1. The Library of Things Electronics, toys, tools and more.
Find your thing today!
12/7/2018
Framingham Public Library

2. Who am I? Kara – Info and reference librarian Librarian since 2015
Framingham librarian since March 2018
Library of Things since Oct 2018
What I’m reading right now:
Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch
Look at Me by Mareike Krügel

3. Top LoT Questions:
What is it? What’s in it? Why do we have it? Who can borrow? How do I borrow?

4. What is the Library of Things?
The Library of Things is a collection of electronics, toys, games, and more that you can check out at both branches of the Framingham Public Library.

5. What’s in it? Binoculars Dash Robot Forbidden Island Turntable
Golf range finder
Ghost kit
Labyrinth
Ukulele
GoPro kit
Laces toy
King of Tokyo
Amazon Echo
Resistance bands
LightUp Edison kit
Kubb
Amazon Fire Stick
Snowshoes
Magic Writing board
Nintendo Switch
Google Home
Tent
Microscope
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
Makey-makey
Bluetooth speakers
Seasons Game
Raspberry Pi
Digital camera
Stencils
Pandemic
Roku
Digital slide/film converter
Telescopes
Play Impossible ball
USB floppy drive
Betrayal at House on the Hill
Ring Toss set
WiFi hotspots
Portable Blu-ray/DVD/CD player
SNES Classic
Gardening tools
Bocce
Takenoko
Kill-a-watt
Elgato video capture
Carcassonne
Daylight Therapy lamp
Shredder
NeoLucidia XL
Cards Against Humanity
White noise machine
Stud finder
Elephas projector
Sun alarm clock
Toolset
Bike pump
Cornhole
Cake pans
Bike locks
Codenames
Knitting needles
American Girl dolls
Croquet
Sewing machine
Crazy Forts
Exploding Kittens
Guitar

6. Why?
The Library of Things supports our mission to contribute to the civic, intellectual, and cultural pursuits of the community by allowing patrons to explore fun and learning beyond books.

7. Who else offers Things? Acton Maynard Sudbury Arlington Medfield
Waltham
Bedford
Medford
Watertown
Brookline
Medway
Wayland
Cambridge
Millis
Wellesley
Concord
Natick
Weston
Dedham
Needham
Westwood
Dover
Norwood
Winchester
Franklin
Sherborn
Woburn
Holliston
Somerville
Lexington
Stow

8. Why does this help me? “Try before you buy”
Will I still like this next week?
Test potential presents!
I only need this once
Compare similar items
I want it but I can’t afford it
Will my kid still like this next week?

9. Our patrons’ favorite Things
Nintendo Switch
Amazon Fire
Wireless hotspots
Tabletop telescopes (MCA)
Shredder
Raspberry Pi
Aura Day Light Therapy Lamp
Louisa May Doll (MCA)
DSLR Camera
SNES Classic

10. Who can borrow?
Anyone with a MinuteMan card in good standing can borrow items from the Library of Things
Borrowing is NOT restricted to Framingham residents
Some libraries do restrict Things to their own patrons

11. Caveats No InterLibrary Loan
Things cannot be sent to other libraries for pickup or returned to other libraries – not even McAuliffe
Things cannot have holds placed on them (except the Hotspots)
Late fees are $2 per day (except American Girl Dolls, these are 10 cents per day)

12. How to browse - website

13. How to browse - catalog

14. How to browse - catalog

15. How to browse – in person
At the Main Library, browse the Library of Things by looking at the DVD cases to the left of the info desk.
Every Thing currently available to borrow will have a DVD case with a picture and description on the shelf.
Bring the DVD case to the Circulation Desk. Staff will take the DVD case and bring you your Thing.
Return your Thing to the Circulation Desk of the branch you borrowed it from.
Use the Suggestion Box on the bottom shelf if you have an idea for a new Thing.

16. How to browse – in person
Use the same process at the McAuliffe Branch. The MCA Library of Things browsing shelves are located to the left of the main lobby area near the far wall.
Items borrowed from the McAuliffe Library of Things must be returned to the McAuliffe Branch. They cannot be returned to the Main Library.
Each branch has a different collection of items to borrow.

17. Elgato Digital Video converter
Connects your VHS player to your computer and creates a computer file out of any VHS tape
Perfect for home movies or old favorites that are getting worn out
Comes with software that must be installed first
You will need a VHS player and a computer to make this Thing work.

18. Roku Like an operating system for your TV
Lets you access media apps like Netflix or Amazon Prime on your TV instead of your computer
Plugs into your TV at home
You need internet at home to use this Thing
If you want to try media apps but the Roku is checked out, try the Amazon Fire Stick instead. This device works slightly differently but will achieve the same result.

19. Wireless Hotspots No internet? No problem!
Hotspots provide secure wireless internet anywhere with a cell signal. If your cell phone works at home, this will too.
We have Verizon Hotspots and Sprint hotspots. Both are as secure as public encrypted WiFi

20. Coming Soon Briefcase Portfolios Cookie cutters Knitting looms
Pom-pom makers
VCR

21. Questions? Email the Reference Desk at fplmail6@minlib.net
Call the Reference Desk at x4361 and ask for Kara
Talk to the staff at the Circulation Desk