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Your public library just might be one of the most underused resources in your community.
That’s because libraries are more than just repositories for books and other media. Libraries in municipalities both large and small are filled with treasures just waiting to be collected or lent out.
Here are examples of some of the unusual items you might find:
Bakeware. There’s no need to invest in fancy-shaped cake pans that you’ll use once.
If you need to bake a Power Ranger cake or one in the shape of Cinderella’s princess carriage, chances are they might be on a shelf in a storage closet of your library, along with other kitchenware.
Equipment. Depending on the geography in your area, you might find anything from fishing poles to hiking gear to snowshoes, sleds, tennis rackets, and other sports apparatus.
Humans. Having a “living library” has been gaining in popularity since the idea was introduced in Denmark in 2000.
Nurses, social workers, and knowledgeable people from various fields offer their time and expertise to educate patrons, during operating hours, in the library.
Museum passes. Public libraries in Chicago let patrons check out passes that allow for free entry to various museums throughout the city.
Musical instruments. If your library has a well-stocked music and arts department, you might be able to borrow a banjo, bongos, dulcimer, kalmia, or mandolin.
Local residents can check out all these instruments and others at Forbes Library in Massachusetts.
Tools. Libraries in Oakland, California, lend out drills, tape measures, saws, and many other items for quick projects. They also take donations of unwanted tools that are in good shape.
Toys. Board games, building blocks, and even dolls are waiting to be borrowed and shared.
Seeds. Seed libraries are growing in popularity in communities with active gardeners.
Libraries offer the seeds free of charge to patrons, who in turn donate seeds at the end of the season from the plants they’ve cultivated.