Did you know that the modern library is much more than just a place to borrow books and other forms of media? Because I didn’t! It had been a good ten years since I had stepped foot inside a physical library. I had been using Libby (an app for borrowing digital books, audiobooks, magazines, etc. from your local library) for about ten years before I trekked out to the Northwest Library, one of the branches that serves the Worthington Libraries system.
Like most people, I spend way too much time on my phone. When my screen time hit nine hours in a single day, I finally had to ask myself what am I doing. Thanks to the Digital Wellbeing app, I discovered the answer, I was spending two to three hours a day on Libby. That was an easy way to cut down on phone use.
Now, I’m a frugal girl with an embarrassingly large “Did Not Finish” pile, so buying more books just to abandon them halfway through felt like a terrible idea. I had two options, get better at selecting books or head to the library. Naturally, I decided it was time to return to my local library.
My go-to spot is Northwest Library, one of the branches of Worthington Libraries. Originally, I loved it because it sits perfectly between my house and my gym. But during one visit, while wandering the aisles in search of my next read, I spotted something tucked away in the corner that completely changed the game: the Gear, Gadgets & Kits section.
Need a jump start because your car battery died in the Kroger parking lot? Borrow a portable car jump. Planning an outdoor movie night? They’ve got projectors. Trying to fix your bike guess what! they have bike repair kits and portable air compressors.Here is the truly cool thing, you can borrow these kits like books, you don’t need to buy a thing.
I love that you don’t need to own everything to have access to everything. You don’t need to buy expensive equipment you’ll use twice a year. Shared access just makes sense.
Half the internet is trying to sell you subscriptions to useless things, and the library is over here casually lending out practical life equipment for free with a card you probably got in elementary school and that is awesome. Instead of buying the latest item that you will use twice, maybe see if you can rent it from your local library.
What to know before you go: Before you start planning your library-powered era. Rental times vary depending on the item. Some items need to be used at the Library, while other kits can be borrowed for a few weeks. Every item has a replacement cost if it gets lost, seriously damaged, or decides to mysteriously disappear into the void.So maybe don’t treat the metal detector like it’s indestructible.
The good news is Worthington Libraries makes it incredibly easy to browse the collection online. You can check availability, see wait lists, read borrowing rules, and view replacement fees before checking anything out.Explore the collection here:
Worthington Libraries Gear Collection
Worthington Libraries Locations
Northwest Library
2280 Hard Rd
Columbus, OH 43235
Old Worthington Library
820 High St
Worthington, OH 43085
Orange Branch
7171 Gooding Blvd
Lewis Center, OH 43035
Socials
Instagram: @worthingtonlibraries
Facebook: Worthington Libraries
Website:
Worthington Libraries
Leave a Reply