You might not expect to walk into your local library to find that they have a banjo you can check out, or pickle ball equipment, or VR headsets. But libraries and the System as a whole have been bucking traditions to house more than just books in their buildings. Take a look at some of the things you can check out at your library.

More Library of Things and Kits may be available through libraries within the region. You can find those that are entered into the online catalog here. Contact your local library directly for more details.

Baking Pans

Pans are expensive. Worse yet, if you’re not a professional baker, chances are you won’t use a specialty pan very often. So why not save some money for the important stuff and check out one of our baking pans free of charge with your library card the next time you need to bake a cake for someone’s birthday?

Book Club in a Bag Kits

Book clubs are hard to organize. You have to wrangle many copies of the same book, most likely from different libraries. And then there’s the task of coming up with discussion questions. Well, we’ve made it a bit easier. Each bag contains 12 copies of the same title and laminated discussion guides. To borrow these kits, please contact your local public library as they can’t be requested directly from the catalog.

Coding Kits

Programming might sound complicated, but kids can explore the basic concept behind what makes everyday technology tick and learn how to code, even as young as 6 years old. Coding Kits provide easy-to-learn tools and engaging activities to find out that coding is more than 1s and 0s.

Empowering Girls Kits

It’s our hope that these kits will encourage girls to believe in themselves and their ability to achieve their goals. They have the power within themselves to do anything and be anything they choose!
Each kit will contain at least one doll, books, games, activities, and stories about women who have overcome obstacles and achieved success. Some of the kits highlight non-traditional careers for women. Click here to see all the kits on our catalog and request one to have it sent to your library.

Experience Kits

Experience Kits are bundles with everything a group might need for a fun gathering with books, DVDs, games, activities, decorations, and more, designed with older audiences in mind. Enjoy a night in with one of these available kits.

Fishing Pole Kits

Ready to cast a line by the water? You will be when you check out the Fishing Pole Kit complete with fishing pole, a tackle box, and plenty of information to go fishing with.

Flannel Board Kits

Want to make story time more interactive for your child? Maybe to run a daycare or homeschool your child? These felt boards will make story times all the more fun.

Jump Start Early Literacy Kits

Want your child to have an early start on learning to read? These kits are a great place to start since they focus on the 5 simple activities that strengthen early literacy skills for Kindergarten readiness – talking, writing, reading, playing, and singing. Each kit includes tips for parents and ideas for additional activities.

Let’s Make Music Kits

Have a creative kid in your life that loves music? Rather than spend a fortune on different learning tools and instruments, help them find their passion with our Let’s Make Music Kits. Keyboards, guitars, ukuleles, drum pads, and even record players are available to check out for free with a library card.

Let’s Play Games Kits

Why spend your hard-earned cash on a board game you only use occasionally? Instead, request a game through your local library for your next family night in free of charge!

Maker Kits

Makerspaces are all the rage in the world of libraries these days. But what if you want some hands-on learning activities in the comfort of your own home? We have kits for all ages and abilities available to check out.

Mother Goose Big Idea Kits

The Mother Goose Big Idea Kits are collections of activities, toys, stories, and related items to stimulate and educate children. Check out a kit to help a child learn about how the weather and seasons change, how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, and more!

Museum Passes

Fort Ticonderoga Pass
Enjoy a 10% discount on general admission for up to 4 people when you check out a pass from a local library. Contact the library directly for more details on how to check one out today.
Made possible thanks to a collaboration with Fort Ticonderoga.
www.fortticonderoga.org | info@fort-ticonderoga.org | 518-585-2821

High Falls Gorge Discount Pass
Each pass from your local library provides a 15% discount on general admission for up to 4 people. Contact the library directly for more details on how to check one out today.
Made possible thanks to a collaboration with High Falls Gorge.
highfallsgorge.com | info@highfallsgorge.com | 518-946-2278

Wild Center Discovery Pass
Select member libraries have Discovery Passes to The Wild Center available to check out! These passes may be borrowed with your library card and they provide a discounted admission price for up to two adults, and up to four youths, ages 5-17 (admission for young children ages 4 and under is always free). Be sure to make plans to check out this amazing local resource this summer.

More passes for other locations may be available through libraries within the region. You can find those that are entered into the online catalog here. Contact your local library directly for more details.

Photography Kits

Ever wanted to try out photography but scoffed at the price of an entry-level camera? Well, you can see if this hobby is for you free of charge with these kits! Click here to find them in the catalog and reserve one today. They includes plenty of useful items to hone your skills.

Prep for Success Kit

Put your best foot forward with our Prep for Success kit. Whether you need help with writing a resume, tips for job or college interviews, or just some accessories to make you feel professional and confident, this kit has you covered. It contains a messenger bag, a portfolio with note paper and a pen, resume paper, thank you cards, a guide on how to write a resume, a book on nailing an interview, and even a tie with instructions on how to wear it. Check out the kit free of charge.

Sensory Kits

Thanks to generous grant funding from the Autism Alliance of Northeastern New York, these kits were designed for children and teens on the Autism spectrum and for their families. From communication skills, to supporting family relationships, to succeeding in education and life, these kits were made to help.

Sewing Machines

That’s right, you can save yourself some cash and check out an entire sewing machine from your library! And we have plenty of materials to help out on that first sewing project, too.

VR Headsets

These standalone headsets don’t require a computer or smartphone to run the dozens of apps packed on them. From diving underwater and swimming with rare aquatic life, to entering the human bloodstream and learning about different blood cells, to floating through the International Space Station to learn about what astronauts are working on, there’s no limit to what you can experience in virtual reality. Request one today from our online catalog to pick it up from your local library.

Weighted Blankets

These weighted blankets come in all sizes; extra small, small, medium, and large!

Wi-Fi Hotspots

Whether you’re at home or on the go, you can use our Wi-Fi hotspots to get wireless Internet access on your devices free of charge. You can check on the wireless coverage from T-Mobile’s website.

Wonderbooks

What’s a Wonderbook? A Wonderbook is a print book with a ready-to-play audiobook inside. Simply open, press play, and read along! Kids also have the ability to swap over to learning mode for literacy learning questions. Wonderbooks are a fun and interactive way to get kids reading! You can find them on the online catalog today.