Bet you didn’t know you could borrow other items from your local library besides books…
Also called “The Library of Things,” libraries across the country carry a wide variety of useful items you can borrow for a week or two without spending your hard-earned cash.
When money’s tight, every dollar makes a difference.
Why buy if you know you only need to use it a few times, or maybe you want to try it out first to see if you want it before buying….
Take a look at the list below of 89 things you can borrow — BESIDES BOOKS. You’ll find that the library card in your wallet is much more valuable than you think!
Items You Can Borrow From the Library – Besides Books
The items available will vary from library to library, so you should call or visit their website to see what they have before walking in to borrow a specific item. But one thing’s for sure — there’s something for everyone!
Whether you’re babysitting and want to bake a fun cake or festively shaped cookies with the kids, use a karaoke machine for a graduation part, or need binoculars for your weekend hiking trip — your local library may be the free way to do so!
Reading Materials-Besides Books
1. Digital Magazines
2. Ebooks
3. Audiobooks
Subscription Databases
No need to pay for your own subscription to research information. Did you know you can use the library’s account to log in and use subscriptions and data sites?
4. Consumer Reports
5. Ancestry
6. Heritage Quest
7. Morningstar Investment
8. Udemy Courses
9. Linkedin Learning
10. Online research databases
Electronics
11. VHS (VCR) to DVD converter
12. Laptops & Chromebooks
Health/Fitness
If you find yourself or a loved one needing a walker or wheelchair temporarily due to an injury, you can save a lot of money by borrowing one from your local library. Before spending your hard-earned money on tech, like a Fitbit, check one out to see if you like it first. Those aren’t cheap, so testing it beforehand is a great idea!
13. Blood Pressure Monitor
14. Fitbit
15. Wheelchair
16. Walker
17. Light therapy lamp
Power Tools
Tools can get expensive, especially when you only need them for a one-time project. Borrow it instead of buying it!
18. Stud sensor
19. Electric screwdrivers
20. Socket sets
21. Thermal leak detectors
22. Power drills
23. Laser levels
24. Wrenches
25. Saws
26. Pressure washer
Kitchen Equipment & Small Appliances
Still trying to decide whether to buy a new kitchen gadget?
Only need to bake a bundt cake or a Darth Vader birthday cake once?
Then save money and kitchen space by borrowing the item from your library.
Cooking Gadgets
27. Air fryer
28. Instapot
29. Crockpot
30. Food processor
Baking Ware
If you like to bake cookies and cakes for each season, check out seasonal bakeware instead of spending money and taking up space in your kitchen. Check them out for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and more!
31. Cake Pans (Bundt Cakes, Seasonal Cakes, Themed, Birthdays)
32. Mixer
33. Cake pop maker
34. Waffle iron
35. Cookie cutters
Outdoor/Sports Gear
If you aren’t an outdoor fanatic, it’s likely that snowshoes and skis aren’t part of your regular winter wardrobe. The next time you go on a hike or want to go stargazing, don’t run out to buy binoculars or telescopes — check your local library first!
36. Snowshoes
37. Fishing Poles
38. Snow Shovels
39. Telescopes for stargazing
40. Croquet set
41. Skis
42. Lifejackets
43. Binoculars
44. Sleds
45. Shade tents
46. Bicycles & Bike Locks & helmets
47. Metal detector
48. State Park Passes Passes
Entertainment:
49. Chromecast
50. Roku stick
51. Apple TV
52. Microphone
53. Gaming console
54. Museum and art gallery passes
55. Ring light
56. Kindle & Laptop
57. Movies
58. Dvd player
59. Karaoke Machine
60. Board games
61. Jigsaw puzzles
62. Video games
63. VR device
Arts & Crafts
New hobbies can be expensive. Have you ever been guilty of starting a new hobby, spending money on all the needed materials, then giving it up shortly out of disinterest? If so, the next time a new activity sparks your interest — see if the library carries any needed items first.
64. Sewing machine
65. Crochet items
66. Cricut items
67. Glue gun
68. Label maker
69. Laminator
Musical Instruments
Yes-you can borrow a musical instrument. Now those can really get pricey, so being able to borrow one for a week or two can help you save.
70. DJ equipment
71. Guitars
72. Guitar amps and pedals
73. Microphone and stand
74. Tambourines
75. Keyboards
76. Violin
77. Flute
Gardening Items
If you have some gardening or a landscaping project to work on, chances are you’ll need to buy some specific tools.
Maybe you don’t need to spend money after all — take a look:
78. Seeds. You don’t really borrow them. They kindly ask you to bring some seeds back from what you’re able to grow at home.
79. Shovels
80. Leaf blower
81. Rake
82. Wheelbarrow
Random/Miscellaneous
You never know when one of these items can come in handy, but when they do, you’ll save some moola for sure!
82. Halloween Costumes
84. Prom Dresses
85. Paper shredder
86. Bubble machine
87. Sno-cone maker
88. Disco Ball
89. Green Screens
Try Before You Buy
Most libraries allow you to check out items for one to three weeks and may limit you to checking out 1-2 items at a time.
There may be restrictions and guidelines— such as needing to be over 18 and not having any fines or penalties. Late fees apply, often $10-$20 per day, with additional penalties for damages.
If you’re looking to save some cash for something you only need for a night or week, a library in your city might be your best bet!
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