When our Library of Things collection made its debut last September, Nicole Brown and her family were ready for it.
On previous visits to the Main Library, they’d seen staff assembling the wall in the lobby (pictured above) that showcases items in the collection. Things like an electric drill, a pair of tennis rackets, a GoPro action camera, and a projector for outdoor movie watching.
Their fall block party was coming up, so Brown placed a hold on the movie projector, along with a ring toss set. “My kids were really excited,” she says.
‘A popular & well-used resource’
The 75 “things” in the collection are largely items you might not use regularly or want to own, or you might want to try them out first. Popular items include Chromebooks and hotspots, a sewing machine, a label maker, and lawn darts.
The collection, which has now been circulating for more than a year, was fully funded by a generous gift to the library from former head librarian Barbara Ballinger.
“We are thrilled with how the community has embraced the Library of Things collection,” says Manager of Collections Services Barbara Fitzgerald. “Since its debut, it has become a popular and well-used resource. Patrons have responded enthusiastically, checking out a wide variety of items for personal projects, events, and trips.”
‘We’ve made good use of the things’
At their block party last fall, Brown says it was easy to set up the projector to show a movie on the side of their garage for the neighbor kids in the evening.
Since then, Brown has checked out a disco ball party light, which her kids and their friends had fun playing with for a few weeks.
And in July, the family borrowed a pair of adjustable hiking poles for a trip out West to eight national parks.
As she says, “We’ve made good use of the things.”
‘Something for everyone’
Oak Park cardholders ages 18+ can place holds in person or online and can borrow an item for up to three weeks.
All checkouts and returns happen at the Main Library Lobby service desk, and borrowers must sign a lending agreement.
“From Chromebooks to movie projectors, the collection offers something for everyone, and it’s wonderful to see how it has enhanced the lives of our cardholders,” Fitzgerald says. “We look forward to continuing to grow and evolve this unique collection.”
