Nontraditional items you can borrow from the library

Library Love

75 surprising things you can borrow from the library

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Imagine this: You’re elbow deep in a home renovation project. You’re ready to move on to the next step—but wait. This flimsy sandpaper isn’t fooling anyone. You need an orbital sander. You could go to the hardware store and shell out another $100 (ugh, DIY adds up). You could order it online with next day shipping (another day goes by). Or, you can zip down to your local public library and borrow one for free.*

Libraries loaning out “stuff” isn’t new. We all know about books, but did you know they have so much more? Many libraries have a “Library of Things” to help people pursue their interests, start a new hobby, improve health, tackle a home project, or just have fun. These collections of nontraditional resources—everything from pickleball to pasta makers—are shared among the community and often come as a surprise for those who aren’t aware of everything the library offers.

Library of Things

Even if yours doesn’t have an orbital sander for loan, chances are, there’s lots of practical stuff at the library you can check out that goes beyond the books.

So we asked readers on social media: What’s the most unique thing you’ve ever borrowed from the library? Responses came rolling in, and we have to admit—some of these are pretty surprising!

Check out the list below for some crazy, convenient, and cool things you just might find at your local branch. And if you haven’t visited in awhile, Check Out Your Library and discover all the amazing things that await—it’s more than you might think!


1. Jigsaw puzzle exchange

2. Halloween costumes

3. Cake pans

4. Scratch-n-sniff bookmarks

5. Picnic blanket for reading in the park

6. Fishing poles

7. Telescope

8. Prom dresses

9. Hygiene kit/sanitary supplies

10. Wire cutters

11. Drills

12. Saws

13. Power washer

14. Orbital sander

15. Tile cutter

16. Air quality monitor

17. Museum passes

18. Zoo passes

19. Aquarium passes

20. Sewing patterns

21. Spinning wheel (knitting)

22. Bicycle

23. Electric bubble making machine

24. Fit bit

25. eBike

26. Pickleball kit

27. CPR kit

28. Engravers

29. Sewing machine

30. Yard games

31. WiFi router

32. Knife sharpener

33. Nordic Walking Poles

34. Overhead projector

35. Waffle maker

36. Ukulele

37. Ghost hunting kit

38. Fishing poles

39. State parks parking pass

40. Board games

41. Tandem bicycle

42. Pasta maker

43. Spices

44. Braille board

45. CO2 detector

46. Button accordion

47. Reading pen

48. Video games

49. Compass

50. Theater tickets

51. Cricut machine

52. VR headset

53. Portable radio

54. Cornhole boards

55. Guitar

56. Game Boy

57. Magnifying glass

58. Backpack

59. American Girl doll

60. Snowshoes

61. Button maker

62. Rubber stamps

63. Sheet music

64. Plants

65. Microscope

66. Metal detector

67. Tackle box

68. Paintings

69. A light therapy box for seasonal depressive disorder

70. Tablet

71. Interactive model of the Titanic

72. Cupcake tower

73. Tonies box

74. Craft supplies

75. Children’s toys for all ages


*Every library’s offerings are different. Check out your library to learn about what’s available to you!

There’s so much to discover at the library. Even if you can’t make it in to your local branch, don’t forget to check out all of their online resources like ebooks and audiobooks on the Libby app and streaming video on Kanopy.

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RELATED READ: 9 free perks you can get at the library this summer

Published Jul 25, 2024

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About the Author

Annie Suhy has been working in the book industry since 2006. When she’s not working, practicing yoga, or petting cats, she’s doing paint-by-numbers and buying more plants. An avid poetry fan, her favorite collection is "The Splinter Factory" by Jeffrey McDaniel.

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