Library of Things

Program Outlines

Library of Things Description and Procedures (Boston Free Library)

Library of Things and Idea Lab Brochure (Ignacio Community Library)

Collections

Bird Watching Bag (West Hempstead Public Library)

Library of Things (Boston Free Library)

Nintendo 3DS XL Gaming Kit (Chester Public Library)

Unusual Items to Borrow (Wilkinson Public Library)

Augmentative/Alternative Communication iPads (Oak Park Public Library)

Literacy Kits (West Hempstead Public Library)

Birth to Kindergarten

First to Third Grade

Fourth to Sixth Grade

Seventh to Twelfth Grade

Guides and Resources

• Have Things, Will Program: Programming around Your Sports 'Library of Things' (Lenstra, Noah. Programming Librarian. 24 August 2019.)
• Library of Things: The What, Why, and How of Lending Objects (Souid, Dania & Lindsay Delaney. WebJunction. 19 October 2022. Webinar.)
• These Public Libraries Are for Snowshoes and Ukuleles (Brown, Patricia Leigh. New York Times. 14 September 2015.)

Partnerships

Outside Partnerships

Outside organizations may be available to help with funding for collections.

• Local politicians
• County library systems
• Library foundation or Friends of the Library group

Promotion/Marketing

In-House Promotion

We have a Library of Things (LoT), we store all the items in a locked cabinet by our circulation desk. The cabinet has big glass doors to see all the items inside. We've also posted a huge sign on the side of the cabinet that provides a brief overview of all the items inside the cabinet. - Dania Souid, Baldwinsville Public Library

Promotional Materials

Idea Studio Menu (International Falls Public Library)

Policies

We have a standard loan agreement for the expensive items in our LoT. However, we have begun to shift away from the agreement and depend simply on our library policy patrons agree to when signing up for a card. For almost all the items in our LoT, we have a tag that has the item name on one side and the other side has a specific cost breakdown for pieces/parts. Currently, patrons only sign a a loan agreement before checking our our Chromebooks. - Dania Souid, Baldwinsville Public Library

Library of Things Policy (Boston Free Library)

Library of Things Use Policy (Chester Public Library)

User Agreements

Library of Things Agreement (Ignacio Community Library)

Library of Things Waiver and Indemnification Form (Ignacio Community Library)

Staff Documents

Literacy Kit Instructions (West Hempstead Public Library)

Library of Things Checkout List (International Falls Public Library)

Reservation Instructions (International Falls Public Library)