#Maine - Want to try something new in the new year? Check out a ‘library of things’

#Libraries are expanding their offerings beyond books and audiotapes, broadening the potential pursuits of patrons.

by Sophie Burchell, January 2, 2026

CUMBERLAND — "If your New Year’s resolution is to try a new hobby — cooking more diverse recipes, taking up knitting or digging into gardening — but you are not yet ready to make a commitment for all of 2026, there is a shelf at the library for you.

"Stacked with items including a #MortarAndPestle, a #SpinningWheel and a #broadfork, the #LibraryOfThings at Cumberland’s #PrinceMemorialLibrary has objects for all types of pursuits ready for patrons to borrow like they would a book.

" 'The tortilla press is quite popular. A lot of people, they want to have a taco party or something, they want to try it out,' said Kelly Greenlee, community outreach librarian at Prince Memorial Library, which serves #CumberlandME and #NorthYarmouthME.

"Categories of 'things' include arts and craft supplies, science and technology devices, health and wellness equipment and home and garden tools. When acquiring items for this collection, librarians look for items that are typically only used once or twice a year, or things that someone would want to test out before they purchase it for themselves. The collection is intended to save library patrons time and money, as well as broaden their horizons — much like books.

" 'It’s designed to encourage people to have a #SharingEconomy, essentially,' said Greenlee. 'Libraries have always been about sharing resources, and it’s really just an extension of that.' "

Read more:
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/12/30/want-to-try-something-new-in-the-new-year-check-out-a-library-of-things/

Archived version:
https://archive.md/cWBiQ

#SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesRule #MaineLibraries #LibrariesOfThings #BorrowDontBuy

What if Everything is Free? Exploring The #LibraryOfThings Concept

"Research has shown that people are increasingly open to collaborative consumption, with studies indicating a rising willingness to share goods instead of purchasing them outright."

by Jed Brown, Feb 19, 2025

"In today’s consumer-driven society, the idea of ownership is so deeply ingrained that imagining a world where everything is free can seem radical — if not downright impossible.

Yet, emerging initiatives like the Library of Things invite us to reconsider our relationship with material goods. Rather than accumulating items, communities are experimenting with a model where objects are shared rather than owned."

Read more:
https://medium.com/@jedbrown99/what-if-everything-is-free-f52874528afc

#SolarPunkSunday #SharingEconomy #LibrariesOfThings #BorrowDontBuy #Degrowth #LibrariesOfThings #Decapitalize

#PublicLibrariesVictoria #Australia - #LibraryOfThings

"The library extends beyond books and embraces a vast array of useful items. This initiative is unique to each library, providing the community to borrow a diverse range of objects. Transforming the library into a hub of shared resources.

From tools and electronics to kitchen appliances and party supplies to children’s toys and hiking equipment. The concept expands access to items that might otherwise be unaffordable or underutilized. By borrowing rather than buying patrons not only save money but also promote sustainable consumption and reduce waste. Providing an opportunity for skill building, or to experiment with a new hobby. All the Library of Things across Victoria exemplify the collaborative spirit of the community offering the shared pool of resources.

Please get in contact with your closest library to discover what their Library of Things consists of.

By aligning with these SDG targets, a ‘library of things’ facilitates sustainable consumption, reduces waste, promotes community engagement and supports the development of resilient and inclusive cities. It encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing and partnerships to address the challenges of sustainable development and create more sustainable and resourceful communities.

Libraries that offer this initiative:
Bayside Libraries
Boroondara Libraries
Brimbank Libraries
Darebin Libraries
Geelong Regional Libraries
Glen Eira Libraries
Greater Dandenong Libraries
Goulburn Valley Libraries
Hobsons Bay Libraries
Hume Libraries
Melbourne Libraries
Mitchell Shire Libraries
MYLI - My Community Libraries
Whitehorse Manningham Libraries"

FMI - https://www.plv.org.au/initiatives/library-of-things/

#SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesOfThings #LibraryOfThingsAustralia #BorrowDontBuy #Australia #VictoriaAustralia

#BangorPublicLibrary in #BangorME has a very cool #LibraryOfThings which includes nature kits, telescopes, microscopes and an oscilloscope! They also have electronics and maker's kits!

https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/services/library-of-things/

https://bangorpubliclibrary.org/services/electronics-maker-kits/

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineLibraries #RepairKits #NatureKits #SpendTimeInNature #LibrariesOfThings #LoT #LibraryOfThingsMaine #Science #LibrariesRule!

LIBRARY OF THINGS – Borrowing Beyond Books

"Obtain a Curtis Memorial Library card to borrow from our Library of Things. This collection can be browsed by category below or seen throughout our Nonfiction shelves. Oversize items can be fetched by staff and you may reserve Things for checkout just as you do a book. A listing of all kits is available in Minerva. By checking out a Thing you agree to the Borrowing and Use Guidelines.

Some items in our Library of Things are referred to as “Specialty Items”. Specialty items can only be checked out by our 18+ patrons due to legal and/or safety concerns. For a listing of these Specialty Items, see link below.

Let us know what else we should lend, share how you want to use an item, learn how to share your consumables and repair your items, find out where you can acquire items we don’t lend, or browse more of our community’s ideas at our registry. If an item does not circulate in a year, we give it to another library. Learn where else you can borrow items, why we have a Library of Things, how we support the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how you can do so too, by exploring our videos at the bottom of the page. We want to help. Get in touch!"

https://curtislibrary.com/library-of-things/

#SolarPunkSunday #BorrowDontBuy #LibraryOfThingsMaine #LibrariesOfThings #MaineLibraries #BrunwickME #HolidayCooking #HomeRepairs #Crafting #LoT #LibraryOfThings #LibrariesRule!