Come for a book, leave with bongos — a Library of Things lets cardholders try, learn and create
From power tools and sewing machines to lawn games and musical instruments, a vast catalog of items for temporary use is just one checkout away at the Orange County Public Libraries' Library of Things.
Dungan is one of 29 branches in the network that lets cardholders get their hands on items that might expose them to new crafts and hobbies or fulfill a temporary need. OC Public Libraries' librarian Ericka Reeb said another goal of the collection is to reduce some of the waste and overconsumption that can occur in the retail market.
'When you purchase something, there's a whole chain — sometimes there's packaging, or maybe you use it, then it sits there taking up space in your home,' said Reeb, who also serves as branch manager for the University Park Library in Irvine.
'With the Library of Things, we buy one item and share it with the entire community.'
When OC Public Libraries launched the endeavor last spring, the catalog included about 45 items, primarily outdoor games and musical instruments, available for checkout at three branches, including the Costa Mesa library.
Today, with help from a $75,000 Sustainable California Libraries grant from the California State Library that last year allowed for expansion of the catalog and branch participation, the system offers more than 1,200 items in libraries countywide.
Reeb, who oversees the catalog and purchases items for it, said one benefit of the program is that it allows cardholders to check out something they're interested in trying but not sure about buying.
For example, a homeowner might be considering switching from a gas-powered range to an electric one, so could check out an induction cooktop kit to see how it cooks. Another library patron could get a star-gazing set with a telescope to watch a meteor shower, or a pickleball set to try the sport without paying for equipment.
Other times, people may have grandkids visiting or a birthday party or meeting that requires a particular set, game or item not needed beyond the one-time use. Still others may have a weekend project that requires a tool, like a drill with an augur attachment for turning soil or a digital film scanner, that they'd otherwise have to buy and then keep indefinitely.
'We've looked for those items that were large — how often do you break out that cornhole set?' Reeb said Wednesday. 'This way you can just check it out. You don't have to store it, and you don't have to pay for it. It's free, just like a book.'
While the Library of Things mirrors the traditional book-lending model, there are a few key differences. Firstly, it's only for cardholders 18 and older and requires users to sign a waiver.
Library patrons are limited to two items at a time, and while an object can be checked out for 21 days, it cannot be renewed, due to a limited supply and high demand. A cardholder also cannot place a hold on an item and, in many cases, may have to pick it up and drop it off to its location of origin.
In addition to growing the catalog significantly, last year's State Library grant also allowed OC Public Libraries to develop programming around the collection, including the sewing class at the Donald Dungan Library and talks and demonstrations on zero-waste or plant-based cooking, upcycling and living a plastic-free lifestyle.
Wednesday's sewing machine tutorial — led by Jenny Nason and Wendy Hershman of the Orange Quilt Bee fabric store — saw Costa Mesa resident Vickie Do trying out a Brother 60-stitch computerized sewing machine to create a drawstring produce bag.
'I have never used a machine before. [But] now, with all the upcycling going on I want to empower my kids — I want to learn so I can show them,' said the 37-year-old mother of two, who regularly enrolls her kids in library classes and saw the adult sewing class.
'There's also a mom and teen class. So, if 'Mommy' can learn, maybe I can come here and they can learn with me,' she said.
As use of the catalog deepens and expands, librarians are learning from patrons, through surveys and by word of mouth, the many different ways the Library of Things is improving and enriching lives.
Some people simply want to play a cassette tape or CD, or digitize their old music into a modern format. Others may want to try their hand at playing the bongos.
Reeb said she once ordered a lifelike robotic cat, intended as a companion for people with dementia, but heard of a family that used it to acclimate their young daughter to having a real cat in the house.
It's all part of ensuring libraries meet constituents wherever they're at, according to Reeb.
'We're constantly trying to meet the needs of our community,' she said. 'And we love things like this, because people may say, 'I already buy my books, but I always wanted to try a metal detector.' And we have one for you.'
For more, visit ocpl.org/books-more/library-things.
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Forbes
a day ago
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Meet The Living Legend Behind Pakistan's Iconic Children's Library
Basarat Kazim, the President of the Alif Laila Book Bus Society. Saad Sarfraz Sheikh Founded in the 1970s by Dr. Juanita Baker, in Lahore, Pakistan, the renowned non-profit, the Alif Laila Book Bus Society, stands as the first children's library on home turf, instilling a love of reading in generations of Pakistani children over the years. Featuring scores of books by international book publishers, that Baker would receive from America (her home country), what once blossomed as a small, volunteer-run platform, grew three-fold, into a nationwide movement that today, continues in its mission to inspire Pakistani children through its Gulberg-based library and mobile library initiatives. At the time, a children's library in a double-decker bus was a very exciting sight for families and their young children. Having acquired the bus from the Punjab Road Transport Board as a donation, Baker converted the vehicle into a magical library stocked with numerous fiction and non-fiction titles for children. A year later, after Baker left Pakistan, Kathleen Alam stepped in as the non-profit's President. It was around this time that Basarat Kazim, a Lahore-native, began volunteering at Alif Laila, striking up a close friendship with Alam. However, a few years after Alam moved on, Kazim stepped in to lead the non-profit in 1982. And almost five decades later, Kazim hasn't looked back once. "We need to open up a world of magic and stories for children." - Basarat Kazim Saad Sarfraz Sheikh Today, Alif Laila's heartfelt work running libraries and building libraries in underprivileged schools and economically-depressed communities continues, no matter how far-flung. Having trained thousands of teachers, setting up schools in slum areas and in addition, publishing its very own children's books, the non-profit persists to spearhead outreach programs where books are taken to Pakistani children on the backs of camels and yaks, in boats and rickshaws. A vociferous reader as a child and an introvert to boot, the highlight of young Kazim's day would be to listen to her beloved aunt's storytelling sessions before bedtime. Watching her aunt narrate stories upon stories, Kazim's mind would be filled with the most exciting characters and creatures embarking on the most splendid of adventures! This truly set the path for young Kazim, although at the time, little did she know that she would eventually pave the way for numerous children (just like herself) to nurture a deep-seated love for the magic and timeless lessons that storybooks have to offer... SR: What encouraged you to take on this mammoth role? How did it all begin? BK: In 1978, a s a young mother of two children, I used to visit the Alif Laila library with them. We'd borrow books and then read them together. I soon realized what a wonderful impact it was having on developing their imaginations and critical thinking skills. It was at that point that I thought, if I could do this for my children, I need to do the same for Pakistan's children. That was the turning point for me. I understood the dire need for books for children. Books teach them to dream big, they teach children humanity and that the world, essentially, is open to them, wherever they go and whatever they want to do. A dated photo of Basarat Kazim standing next to the Alif Laila Book Bus Society's library (in Lahore) in the 1980s. Syed Midhat Kazim/Alif Laila SR: Your journey started out with the Alif Laila library in the double-decker bus. Could you tell me a little about how you built it from thereon? BK: As a start, I began visiting government schools in the vicinity and would talk to the students about the library. I'd speak to them about reading and encouraged them to visit us. The membership at the time was only ten rupees, but not every child could afford it, hence, I'd tell them to stop by whenever they could. Back then, in 1980, the schools didn't have any transport system for the children, so we'd rent out a small Suzuki van to bring the children to the library. Over time, we began spearheading mobile libraries to take books to communities which didn't have access to reading materials for children. That's when we decided to initiate our teacher training program for less privileged schools, to help teachers spruce up their classrooms with low cost, recycled materials to encourage a fun learning experience. Afterwards, our team even set up schools in slum areas. It was a very gratifying and collaborative effort. Alif Laila currently has two mobile rickshaw libraries in Lahore which visit underserved communities in the city. Saad Sarfraz Sheikh SR: How did you manage to encourage children to become interested in books? BK: While we were welcoming in children to the library from nearby government schools, we'd always asked them what they liked and didn't like. We wanted to ensure we created an experience that they'd love. With children, the more novel the approach, the more exciting things become for them! Hence, we didn't want them to view reading books as a drab exercise. In the 90s, I recall one incident when we began working with children through our mobile library outreach program. One child looked at our colorful bus and remarked in awe, 'Books are like this too?' He couldn't believe that there was anything beyond his school's text books. That memory has stayed with me since. This truly is the mindset that we need to break through…that books are dull. We need to open up a world of magic and stories for children. However, it can only be perceived in an enchanted way if the packaging of the books speaks to children. That's why, over the years, whether transporting books through the bus, rickshaws, camels or boats, we've always made sure to make it as bright, colorful and exciting as possible. Like a magic flying carpet. Alif Laila's delightful mobile camel library, launched five years ago, still continues to run in the provinces of Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab. Alif Laila SR: You have been the recipient of many national and international awards. Recognition of your years of dedicated work for Pakistan's younger generation must be very gratifying… BK: Any and every honor that has come to Alif Laila, be it awards, feedback from people, or a child's enthusiasm when they visit the library, has been a deep honor. It's wonderful that Alif Laila has had a part to play in the lives of so many. 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Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
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Come for a book, leave with bongos — a Library of Things lets cardholders try, learn and create
Men and women looking to learn the craft of sewing this week congregated at Costa Mesa's Donald Dungan Library, where a 90-minute lesson could be extended by weeks for students interested in checking the machines out with their library cards. From power tools and sewing machines to lawn games and musical instruments, a vast catalog of items for temporary use is just one checkout away at the Orange County Public Libraries' Library of Things. Dungan is one of 29 branches in the network that lets cardholders get their hands on items that might expose them to new crafts and hobbies or fulfill a temporary need. OC Public Libraries' librarian Ericka Reeb said another goal of the collection is to reduce some of the waste and overconsumption that can occur in the retail market. 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For example, a homeowner might be considering switching from a gas-powered range to an electric one, so could check out an induction cooktop kit to see how it cooks. Another library patron could get a star-gazing set with a telescope to watch a meteor shower, or a pickleball set to try the sport without paying for equipment. Other times, people may have grandkids visiting or a birthday party or meeting that requires a particular set, game or item not needed beyond the one-time use. Still others may have a weekend project that requires a tool, like a drill with an augur attachment for turning soil or a digital film scanner, that they'd otherwise have to buy and then keep indefinitely. 'We've looked for those items that were large — how often do you break out that cornhole set?' Reeb said Wednesday. 'This way you can just check it out. You don't have to store it, and you don't have to pay for it. It's free, just like a book.' While the Library of Things mirrors the traditional book-lending model, there are a few key differences. Firstly, it's only for cardholders 18 and older and requires users to sign a waiver. Library patrons are limited to two items at a time, and while an object can be checked out for 21 days, it cannot be renewed, due to a limited supply and high demand. A cardholder also cannot place a hold on an item and, in many cases, may have to pick it up and drop it off to its location of origin. In addition to growing the catalog significantly, last year's State Library grant also allowed OC Public Libraries to develop programming around the collection, including the sewing class at the Donald Dungan Library and talks and demonstrations on zero-waste or plant-based cooking, upcycling and living a plastic-free lifestyle. Wednesday's sewing machine tutorial — led by Jenny Nason and Wendy Hershman of the Orange Quilt Bee fabric store — saw Costa Mesa resident Vickie Do trying out a Brother 60-stitch computerized sewing machine to create a drawstring produce bag. 'I have never used a machine before. [But] now, with all the upcycling going on I want to empower my kids — I want to learn so I can show them,' said the 37-year-old mother of two, who regularly enrolls her kids in library classes and saw the adult sewing class. 'There's also a mom and teen class. So, if 'Mommy' can learn, maybe I can come here and they can learn with me,' she said. As use of the catalog deepens and expands, librarians are learning from patrons, through surveys and by word of mouth, the many different ways the Library of Things is improving and enriching lives. Some people simply want to play a cassette tape or CD, or digitize their old music into a modern format. Others may want to try their hand at playing the bongos. Reeb said she once ordered a lifelike robotic cat, intended as a companion for people with dementia, but heard of a family that used it to acclimate their young daughter to having a real cat in the house. It's all part of ensuring libraries meet constituents wherever they're at, according to Reeb. 'We're constantly trying to meet the needs of our community,' she said. 'And we love things like this, because people may say, 'I already buy my books, but I always wanted to try a metal detector.' And we have one for you.' For more, visit
Yahoo
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