Your local library may lend more than books. Libraries around the country offer free access to tools, hobby gear and other items that can be costly to buy but useful only now and then.
These collections are often called a “Library of Things.” What is available, and how long you can borrow it, depends on the library and its rules.
What Can You Borrow From a Library?
Libraries offer a wide range of items. For example, the Robinson Township Library in Pennsylvania has an American Girl collection; the Berkeley Public Library in California lends tools; and the Richland Library in South Carolina offers ghost-hunting kits. The Westerville Public Library in Ohio lends framed artwork.
At the Wright Public Library in Oakwood, Ohio, borrowers can choose from 243 unique “Library of Things” items, including a unicycle and Wi-Fi hotspots. The library’s collection saw a 10% increase in use over the past year, director Kristi Hale said. Museum passes are popular, too.
American Library Association President Maria McCauley said such collections can give families access to items that may be too expensive to buy for occasional use.
Borrowing Can Help Avoid One-Time Purchases
Asya Welz, of Dayton, Ohio, borrows books, audiobooks and other items from several nearby libraries. She recently checked out a pressure washer to clean her driveway and a steam cleaner to deep-clean appliances after her home flooded.
Welz said borrowing the steam cleaner saved her from buying a machine she did not expect to use regularly. Her library keeps a running tally on her receipts, and she estimates she has saved $12,000 in two years.
She has also borrowed a pottery wheel, which came with clay and paint, and made a jar with her family. Her library has a unicycle, while practical items such as Wi-Fi hotspots are popular with other patrons.
Small Items Can Add Up to Savings, Too
Madison Koehler, of Eugene, Oregon, and her husband live on one income. She discovered that her library lent items she would not have expected, including a scone pan and a large tub of Magna-Tiles for her daughter.
Koehler said a scone pan can cost about $40, while Magna-Tiles can cost $100. Borrowing let her try the items without buying them, and she could renew the pan for another loan period.
Check your library’s website or ask a librarian about its collection, loan periods, renewal rules and any limits on who can borrow. Offerings vary by location, but borrowing an item you need only occasionally may help you avoid paying for something you will rarely use.
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