Northlake Public Library has introduced a new collection called the “Library of Things,” allowing patrons to check out a range of household objects.
It provides library-goers access to a wide spectrum of items — from record players and sewing machines, to instruments and baking material — without the pressure of owning infrequently used objects.
The collection’s opening took place at the beginning of November. Laura Bartnik, the library’s assistant director and head of adult services, said the items are divided into several categories, such as “crafting” and “DIY equipment.”
“We have a few tools and a pretty big kitchen gadget collection, and that’s been the most popular,” Bartnik said. “Things like an ice cream maker, chocolate fountain and canning set.”
She noted that several of the appliances offered are items most people would only use a few times per year.
“Our tagline is borrow, don’t buy, and let the library store it for you.” Bartnik said. “Maybe you want to try out a sewing project or embroidery. It’s not like you’re going to go out and buy an embroidery machine. You can just take one out from the library for a week, do your project, and then return it.”
Although the Library of Things is a new feature for Northlake Library, that library wasn’t the first to implement this item-borrowing system. The Sacramento Public Library and Elmhurst Public Library have had their collections for years. Since Northlake had already circulated traditional electronics, officials decided to continue expanding.
“[The Library of Things] has kind of been a buzz in library land for the past couple of years,” Bartnik said. “We decided this was the perfect time to add onto what we already do, and make it a full blown Library of Things.”
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Elmhurst’s collection has been in use since the autumn of 2015, and is called the “Library of Extraordinary Things.” Both libraries manage their collection similarly to their book-loaning system: patrons check out items with their library card, and they are able to renew them if the item isn’t on hold.
A few members of Northlake’s staff visited Elmhurst’s library to draw inspiration. Cher Moore, the Elmhurst library’s public information coordinator, provided a tour and discussed how the collection worked.
Similar to Northlake’s system, Elmhurst picks items based on community need.
“We take a look at what our patrons are asking for, what they use, where their interests lie,” Moore said. “We want to provide materials that our patrons want to check out or would be interested in.”
She said the Elmhurst library staff members are encouraged to engage with the items they have, checking them out and using them on their own.
“I think that’s the biggest thing, is the staff being excited and getting to have first dibs to try the stuff when it comes in,” Moore said. “It’s been really fun.”
For other libraries that want to open a collection of “things” themselves, Moore says keeping it organized is one of the most important tips she could provide. She also recommended marketing the collection alongside other library materials.
“We advertise near our cookbooks that you can check out cake pans and kitchen equipment,” she said. “And we have a maker space in the basement that shows you can check out a knitting machine or crochet needles.”
One perk is that patrons from other libraries can place holds on the items at Northlake and receive them via interlibrary loan delivery.
“Some of these items, patrons can pick up at their home library, just like a book,” Bartnik said. “As long as there aren’t a lot of parts or it isn’t something fragile, we’ll send it.”
She said the Northlake library hopes to purchase a telescope to add to the collection next, recommended by a patron.
“We take a look at what our patrons are asking for, what they’re interested in,” Bartnik said. “We have a form on our website where they can suggest a purchase, and we get people suggesting stuff all the time, and more often than not, we do add it.”
For a full list of objects in Northlake’s Library of Things, visit www.northlakelibrary.org/library-of-things-2.
Gianna Annunzio is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.