When you picture your local public library, what comes to mind? Quiet rows of bookshelves, the smell of crisp paper, and maybe a librarian gently shushing a noisy patron?
For decades, that classic image held true. But behind the scenes, public libraries have undergone a massive, thrilling revolution.
Step into a modern library, and you are just as likely to walk out with a high-tech tool, a musical instrument, or outdoor gear as you are with a paperback thriller. Thanks to the rise of the "Library of Things," branches worldwide are expanding their catalogs to include physical objects. The guiding philosophy is simple: why buy an item you will only use once or twice a year when you can borrow it for free with a library card?
By shifting from ownership to sharing, you can save thousands of dollars, declutter your closets, and reduce your environmental footprint.
If you want to stretch your household budget, here are 10 surprising things you can borrow from a library right now rather than buying them.
For decades, that classic image held true. But behind the scenes, public libraries have undergone a massive, thrilling revolution.
Step into a modern library, and you are just as likely to walk out with a high-tech tool, a musical instrument, or outdoor gear as you are with a paperback thriller. Thanks to the rise of the "Library of Things," branches worldwide are expanding their catalogs to include physical objects. The guiding philosophy is simple: why buy an item you will only use once or twice a year when you can borrow it for free with a library card?
By shifting from ownership to sharing, you can save thousands of dollars, declutter your closets, and reduce your environmental footprint.
If you want to stretch your household budget, here are 10 surprising things you can borrow from a library right now rather than buying them.
1. Power Tools and Home Repair Equipment
We have all been there: you want to hang a heavy mirror or build a simple floating shelf, but you do not own a drill. Buying a high-quality cordless drill, a circular saw, or a stud finder for a single afternoon project feels like a waste of money—and it is. Statistically, the average power drill is used for a grand total of only 12 to 15 minutes in its entire lifespan.
Many libraries now feature robust tool-lending sections. You can check out everything from basic screwdrivers and socket sets to heavy-duty power tools like pressure washers, lawnmowers, and extension ladders.
Many libraries now feature robust tool-lending sections. You can check out everything from basic screwdrivers and socket sets to heavy-duty power tools like pressure washers, lawnmowers, and extension ladders.
Pro Tip: Borrowing tools is also an excellent "try before you buy" strategy. If you are thinking about investing in a major home maintenance tool, checking it out from the library first lets you test its weight, battery life, and ease of use risk-free.
2. Baking Pans and Specialty Cookware
Want to bake a spectacular, three-tier castle cake for your child’s birthday? Or maybe you want to host an elegant weekend brunch and make authentic Swiss fondue?
If you buy a castle-shaped cake pan or a specialized fondue pot, those items will likely spend the next 364 days hogging valuable real estate in your kitchen cabinets. Instead of cluttering your kitchen, head to the library.
Many branches maintain extensive collections of specialty bakeware and kitchen appliances. You can often find:
If you buy a castle-shaped cake pan or a specialized fondue pot, those items will likely spend the next 364 days hogging valuable real estate in your kitchen cabinets. Instead of cluttering your kitchen, head to the library.
Many branches maintain extensive collections of specialty bakeware and kitchen appliances. You can often find:
- Character and holiday-themed cake pans
- Ice cream makers
- Dehydrators and air fryers
- High-end food processors and stand mixers
Just wash the item thoroughly before and after use, and return it ready for the next community baker!
3. High-Quality Telescopes
Stargazing is a beautiful, peaceful hobby, but entry-level telescopes are notoriously hit-or-miss. The cheap ones often yield blurry views of the moon, while professional-grade models cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
To bridge this gap, thousands of libraries participate in formal telescope-lending programs.
Branches frequently stock heavy-duty, user-friendly tabletop telescopes (like the Orion StarBlast 4.5) designed specifically for beginners and families. These kits usually come packed in rugged, padded buckets alongside star charts, constellation guides, and easy-to-read instruction manuals. It is the perfect recipe for an unforgettable backyard date night or an educational weekend with your kids—all without spending a dime.
To bridge this gap, thousands of libraries participate in formal telescope-lending programs.
Branches frequently stock heavy-duty, user-friendly tabletop telescopes (like the Orion StarBlast 4.5) designed specifically for beginners and families. These kits usually come packed in rugged, padded buckets alongside star charts, constellation guides, and easy-to-read instruction manuals. It is the perfect recipe for an unforgettable backyard date night or an educational weekend with your kids—all without spending a dime.
4. Board Games and Video Games
If you have stepped into a hobby shop recently, you know that modern board gaming is booming. However, complex strategy games like Catan, Wingspan, or Ticket to Ride routinely retail between $40 and $70 each. Video games for consoles like the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 5 are even steeper, often launching at $70 a pop.
Paying that much hurts if you discover your family loses interest after two rounds.
Libraries are fantastic saving graces for gamers. Most systems carry massive, regularly updated vaults of board games, puzzles, and the latest video game releases. Borrowing games allows you to host an epic, low-cost Friday game night or test-drive a hot new video game release before deciding if it deserves a permanent spot on your shelf.
Paying that much hurts if you discover your family loses interest after two rounds.
Libraries are fantastic saving graces for gamers. Most systems carry massive, regularly updated vaults of board games, puzzles, and the latest video game releases. Borrowing games allows you to host an epic, low-cost Friday game night or test-drive a hot new video game release before deciding if it deserves a permanent spot on your shelf.
5. Camping and Outdoor Recreation Gear
Outfitting a family for a weekend camping trip can easily clear out your bank account. Tents, sleeping pads, hiking poles, and cooking stoves add up fast. If you only go camping once a year, that gear ends up gathering dust in your garage, losing its structural integrity over time.
Before heading to an outdoor retailer, check your library's recreation inventory. Many branches loan out high-quality outdoor essentials, including:
- Multi-person camping tents and double hammocks
- Trekking poles and GPS navigators
- Snowshoes and pickleball sets
- Fishing rods, reels, and tackle boxes
Borrowing your gear keeps your adventurous weekends highly affordable and highly sustainable.
6. Musical Instruments
Learning an instrument is incredibly rewarding, but it requires a steep financial runway. Buying a beginner's acoustic guitar, keyboard, or violin can cost hundreds of dollars—a risky gamble if you (or your child) decide after three weeks that the instrument isn't a good fit.
To lower the barrier to entry, libraries have stepped up to provide musical instrument lending libraries.
Patrons can check out ukuleles, keyboards, acoustic guitars, violins, and even electronic instruments for weeks at a time. This lets aspiring musicians build muscle memory and learn basic chords at home without any financial anxiety. If the passion sticks, you can confidently invest in your own instrument down the line.
To lower the barrier to entry, libraries have stepped up to provide musical instrument lending libraries.
Patrons can check out ukuleles, keyboards, acoustic guitars, violins, and even electronic instruments for weeks at a time. This lets aspiring musicians build muscle memory and learn basic chords at home without any financial anxiety. If the passion sticks, you can confidently invest in your own instrument down the line.
7. Digital Media Equipment and Tech Gadgets
Are you planning to digitize a box of old family photos over the weekend? Or maybe you want to host an outdoor movie night in your backyard?
Instead of buying expensive single-use tech gadgets, let your library card do the heavy lifting. Modern library systems are packed with premium tech devices available for short-term loans, such as:
Instead of buying expensive single-use tech gadgets, let your library card do the heavy lifting. Modern library systems are packed with premium tech devices available for short-term loans, such as:
- Projectors and projection screens: Ideal for presentations or backyard movie marathons.
- High-end digital cameras and GoPros: Perfect for capturing memories on an upcoming vacation without buying a dedicated camera device.
- Photo and document scanners: Perfect for weekend digitization and archiving projects.
- Wi-Fi Hotspots: Lifesavers if you are traveling to a remote area or working remotely and need a guaranteed, secure internet connection.
8. Sewing Machines and Craft Tools
Crafting hobbies are notorious for requiring expensive specialized equipment. If you want to try your hand at sewing, Cricut vinyl cutting, or heavy-duty scrapbooking, the upfront equipment costs can easily deter you from starting.
Thankfully, makerspaces and craft loans are becoming standard library staples.
You can frequently borrow portable sewing machines to tackle quick clothing alterations or home decor projects. Many libraries also loan out specialized crafting kits, complete with knitting needles, crochet hooks, jewelry-making tools, and button makers. It is a wonderful, budget-friendly way to explore your creative side.
Thankfully, makerspaces and craft loans are becoming standard library staples.
You can frequently borrow portable sewing machines to tackle quick clothing alterations or home decor projects. Many libraries also loan out specialized crafting kits, complete with knitting needles, crochet hooks, jewelry-making tools, and button makers. It is a wonderful, budget-friendly way to explore your creative side.
9. Free Passes to Local Museums, Zoos, and Parks
This is arguably the most underutilized perk of a modern library card. Taking a family of four to a city museum, a science center, or an aquarium can easily top $100 just for admission tickets.
To keep cultural education accessible, many public libraries partner with local attractions to offer free community culture passes.
By reserving a pass through your library's online portal, you can secure free or deeply discounted admission to local art museums, children's museums, botanical gardens, zoos, and state or national parks. These passes are incredibly popular, so you will want to plan ahead and reserve your dates early, especially around summer vacation and holiday weekends.
To keep cultural education accessible, many public libraries partner with local attractions to offer free community culture passes.
By reserving a pass through your library's online portal, you can secure free or deeply discounted admission to local art museums, children's museums, botanical gardens, zoos, and state or national parks. These passes are incredibly popular, so you will want to plan ahead and reserve your dates early, especially around summer vacation and holiday weekends.
10. Seeds for Your Garden
Yes, you read that correctly: you can actually borrow life from the library! Seed libraries have blossomed across the country as part of an effort to encourage local food security and sustainable gardening.
The process is delightfully cyclical:
The process is delightfully cyclical:
- Borrow: You browse a physical card catalog filled with packets of heirloom vegetable, herb, and flower seeds.
- Grow: You take the packets home, plant them in your garden, and nurture them throughout the growing season.
- Return: In the autumn, you harvest a few seeds from your mature, successful plants and return those new seeds to the library to replenish the inventory for next spring's gardeners.
It is an entirely free way to cultivate a thriving backyard garden while connecting with local green thumbs.
Ready to explore what's available in your area?
Since each library system is set up differently based on its community, the items you can borrow may vary from one town to another.
Start by checking your local public library's website. Look for sections labeled "Library of Things," "Makerspace," "Beyond Books," or "Special Collections." If you don't see anything listed online, feel free to ask a librarian at the circulation desk. They're always happy to help you discover all the cool things your library has to offer.
Grab your library card, save some cash, and enjoy the fun of borrowing without spending a lot!