Need to borrow some cookware for a special meal, or want to get your hands on a telescope to view Mars on the edge of the crescent moon later this month? Get a Jefferson Public Library card and you could check these things out for two weeks at a time.
"Beyond Books: The Library of Things" allows library cardholders check out practical items, everything from cookware to astronomy equipment. It begins at the Terrytown branch with a kickoff event Saturday, May 20, and will expand to other branches, with the ultimate goal of having collections of "things" at all 17 branches.
"Our Jefferson Parish Library continues to take its offerings to the next level and extend its services in new ways that help our community," said Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng. "The Library of Things is a creative extension of what our Jefferson Parish Library has to offer, allowing those with a library card to access items they can use at home or try before they buy."
Cookware like baking sheets, cookie cutter, even an air fryer or Instant Pot will be available. People can check out a sewing machine, a Fujiflm Instax camera, or even a telescope.
"The Library of Things movement is a growing trend in public, academic and special libraries in many countries," said Jessica Styons, director of the Jefferson Parish Library. "This is another way the Jefferson Parish Library will connect our residents to the resources they need and want, bringing our services to the next level."
