Library of Things

Household tools and instruments without the price tag.

Take DIY to the next level with this collection of items no one expects to find at a library.
  • Try out a GoPro and film your adventures or action sports to create your own movies
  • Use home care and yard equipment without the hassle of maintenance or storage
  • Get creative with musical instruments and photography equipment
 

Library of Things Catalog
Browse the collection and reserve an item with your library card. Items can be reserved at Arcade Library, Fair Oaks Library, or Valley Hi-North Laguna Library. All items at the Walnut Grove Library are first come first serve and don't require a reservation.

How many Things can you reserve at a time?
You can place up to three reservations on different Things at a time, including the Things that you have checked out. Keep the two checkout limit in mind when scheduling additional reservation times.

How to pick up your item
Visit the Arcade, Fair Oaks, or Valley Hi-North Laguna Library during open hours once you receive a notice that your item is available to pick up. To borrow something from the Walnut Grove Library collection, just stop by and see what we have available.

How to return your item
Return your item to the same location during open hours.

Can you renew your item?
Library of Things items can be borrowed for 2 weeks and cannot be renewed.

Free online resources to use with your item
ArtistWorks for musical instruments
Provides musical instrument players world-class instruction from Grammy Award-winning music professionals via the Libby app. Offers users a guided path of video lessons containing everything needed to reach their musical goals. All levels of players can access hundreds of hours of high quality video instruction, studio quality play-along tracks, and downloadable written materials, tablature and sheet music. Find ArtistWorks in the Libby app.

Consumer Reports
Reliable and unbiased reviews and guides on products that will leave you well-informed before your next purchase of an appliance, car, health product, electronic equipment and home and garden equipment.

Craftsy for sewing machines, cameras, gardening tools
An online resource for all creative makers from basic instruction to advance techniques via the Libby app. Offers over 1,400 instructional video classes that cover such topics as sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking, drawing, painting, photography, jewelry making, gardening, woodworking, writing, and yoga. Every class is led by expert instructors and also offers downloadable resources. Craftsy also offers live streaming events. Find Craftsy in the Libby app.

Gale Courses for cameras, gardening, musical instruments
These six-week-long online programs are taught by college instructors. New courses begin each month, and lessons are assigned twice a week, enhanced to support varied learning styles. Enjoy self-paced learning and engagement with other students and the instructor with weekly discussion boards. This service is available 24/7.

Hobbies and Crafts Source for sewing machines, cameras, gardening tools, kitchen appliances
Includes detailed "how-to” instructions and creative ideas that meet the interests of virtually every hobby enthusiast. Hobbies & Crafts Source includes leading full-text hobby and craft magazines, hobby profiles, recipes, and videos

Home Improvement Source
Provides do-it-yourselfers with detailed, user-friendly “how-to” information covering a variety of home improvement and repair projects. Content features full-text from leading home improvement magazines, images, and videos of popular home repair projects.

LinkedIn Learning for cameras, musical instruments
Access over 16,000 expert-level video tutorials on everything including C++ Coding training, Excel Essentials, Graphic Design, Photography. If you want to learn or master a skill, LinkedIn Learning compiles high-quality how-to series, put together by some of the most successful industry experts. This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

New York Times Cooking for kitchen tools
Access 19,000+ expert-tested recipes, easy-to-follow cooking guides, and more. To use the Library’s subscription, click redeem (the code is autofilled) and you'll be asked to create an account with the New York Times. Each login provides you with 24 hours of continuous access.

Have Questions?
Can I pick up an item from any branch?

Items in the Library of Things are kept at ArcadeFair Oaks, Valley Hi-North Laguna, and Walnut Grove Library. When you check out an item you must return it to the same location.

How many Library of Things items can I borrow at one time and for how long?

You can borrow up to two items at a time for two weeks.

Can anyone check out an object from the Library of Things?

Anyone who has a Library card (owing less than $5 in fees), and is over 18 years old.

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