Library of Things Collection: Study of a public library tool lending collection

Lamb, Amanda

Söderholm, J. (2015). Borrowing tools from the public library. Journal of Documentation. 72(1), 140-155.

Many library collections are moving beyond traditional constraints. Library of Things collections, especially, are breaking new ground with circulating seeds, musical instruments, games, crafting kits, and tools. But why do patrons borrow “things?” This study explores this research question as applied to borrowing tools. The results? In addition to borrowing tools to enhance community and for paid work, patrons also wanted to learn and acquire skills through a public service. Public libraries can (and do!) pair unique Library of Things offerings with instructional opportunities. Patrons expressed a strong sense of community support in borrowing tools. They mentioned home and neighborhood improvement as well as a notion of sustainable community development. Patrons weigh several considerations before checking out a tool from the tool lending library: access and usage, cost, tool type, library vs private borrowing, and political and ideological motivations.

A Library of Things is a vibrant example of user-led collection development. Is there a community quilting group? What equipment does this group share because it is difficult to own? Can the library purchase any equipment to support this need? The potential for this collection seems limitless (within reason). How about a circulating seed collection for a garden club? Could a collection of circulating games support a teen gaming group?  What do users want to learn and what equipment do they need? Collection development for a Library of Things definitely raises some eyebrows. How does one clean and maintain equipment effectively? Do you trust patrons to check these items out and return them well? Beyond the logistical questions, those developing collections could and should ask what benefits the library and its community could enjoy by trying something new in a collection like this. At our Oregon library, a young patron checked out a radar gun from the Library of Things collection to measure the speed of the rides at a local community festival. His family sent photos of this experience to the library which were shared across social media. The positive impact of a Library of Things item can be far reaching indeed.

Libraries of Things: A Movement

Westa, Emily


Robinson, M. & Shedd, L. (2017). Audio recorders to zucchini seeds: Building a library of things. Santa Barbara, CA. ABC-CLIO.
Preview found here!


While this link leads not to an article, but rather to the first few chapters of a book, I feel that these few chapters give a great introduction and insight into the rising Library of Things movement. Many libraries in the Boston area (where I live), have been expanding their collections to include significant Library of Things (LoTs) collections and I’ve been noticing a rise in community engagement and excitement surrounding these new collections. This movement is nation-wide, and even international, and I believe it will continue to grow until LoTs are a staple in every major library. Let me know if your library has a LoT or is thinking about adding one!


Summary:

Beginning with a comprehensive history of the Library of Things movement and moving into case studies of LoTs in both public and academic libraries, Audio Recorders to Zucchini Seeds provides an engaging and complete overview of the movement as it has grown, how it looks today across the U.S.A, and what it could become as it continues to grow. The Library of Things movement has its roots in Curriculum Material Centers, offering real classroom materials for training and use by teachers-in-training, Tool Libraries, and other specialized collections, such as those with toys & games or multimedia collections. Today, many of these materials and objects are still a significant part of LoTs, but the possibilities of what can be included are both “diverse and limitless” (pg. 22). In Part II, we are presented with six case studies from public libraries with LoTs focused on everything from, bicycles to seeds, which people borrow, plant, and replace with new seeds grown in their plants during the next season. Part III focuses on academic libraries- providing us with seven case studies of LoTs with gaming consoles, video equipment, scopes, curriculum materials, technology and more. Although I haven’t read the end of the book (yet!), I know from the introduction that the last couple chapters focus on a special library in Alaska and an offering of best practices for libraries to consider and adopt when building their own Library of Things!


Evaluation:

Well written and extensively researched, Audio Recorders to Zucchini Seeds provides the most in depth discussion of the Library of Things movement that I could find online or in print. The introduction and history given in this book are comprehensive and clear. I especially appreciated the analysis of social movements, including the community sharing economy, that have supported LoTs and allowed these to move from specialized, unique collections to being more of the norm and expectation at many libraries across the U.S.A. The editors’ inclusion of case studies as the major content of this book brings in critical real-world experiences- successes and challenges. While I had only heard of LoTs at public libraries, the section on academic libraries opened my eyes to even greater possibilities for this type of collections as spanning across library types. Someday soon, LoTs could even exist in school libraries, supported the success of both students and school libraries. Overall, this book was well-written, engaging and incredibly informative. I would definitely recommend checking it out and at least reading the introduction, which provides an overview of each section. Let me know what you think!