. 21 September 2016. Free Library of Philadelphia. 1 August 2017.
  17. Web site: Musical Instrument Petting Zoo is coming August 12th 12 – 2pm . Lopez Island Library. 1 August 2017.
  18. Web site: JCLS Library of Things. Jcls.org.
  19. Web site: Music Broth Scotland's Loudest Library . 2024-04-23 . Music Broth . en.
  20. Web site: Library of Extraordinary Things: Culinary Cupboard . 9 August 2017 . Elmhurst Public Library.
    - News: Johnson . Cat . June 15, 2016 . The Library of Things: 8 Spaces Changing How We Think About Stuff . Shareable . 8 August 2017.
    - News: Alteir . Nuran . 29 May 2015 . Checking 'things' out: Library offers bakeware and gadgets to accompany those how-to books . OregonLive.com . 8 August 2017.
    - Tuttle . Brad . May 25, 2016 . 22 Incredibly Useful Things Your Town Is Probably Giving Away for Free . Money.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20210514005908/https://money.com/free-stuff-lending-libraries/ . May 14, 2021 . 8 August 2017.
  21. News: Let Them Lend Cake Pans. Schwartz. Meredith. 14 June 2012. Library Journal. 8 August 2017.
    - News: Check out a cake pan from the library . Lysgaard. Ingrid. 20 October 2015. The Boston Globe. 8 August 2017.
    - Web site: LibGuides: Cake Pans: Overview. The Public Library, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. 8 August 2017.
    - Web site: Holiday baking with our cake pan collection . Andover Public Library. 8 August 2017.
    - Web site: Library of Things . Public Library of Brookline. 8 August 2017.
    - Web site: Cake Pan & Cookie Cutters. North Haven Memorial Library. 8 August 2017.
    - Web site: List of Cake Pans . Ackley Public Library. 8 August 2017.
    - News: Cake Pans . Seward Memorial Library. 9 August 2017.
  22. News: How To Save A Public Library: Make It A Seed Bank. Runyon. Luke. 2 February 2013. NPR.org. 8 August 2017.
    - Web site: 5 Public Libraries That Have Gone to Seed (Libraries). Dawson. Gloria. 17 July 2013. Modern Farmer. 8 August 2017.
  23. Web site: Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library. Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library. 9 August 2017.
    - News: Welcome to the Seed Library. Pima County Public Library. 9 August 2017.
    - Web site: A Seed Library Grows in Clayton . Depauville Free Library. 9 August 2017.
  24. Web site: Seed Libraries and State Laws. Landgraf. Greg. 8 December 2014. American Libraries Magazine. 8 August 2017.
    - News: Department of Agriculture cracks down on seed libraries. Creason. Naomi . The Sentinel. 8 August 2017.
    - News: Why are state governments shutting down community seed libraries?. Renner. Serena. 27 April 2015. Inhabit. 8 August 2017.
  25. Web site: The Shed: Garden Tool Lending Library. Arlington Public Library. 8 August 2017.
    - News: Borrow garden tools at the library. Lowe. Judy. 4 August 2008. Christian Science Monitor. 8 August 2017. 0882-7729.
    - Web site: Shrewsbury Public Library offers garden tools for checkout. 22 August 2015. Community Advocate. 8 August 2017.
  26. Web site: Growing Library Garden Programs . Web Junction . 9 August 2017.
  27. News: Library Farm . Waltos . Michelle . 28 November 2014. NOPL. 9 August 2017.
    - Web site: Tewksbury Public Library Community Garden . Tewksbury Library . 9 August 2017.
  28. Web site: About Home Tools . Ann Arbor District Library. 8 August 2017.
    - Web site: Power Check Energy Meter Program . Denver Public Library. 8 August 2017.
    - News: L.A. Public Library to loan energy usage monitors . Folven . Edwin . 2 July 2015. Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press. 8 August 2017.
  29. News: Beyond Books: Libraries Lend Fishing Poles, Pans And People. Blair. Elizabeth. 13 August 2013. NPR.org. 9 August 2017.
    - Web site: Fishing Rods, Reels and Tackle Available for Checkout . Ela Area Public Library. 9 August 2017.
  30. News: Mesa's public libraries offering books, DVDs – and croquet sets. Young. Jordan. 9 April 2014 . Cronkite News. 9 August 2017.
  31. Web site: Library of Things . City of Hillsboro. 9 August 2017.
  32. Web site: Library of Extraordinary Things: Celebrate . Elmhurst Public Library. 9 August 2017.
  33. News: Maker Movement. Figueroa. Miguel. 15 September 2014. ALA Center for the Future of Libraries. 9 August 2017.
  34. Web site: Library of Things . Cary Memorial Library, Lexington, Massachusetts . 9 August 2017.
    - Web site: Library of Things. Livingston Public Library. 9 August 2017.
  35. Web site: About Science Tools. Ann Arbor District Library. 9 August 2017.
    -Web site: Borrow a Telescope . Worcester Public Library . 9 August 2017.
  36. Web site: Tool Lending Library . Oakland Public Library . 9 August 2017.
    - Web site: Need A Tool? Libraries Lending More Than Books. Householder. Mike. 20 July 2013. CBS Detroit. 8 August 2017.
    - Web site: Ozarkansas Tool Library . Fayetteville Public Library . 8 August 2017.
  37. Web site: Tool Library. West Bloomington Revitalization Project. 9 August 2017.
  38. Web site: American Girl Dolls . Oak Park Public Library. 9 August 2017.
  39. Web site: Toy Libraries: A Place to Play. Cottrell. Megan. 3 December 2013. American Libraries Magazine. 9 August 2017.
  40. Web site: Welcome to the USA Toy Library Association. USA Toy Library Association . 9 August 2017.
  41. Web site: Community Ties. Walker. Jennifer. 1 September 2016. American Libraries Magazine. 9 August 2017.
  42. News: You Can Check Out Taxidermy at This Alaskan Library. Fawcett. Kirstin. 9 October 2015. Mental Floss. 9 August 2017.
    - News: Need a wolf fur? A puffin pelt? All you need is a library card and a visit to the ARLIS library. Caldwell. Suzanna. 6 October 2015. Alaska Dispatch News.
  43. Web site: Museum Pass. The Seattle Public Library. 9 August 2017.
    - Web site: BPL - Museum Pass Reservations. Boston Public Library. 9 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170812190224/http://www.bpl.org/general/circulation/museum_passes.php. 12 August 2017. dead.
  44. News: Mississippi libraries offer much more than books. Ward. Robbie. Daily Journal. 9 August 2017.
  45. Web site: Services. Palm Harbor Library. 26 October 2018.
  46. Web site: Library of Things. 2021-12-09. Acpl.lib.in.us. en-us.
  47. Web site: Library of Things . 17 March 2021 .
  48. Web site: Library of Things. 2021-12-09. Banfflibrary.ab.ca. en.
  49. Web site: About Egleston Square. Bpl.org. 22 June 2022.
  50. Web site: Bibliothek der Dinge. stabi-hb.de. 21 December 2022.
  51. Web site: Discover the Library of Things. 2021-12-09. Bridges Library System. en-US.
  52. Web site: What is This – Capital Area District Library . cadl.org.
  53. Web site: Library of Things . nicheacademy.com.
  54. Web site: Winthrop library offers new snowshoe loan program. Central Maine. 22 January 2016 . 30 December 2022.
  55. Web site: Fishing poles, snowshoes, a telescope — libraries are lending more than just books. Central Maine. 11 August 2019 . 30 December 2022.
  56. Web site: Library of Things, Kits, and Passes . 2024-01-18 . CEF Library System . en-US.
  57. Web site: cmladmin. Library of Things. 2021-12-09. Curtis Memorial Library. en-US.
  58. Web site: Library of Things – Deerfield Public Library . deerfieldlibrary.org . 2 September 2022 .
  59. Web site: Library of Extraordinary Things. elmhurstpubliclibrary.org.
  60. Web site: Washougal Seed Lending Library | FVRLibraries. Fvrl.org .
  61. Web site: Library of Things – Glencoe Public Library . glencoelibrary.org .
  62. Web site: Library of Things . glenviewpl.org .
  63. Web site: Library of Things – Highland Park Public Library . hplibrary.org .
  64. Web site: Library of Things Jackson County Library Services . jcls.org.
  65. Web site: Library of Things . 2023-10-05 . Jefferson Parish Library . en.
  66. Web site: Library of Things . keenenh.gov .
  67. Web site: Bueckert . Kate . Kitchener Public Library unveils new instrument lending library . CBC News.
  68. Web site: Library of Things – La Grange Park Public Library . lplibrary.org.
  69. Web site: Borrow from Special Collections including Tech & Accessibility . lakeforestlibrary.org .
  70. Web site: Library of Things Lincolnwood Public Library. 2021-12-09. Lincolnwoodlibrary.org.
  71. Web site: Library of Things . mapld.org.
  72. Web site: Technology Equipment – Niles-Maine District Library . nileslibrary.org.
  73. Web site: STEAM @ the Library – Pasadena Public Library. Cityofpasadena.net.
  74. Web site: Library of Things Pasco County Libraries . 2023-10-26 . pascolibraries.org.
  75. Web site: Library of Things | Richland Library . Richlandlibrary.com.
  76. Web site: Robbins Library . Robbinslibrary.org.
  77. Web site: Pumpkin Seed Library. Gooddaysacramento.cbslocal.com .
  78. Web site: Stucki . Tavin . Library of Things The County Library . 2024-01-18 . Salt Lake County Library . en.
  79. Web site: Devices & gadgets . skokielibrary.info .
  80. Web site: Library of Things . Somervillepubliclibrary.org.
  81. Web site: Borrow Equipment & Devices . scpld.org.
  82. Web site: Library of Things Urbana Free Library . 2023-11-06 . urbanafreelibrary.org.
  83. Web site: Gegenstände des Alltags und digitale Dinge leihen.
  84. Web site: Hill . Katherine . 2021-04-22 . Park passes available to borrow at Kitchener, Waterloo public libraries . 2022-08-24 . Kitchener . en.
  85. Web site: Library of Things Watertown Library, MA . 2022-08-29 . watertownlib.org.
  86. Web site: Library of Things – West Chicago Public Library District . wcpld.info .
  87. Web site: Library of Things . wilmettelibrary.info .
  88. Web site: Library of Things . winnetkalibrary.org .
  89. Web site: Belfast Tool Library. 2021-12-09. Belfast Tool Library. en-US.
  90. Web site: HOME. 2021-12-09. Benthyg.org. en.
  91. Web site: Home. 2021-12-09. Borrow Don't Buy Plymouth. en-GB.
  92. Web site: Brunswick Tool Library. Brunswick Tool Library. 22 June 2022.
  93. Web site: Edmonton Tool Library . 2021-11-10 . 2021-08-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210819211545/http://www.edmontontoollibrary.ca/ . dead .
  94. Web site: Edinburgh Tool Library – Edinburgh Tool Library. 2021-12-09. edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk. en-US.
  95. Web site: 2020-03-10. Glasgow Tool Library . Glasgowtoollibrary.com. 2021-12-09. en-GB.
  96. Web site: | Halifax Tool Library & Workshop. Halifaxtoollibrary.ca. 9 December 2013. 22 June 2022.
  97. Web site: Home :: Library of Stuff CIC. 2021-12-09. Libraryofstuff.co.uk.
  98. Web site: Library of Things YXE. Libraryofthingsyxe.myturn.com.
  99. Web site: KW Library of Things – A space for sharing items ranging from tools to camping and kitchen equipment.. Kwlot.ca. 22 June 2022.
  100. Web site: NE Seattle Tool Library. Neseattle.myturn.com. 22 June 2022.
  101. Web site: NE Seattle Tool Library. www.phinneycenter.org. 31 May 2023 . 9 September 2023.
  102. Web site: Home. Borrowtools.org. 22 June 2022.
  103. Web site: Canada's First 'Library of Things' Opens in Toronto. Treehugger.com.
  104. Web site: The Tool Library – We provide communities the tools they need to create the change they want . 2021-11-10 . 2021-11-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211110142934/https://www.thetoollibrary.org/ . dead .
  105. Web site: Home – Toronto Tool Library. Torontotoollibrary.com. 22 June 2022.
  106. Web site: The Vancouver Tool Library Cooperative. Vancouver.myturn.com.
  107. Web site: West Philly Tool Library. West Philly Tool Library. 22 June 2022.
  108. Web site: West Seattle Tool Library. Wstl.myturn.com .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Library of things".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.