A Look into the Library of Things
The Library of Things is a unique service offered to patrons of the Cozby Library and Community Commons. Cardholders over 18 can rent out an assortment of interesting items, from tote bags and umbrellas to a metal detector.
May 5, 2023
A mint green guitar, a bocce ball set, an oversized Jenga stack and a GoPro Hero 7 camera.
What could these items have in common?
The answer: They’re all available at the Cozby Library and Community Commons.
In an ever-evolving digital age, many libraries are now offering more than just reading material. Coppell’s local library has taken this concept and expanded it through the creation of the Library of Things.
The Library of Things is a unique service granted by the Cozby Library where card-holders, 18 and above, can checkout various objects from the library’s eclectic collection.
Items in the Library of Things range from typical household items – such as a standard toolbox and tote bags – to more one-off selections, like a microscope.
Librarian Jennifer Franz, who has served the Cozby Library for nearly 16 years, played a key part in developing the Library of Things.
According to Franz, the idea of a Library of Things came from a library that rented out cake pans shaped like various objects, such as pirates and Pokémon. Franz said. “You wouldn’t want to spend $30 on it because this year your kid’s into Pokémon but next year they’ll be into something else.”
From the beginning, the Library of Things aimed to promote sustainability. The Library of Things’ objective is to instill good habits in Cozby’s patrons and support Coppell’s environmental initiatives. By offering an innovative solution to the all too common issue of overconsumption and waste, the library has accomplished just that.
When faced with the matter of what to offer in the Library of Things, Franz leaned towards items that people wouldn’t typically commit to spending money on.
“The idea is that, the Library of Things is for something that either you need one time, that you don’t necessarily want to buy, or you want to try it out before you buy it,” Franz said.
In addition to practical tools, such as a bicycle repair kit and energy meter, Franz noted the library was mindful about offering more expensive items that patrons may not be able to afford otherwise.
The process for renting an item from the Library of Things is as simple as checking out a book. Adult cardholders, Coppell ISD employees and Coppell city employees are welcome to check out “things.”
Items can be borrowed in three week increments and patrons are only permitted to check out one item at a time. The exception to this rule is tote bags and umbrellas, which are allowed to be checked out in addition to other things.
Consequently, the return process entails directly giving the item to an employee at the front desk during open hours. Items are not accepted through the book drop or drive-thru window.
Quality maintenance is a major tenet of the Library of Things, many standards have been put in place in order to ensure the integrity of its offerings. A significant amount of care is put into curating its items as there are further considerations that have to be taken into account for specific things.
“You want to make sure that you’ve got pictures of the items, you document everything that is included, what are the replacement costs, how do you package it so that it is safe when it’s being transported and given to the patrons,” Franz said. “We want people to acknowledge if something happens to Library Of Things items or if they don’t return them, we may charge for any damage.”
Being that the Library of Things was thought of prior to COVID-19, the Cozby Library has developed it over the years in accordance with the requests of its guests. Although the majority of the “things” are purchased using library funds, patrons can suggest items to be added.
The Library of Things is constantly being updated, with its most recent addition being a microscope fitted with specimens and four slide cases with five slides each, all donated by the Biodiversity Education Center.
In addition to the Library of Things, the Cozby Library has many other little-known services available to patrons of all ages. For younger children, the library provides themed backpacks with books, activities, puzzles and questions for parents to ask pertaining to the theme of the bag. For older audiences, a slew of board games and puzzles are offered along with curated “movie night” bundles.
“Libraries are always trying to be flexible and change and add things based on what the public wants, not stay in the past,” Franz said.
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