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)
Test Drive a Tablet (Berwyn Public Library)
Literacy Kits (West Hempstead Public Library)
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)
Video: The Ann Arbor District Library is the Best Deal in Town! (Ann Arbor District 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)