Public libraries have traditionally circulated materials such as books, books, and books.
Sometime in the 1980s, libraries in North America began circulating VHS tapes, giving low-income patrons the opportunity to borrow new movies they otherwise couldn’t afford to see in a theatre or rent from a video store.
As the VHS format was replaced by DVDs and Blu-rays, libraries began to circulate these as well.
In fact, libraries have become a lifeline for these formats as brick-and-mortar video stores have shut down, replaced by streaming services.
However, not everyone can afford the monthly cost of multiple streaming services, and so libraries, like Airdrie Public Library (APL), continue to offer these non-traditional items in their collections.
However, libraries don’t only loan out the latest hit movie, they also have collections of things.
If you’ve been in the facility recently, you might have noticed our Library of Things at Customer Service.
This type of collection has become a common sight in public libraries for the simple reason that not everyone has the financial ability to purchase an item they may be curious about or may only use once.
Most Alberta libraries have a collection of things, and they tend to reflect patrons’ needs.
For instance, Cochrane, an active community on the edge of the Foothills, offers camping gear, while Okotoks, a picturesque community with grand views of the Rockies, has a collection of film equipment.
At APL, we have a collection ranging from health and wellness to technology, to household and sports items, to preschool and school-aged resources.
With your library card, you can borrow a Pickleball or Disc Golf set, a multimeter, a radon detector, a soil tester, crochet hooks or knitting needles, a light pad, Chrome Books, Galaxy tablets, iPads, a Happy Light, a pedometer, Go-Pros, and much more.
To learn more about our Library of Things, visit www.airdriepubliclibrary.ca
