There are many examples of various items in Libraries of Things , Blues’ Bags , Book Club Bags. I decided to go out into the wild (local libraries) to see what my libraries have to offer. Of course, I decided to venture out on a Sunday when my local libraries are closed. So I packed some muffins and orange juice and headed out to the Orange County Libraries, which are open on Sundays. I ended up at the Cypress Public Library. They have a fabulous Library of Things, which exceeded my expectations. You can check out games and the like, but what stood out were items such as a pasta maker, dog agility set, tilt stand mixer (similar to KitchenAid) , jump starter with air compressor, and a mini electric pressure cooker. 

However, there is also a Children’s Library of Things, which I had never seen before. There are backpacks for Kindergarten Readiness that focus on math, understanding feelings, and celebrating differences. There are also family and community backpacks. These backpacks are a valuable resource for families preparing for kindergarten and beyond. The families can focus on certain aspects of getting ready for school, whether it be academic or social.

I find the Library of Things children’s backpack to be important. They are a form of outreach. While taking various  MLIS classes, I find myself wanting to be that type of librarian: archivist, school librarian, etc. However, the one that has stuck with me the most is being an Outreach Librarian. The backpacks are a great Outreach-To-Go program. Families may not have the time, opportunity, or transportation to attend events to prepare children for schooling. The library can fill that gap. Families can work on academics and social skills on their own time. 

The Library of Things for children can also fit an inclusion gap. Some children with disabilities, such as autism or ADHD, can get overwhelmed easily in an environment that is overstimulating. These bags are a great way for children to gain these skills while taking any neurodivergent sensitivities into account. This makes the library more accessible, which is what we want in a hyperlinked world.