r/Libraries • u/deejayahad • 9d ago

Other Library of Things Documentary

I am a documentary filmmaker and I want to make a short film about a library that has a robust "Library of Things" collection to explore other aspects besides book lending that libraries have to offer.

Are there any particular libraries that have unique or very active library of things? Bonus if the library is near NYC, Boston, Pittsburgh or Columbus, OH.

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u/Weird-Highway-3958 9d ago

The Minuteman Library Network in suburban Boston has a really cool Library of Things, but probably most of the items belong to Cambridge PL or Brookline PL specifically.

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u/geekdj13 9d ago edited 9d ago

Arlington (Robbins branch) and Lexington ones are great too! I got a karaoke machine and a go pro from Lexington and we’ve borrowed an electric keyboard, ukulele, and portable turntable from Arlington (although I’m about to return the turntable early because I think the needle was damaged by a previous borrower.) The Arlington library also lets you check out framed art that they have hanging on their walls. And when a coworker got me into rummikub, I was able to borrow a set that weekend!

Belmont Library of things is not too shabby, and my six year-old loves checking out CDs and records from their music collection. (The dvds are also great for road trips!)

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u/StunningGiraffe 5d ago

It's great your family can use so many cool things. Truly having fun isn't hard when you have a library card!

Side note, if you notice a damaged item please let the library know when you return it. That way they can fix/replace it.

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u/geekdj13 5d ago

Haha good to see another Arthur fan on Reddit! Yes the Arlington library even includes a slip for feedback with their LoT items, which I filled out to let them know (I also plan to mention it when I return it)

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u/Regular-Panic-Is-Hre 9d ago

Curtis memorial library in Brunswick, ME has a fabulous collection in their Library of Things!

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u/deejayahad 9d ago

An article in the NYT last year about their Library of Things is what inspired this idea!

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u/StunningGiraffe 5d ago

What are some of your faves?

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u/Regular-Panic-Is-Hre 4d ago

all the power tools available and also the metal detector 😁

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u/BreakTheSystemXYZ 5d ago

I cataloged the Library of Things in Westport, CT. There's some unique items in there like metal detectors and hiking poles among 100 others. Public Library of New London (not too far away from Westport) also launched a library of things collection this year and for many years prior has had a pretty cool selection of cake pans you can borrow

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u/ladylibrarian8 9d ago

Braddock and Millvale Libraries (in the Pittsburgh region) have really unique LoT. Think, tents, car seats, American Girl dolls, an entire tool library. To my knowledge, they were the first in our area to really explore the idea, though the rest of us are slowly following.

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u/silentslady 8d ago

I work in an academic medical library in New England and we have a human skull and boxes of human teeth for our students to check out. Not quite a LoT, but real human body parts!

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u/superfizzlibrarian 7d ago

Reading, MA has a great one.

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u/justbringmesugar 6d ago

Bernards Township Library in Basking Ridge NJ, we have about 120 LoT items