Public libraries have long been a place to check out a good book or find a quiet spot to study. But today, many libraries are doing much more than lending reading material. From power drills to pasta makers, camping kits to musical instruments, a growing number of libraries now let you borrow all kinds of everyday items without fees. All you need is a library card — and a little curiosity about what your local branch has to offer.
What Is a Library of Things?
The term "Library of Things" has become a catchall phrase used to describe collections of non-traditional items that go well beyond the typical books, magazines, and movies that most people expect to find at a public library. It describes the growing practice of libraries lending out physical objects — everything from kitchen gadgets and power tools to telescopes and sewing machines — as part of their regular services (source).
Libraries have always been about connecting people with resources they might not otherwise have. The Library of Things expands that idea into the physical world. Whether you need a tool for a weekend home improvement project, a kitchen appliance for a special occasion, or outdoor gear for a first camping trip, your public library may already have it on the shelf. An LOT may lend out anything from bakeware to technology and game boxes, making it a genuinely useful resource for everyday needs (source).
Home Tools and Kitchen Gadgets Worth Borrowing
One of the most practical categories in any Library of Things collection is home improvement tools. The Des Moines Public Library in Iowa, for example, stocks a variety of tools including a cordless drill, a laser level, a stud finder, and extension cords (source). Patrons at that library can borrow one item at a time for a loan period of up to three weeks, giving plenty of time to finish a project (source).
Kitchen equipment is equally popular. Libraries in various parts of the country have made it possible to borrow appliances like air fryers, bread machines, and Instant Pots, as well as specialty items like cake pans and cake decorating sets (source). For someone who wants to try a new cooking method before committing to a purchase, borrowing it first is a smart approach. Some collections go even further, offering items like pasta makers, food dehydrators, and seasonal bakeware — the kinds of things that rarely see use more than a few times a year but take up a lot of storage space (source).
Musical Instruments and Creative Supplies
Libraries have also become an unexpected home for people interested in exploring music. The Ann Arbor District Library in Michigan, for instance, allows patrons to borrow a range of musical instruments, including guitars, ukuleles, and an alto saxophone (source). For a beginner who wants to try out an instrument before deciding whether to commit to lessons or a purchase, this kind of access is a genuine game-changer.
Creative hobbies beyond music are also well represented in many Library of Things collections. Sewing machines, knitting supplies, and specialty crafting kits have become regular offerings at libraries around the country (source). These resources give curious people a low-pressure way to try something new without needing to invest in a full set of supplies upfront. For those exploring a hobby for the first time, the ability to borrow before buying can make all the difference.
Get Outside: Camping and Outdoor Gear
For anyone who wants to spend more time outdoors but doesn't have the equipment, some libraries have found a creative way to help. The Massanutten Regional Library in Harrisonburg, Virginia formed a partnership with the Community Gear Library to give cardholders access to a wide range of outdoor gear directly through the library system (source). Patrons can check out tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cookstoves, headlamps, hiking poles, backpacks, and child carriers — all with their regular library card (source).
The Family Camping Kits that came out of this partnership are especially well suited for families trying camping for the first time. Each kit is designed to outfit four people for a full weekend of car camping, with a complete cooking set that includes pots, pans, plates, cups, and silverware included (source). The collection has grown to a size that can equip more than 25 people at one time, and new patrons simply need to attend a brief orientation session and sign a waiver to get started (source). It is the kind of program that removes most of the barriers between a family and their first time sleeping under the stars.
Borrowing Is Good for Your Wallet and the Planet
Choosing to borrow rather than buy is not just a practical money-saving habit — it also supports a more sustainable way of living. When a single item gets borrowed and used by many people over time rather than sitting unused in a closet after a single project, fewer new products need to be made and fewer end up as waste (source). Libraries of Things connect naturally with the broader idea of the sharing economy, where getting access to something matters more than owning it outright (source).
Public libraries make these shared resources available to everyone in a community, not just those who can afford to buy. A single power tool, camping kit, or kitchen appliance that lives at the library has the potential to serve hundreds of households over its lifetime. That kind of shared access supports both financial savings for individuals and a lighter environmental footprint for the community as a whole (source).
Your Library Card Is More Powerful Than You Think
Library of Things programs continue to grow, and collections vary from one library system to the next. The best way to discover what is available near you is to visit your library's website, follow their social media pages, or simply walk in and ask at the reference desk (source). Many libraries highlight new additions on social media or through their newsletters, so staying connected can help you catch something useful right when you need it.
If your local library does not yet have a Library of Things, it may only be a matter of time. As more communities recognize the value of shared access to everyday tools and equipment, libraries across the country are finding new ways to serve their neighbors — proving that a library card is still one of the most quietly powerful things you can carry.