Beyond Books

What began with STEM kits around 2013 and hotspots in 2020, the Ridgewood Public Library officially began building its Library of Things (LoT) collection in 2021. Funded by the Library’s Friends Foundation, it’s a collection of items that people can borrow for free using a library card, such as tools, electronics, and games. Now, Ridgewood’s LoT has since grown to include more than 150 items.

Located in the library’s Reference area, the collection reflects a simple question: What would be useful to the community?

“We try to consider what might be beneficial to our patrons, whether for entertainment or practical use,” says Elias Rosner, Reference Librarian. Popular items often inspire additions to the collection, helping the library expand on interests already shared by patrons. The selection also focuses on items that many people may not own, cannot easily afford, or may only need a few times each year.

That philosophy has led to offerings ranging from PA systems and leaf blowers to gaming equipment and specialized technological tools.

Surprising Finds on the Shelves

The Library of Things is full of unexpected discoveries. Rosner’s personal favorite might be the collection’s most unusual item: an “emotional support chicken,” which is exactly what it sounds like—a rubber chicken wearing a vest.

Other standout items include gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Switch 2, thermal imaging cameras, and even an outdoor heater for colder months.

For younger patrons and families, the collection includes Tonies, small figurines that represent characters or themes and come preloaded with audio content. When placed on a Toniebox audio player, they tell stories and provide an engaging listening experience.

“The Library’s mission is to engage the community in the pursuit of lifelong learning,” says Victoria Schnure, ESL Coordinator/Instructor. “We provide an environment and services that enhance the experience of living in a great community like Ridgewood. Our staff keeps this mission top of mind, engaging residents and community partners, and always asking, ‘What can the Library do to make someone’s life easier, more joyful, or more connected?’”

Something for Almost Everyone

While the collection serves a broad audience, certain categories consistently rise to the top.

Games are among the most popular items, particularly lawn games. Hotspots, however, remain the undisputed favorite, far outpacing any other single item in the collection.

The library also offers dementia-friendly kits designed to support memory and recall. Some focus on strengthening memory through games, while others help users reconnect with personal memories.

The LoT includes resources for students, such as calculators and MCAT flashcards, as well as equipment useful for videographers and backyard entertainers.

Meeting Community Needs

The LoT fills many different needs for residents and patrons throughout the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS), whose cardholders can borrow most items in the collection.

For some, the benefit is financial. Borrowing an item can eliminate the need for a costly purchase. For others, it provides access to a tool at exactly the right moment, whether they are tackling a home project, trying a new hobby, or planning a special event.

The collection has also proven valuable during unexpected situations. Rosner recalls that the library hotspots were a lifesaver to several new residents waiting for home internet service to be installed.

In another case, a business owner experienced a malfunctioning door lock that seemed unusually warm. After borrowing the library’s thermal imaging camera, the patron discovered part of the mechanism had exceeded 130 degrees. The electrical current was shut off, and the faulty equipment was replaced before the problem could become more serious.

Sustainable Sharing

The LoT supports sustainability by reducing waste, encouraging shared use of resources, and allowing people to “try before they buy.”

“If 20 people need the same item over the course of a year,” Rosner notes, “that’s 19 fewer devices sitting around gathering dust or eventually ending up in a landfill.”

The electric leaf blower provides patrons an opportunity to try a quieter alternative to gas-powered equipment before deciding whether to purchase one themselves.

Other items encourage a repair mindset. A sewing machine can extend the life of clothing, while a phone-cleaning kit helps maintain personal devices. By providing access to specialized equipment, the library empowers patrons to repair and maintain belongings that might otherwise be discarded.

While the LoT may seem like a modern innovation, Rosner sees it as a natural extension of the public library’s longstanding mission. Over the years, libraries have provided access to materials that might otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable for many people. In the past, that included encyclopedias, art books, and specialized journals. Soon, VHS tapes, CDs, and DVDs came on the scene.

Today, that same spirit of access includes tools, technology, games, and equipment.

“It’s not so much a changing role,” Rosner says, “but an expansion; in fact, the Ridgewood Library even loaned out paintings at one time.”

Looking Ahead

Even with more than 150 items available, Rosner is still thinking about what could come next. His wish list includes an electric lawnmower, giant UNO cards, and perhaps even a jewelry-cleaning kit.

For now, however, Ridgewood’s Library of Things continues to offer something increasingly valuable: access. Whether it’s a hotspot, a thermal imaging camera, a lawn game, or a rubber chicken, the collection proves that today’s libraries are about much more than books.

Visit ridgewoodlibrary.org/library-services/library-of-things/ for more information.