Librarian Pam Stevens displays a moisture meter that can be used for finding leaks or inspecting drywall. The item is one of many in the Newark Free Library’s new Library of Things.
The Newark Free Library unveiled its Library of Things on July 29.
The Newark Free Library unveiled its Library of Things on July 29.
Librarian Pam Stevens displays a flexible endoscope camera that can be used to inspecting drains or doing car repairs. The item is one of many in the Newark Free Library’s new Library of Things.
County Executive Matt Meyer speaks at the unveiling of the Library of Things.
Judy Taggart, president of the Friends of the Newark Free Library, speaks at the unveiling of the Library of Things.
The Newark Free Library unveiled its Library of Things on July 29.
The Newark Free Library unveiled its Library of Things on July 29.
The Newark Free Library unveiled its Library of Things on July 29.
Officials celebrate the opening of the Newark Free Library’s Library of Things.
Librarian Pam Stevens displays a moisture meter that can be used for finding leaks or inspecting drywall. The item is one of many in the Newark Free Library’s new Library of Things.
The Newark Free Library unveiled its Library of Things on July 29.
The Newark Free Library unveiled its Library of Things on July 29.
Librarian Pam Stevens displays a flexible endoscope camera that can be used to inspecting drains or doing car repairs. The item is one of many in the Newark Free Library’s new Library of Things.
County Executive Matt Meyer speaks at the unveiling of the Library of Things.
Judy Taggart, president of the Friends of the Newark Free Library, speaks at the unveiling of the Library of Things.
The Newark Free Library unveiled its Library of Things on July 29.
The Newark Free Library unveiled its Library of Things on July 29.
The Newark Free Library unveiled its Library of Things on July 29.
Officials celebrate the opening of the Newark Free Library’s Library of Things.
Working on a home improvement project and need a stud finder or staple gun? Looking for a projector, tripod or action camera for a school or work project? Want to try out a new board game, learn to play the ukulele or convert photo negatives to digital?
All those items and more are now available to borrow from the Newark Free Library as part of the new Library of Things initiative.
“This collection demonstrates one of the many ways libraries of the 21st century are continuing to meet the needs of our community,” said Pam Stevens, the librarian who spearheaded the project.
The Library of Things includes three dozen items, ranging from binoculars and a laser tape measure to a portable record player and a microphone for podcasting.
Borrowing works the same way as with books, DVDs, CDs and other more traditional library materials. Patrons can check out items for three weeks at a time. Though the items are based in Newark, they can be reserved and picked up at any library.
Stevens said the Library of Things concept is becoming popular around the country. Locally, both the Route 9 Library and the Appoquinimink Library offer a similar service.
Earlier this year, all New Castle County libraries began lending out Chromebook laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots. The Library of Things is a natural extension of that effort, County Executive Matt Meyer said.
“We’re hoping to redefine what libraries mean to our community,” Meyer said.
The initiative was funded by a $2,500 grant from Councilwoman Lisa Diller to the Friends of the Newark Free Library. The county provides each council member a discretionary fund from which to give grants to community organizations.
“The Friends of the Newark Free Library are once again proving that libraries are truly community resources. Libraries are books and so much more as you can see with the innovative Library of Things,” Diller said. “Thanks to the Newark Library Friends group and the library staff for being willing to experiment with this great project.”
Former library director Pat Birchenall, who retired earlier this year, first suggested bringing the initiative to Newark, according to Judy Taggart, president of the Friends of the Newark Free Library.
Sherri McCarthy, interim library director, noted that many of the items chosen for Library of Things – such as an electric outlet tester and a flexible endoscope camera for inspecting drains – are things people might need once or twice for a specific project but not often enough for it to make sense for them to purchase it.
The program also lets people try out items before buying and is also a lifeline for people who can’t afford certain items, McCarthy said. Other items, such as board games and the record player, are just fun.
“Now that the library has reopened, this offers people another reason to come back in,” McCarthy said, referring to the library’s yearlong closure due to the pandemic.
The Library of Things was officially unveiled during a brief ceremony July 29, but some items have been available to check out for the past few weeks.
“We’ve had patrons come in and say they are renovating their house and need household tools and are not able to purchase them,” Stevens said. “It’s very helpful to be able to check it out from the library.”
So far, she said, board games seem to be the most popular items. The library will add more items in the future, she added.
Patrons can view a catalog of available items at the library. To view it online, visit dlc.lib.de.us and search for “Library of Things.”
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