This article got me thinking about it: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/radon-testing-libraries-9.6937952
A lot of items could work, but is there something you think we should prioritize first?
Beyond books, tools that are a store of knowledge that are only used infrequently. For places dependent on cars, that would include an auto engine code reader. For areas with wood frame construction, a stud finder.
Things that are pricey or large to store, and infrequently used.
Things you would want to try out before investing.- Wireless hotspots
- Portable power stations
- Home tools and measuring equipment like a sound meter, non-contact thermometer, thermal camera, kill-a-watt, post pounder, endoscope
- Yard games like yardzee or jumbo jenga
- Musical instruments like hand drums, steel drum, electric keyboard, theramin, bagpipe chanter, thumb piano, ukulele -If you don’t already count them as media: Video/board games and consoles.
- Craft equipment like Sewing machines, a rigid heddle loom, cricut
Source: Spouse works at a library gearing up their library of things
One of the libraries in my area carries all of that, tho stuff like the cricut and 3d printer requires you to go to some class, but I haven’t because they only offer them during business hours.
Home endoscopy sounds …challenging.
I’d like to be able to borrow one of those tools that rolls the cord into the grooves to hold window screening. Because mine’s coming loose, and I’m unlikely to need it again for another several years.
It’s meant for looking in tight spaces, not bodies.
I’ve read about an instrument library that was mostly stocked with donated instruments
Telescopes would be fun. Everyone doesn’t need their own, if you can sign it out on a clear night and return it in good shape.
Our university Astronomy club started a program like that, it’s great! Community members donated their old scopes and now people can borrow them.
Our home school group (health issues and not other things …) has one and a set of microscopes
Of cause every time we get them out I spend an hour or 3 fixing all the little issues
Tools.
Some libraries do have tools! It’s the best!
These exist! Sometimes with a small fee but not as expensive as renting
I think it makes sense to pay a deposit and get it back when you return the item. It would make the library more comfortable to lend out quality items. The hard part is knowing what to look for when it’s returned.
Specifically 10mm sockets.
Most auto parts stores have a really nice selection of tools that they will loan out to anyone.
I lived in a city for a while that had a small number of loanable tickets to a family-friendly local attraction or two (e.g. zoo or aquarium) people could check out for the day. Especially popular with families with kids on a budget!
Just gonna chime in to say check with your local libraries to see what they do have available, and also check with surrounding libraries,
My local library is a small branch of a countywide network of libraries, so I can go check things out from any library in the county.
I was a little surprised to learn that my local branch has mobile wifi hotspots available. They’re nice for families that are struggling to pay for Internet service so their kids can do schoolwork, I’m also thinking about checking one out for road trips and such.
A bigger branch has a pretty impressive library of things available- tools, cookware, board games, small appliances, AV equipment, etc.
One thing I’d really like is vehicles, although I’m sure it would be an absolute liability/insurance nightmare, not to mention the upfront and ongoing costs and such, so I totally I totally understand why it’s not a thing.
I’m lucky that I’ve always been able to borrow a car from my parents when I needed one because mine was in the shop or whatever. Not everyone is so fortunate though, and unless we step up our public transit game, a lot of people need cars to get into work and run errands and such. A small fleet of basic sedans or something that you could check out for a day or two when needed without paying out the ass for a rental would be amazing.
And almost everyone needs to move something big or transport a few people once in a while, so a pickup truck or passenger van in the fleet might be kind of nice.
Even if it’s not totally free, they could be rented out at-cost and not have to turn a profit like regular car rentals.
One thing I’d really like is vehicles, although I’m sure it would be an absolute liability/insurance nightmare, not to mention the upfront and ongoing costs and such, so I totally I totally understand why it’s not a thing.
Our regional (gov-esque) insurance corporation (insure your car) also operates a car-booking service called Evo. You pay like $10/mo for the opportunity to sign out a car from street parking, and off you go. Park it anywhere again where it’s legal, and even in some places where parking isn’t typically allowed. If you don’t want to drop and relinquish it, you can choose to keep it for longer, but the clock keeps running while it’s sitting under your control.
Drive it home and drop it somewhere allowed. An army of gig people fill the tank overnight. If it’s messy or dented, you don’t take it and you report it and the last guy pays a bundle. If you take a busted car and the next guy rats on you, you’re still paying even though you didn’t do it.
It’s a pretty tight system.
Mainly Priuses, but they have some family-vans and the odd truck, I think. Maybe it’s a competitor. Grab a van, pick up your IKEA, drop it at home, ditch and relinquish the van.
So easy.
Workshop tools - can be easily reused and shared, but have an upfront cost that not everyone can easily afford (measures may have to be taken to avoid theft though.)
i <3 tool libraries, but they really do need dedicated space, storage, and maintenance - our local is run out of a shared space garage. a couple things: tools are going to get dirty when used, dirt on shovels, even electric only mowers; meanwhile, some stuff gets gross - drain snakes being a great example. some people treat everything like trash and don’t clean or maintain it, even when borrowing it from a library.
so love both book libraries and tool libraries, would not recommend trying to mix the two into the same loc.
Books?
Paintings (and other display art)! Extra points if you can get them locally sourced. Let the interior decorator in you change the paintings every few months, and cycle these things around.
Hiking/climbing/skating equipment, as fits local environment.
Bike and motor repair tools.
Reusable pest traps (best if they are catch+release).
(also household tools, but wise lemmings already mentioned that.)
I feel like hiking and climbing equipment wouldn’t work well. At least where I live, tents, backpacks, etc would almost certainly be booked out by the homeless population indefinitely. That the homeless need camping equipment is a whole other discussion to have… but I don’t think most libraries would be equipped for the demand they would recieve.
I would not want to check out publicly owned rock climbing equipment. That sounds sketchy af. And I am a rock climber who knows how to inspect their equipment.
Art and craft supplies, which I guess technically falls under ‘tools’ the the first post on here suggests.
Although obviously paper, plaster, cement (for tile mosaics and the like) and air-dry clay or Model Magic are single-use items and things like markers, pencils, crayons, oil pastels, chalk, paints, glue, etc. are all consumable items and will be used up over time and need to be replenished, but still.
Also, some way to mitigate any inevitable messes from using this type of thing on-premises will need to be hatched out as art and crafts are varying levels of a messy endeavor to get into, especially once the glitter or chalk/charcoal or plaster comes out or once you get into things like paper mache and such, or even when the clay comes out especially once pottery wheels are involved, or when you get into things like making slime.
Ooh, maybe even host a community sidewalk art or tile mosaic stepping stone day, that would be awesome.
I just learned that my local library network has craft supply swap days! Anyone can bring craft supplies or tools they no longer need and/or walk out with supplies and tools that someone else brought to give away. It’s only once every few months, but that cadence apparently works well for this area (smallish city).
anything and everything. OK, maybe no used underwear though /j
Dildos and poop knives.
