Erie,
Pennsylvania’s Blasco Library loans out fishing poles and tackle
boxes, while several branches of the Chicago Public Library run a
“Rods and Reads” program that provides poles and tackle sets for
adults and kids.
Many libraries lend out passes for free or discounted admission to
museums and other institutions. In Michigan, the Library Network
provides “Michigan Activity Passes” for admission or discounts at
more than 100 museums, galleries, and other institutions across the
state. Georgia libraries have passes for Georgia State Parks and
historic sites that provide admission for four people and cover
parking fees.
Libraries in Ann Arbor, Minneapolis, Iowa City, Aurora, Ill., and
Braddock, Penn. have original artwork, prints, posters, and even
sculptures that you can take home and display.
The Chicago Public Library and New York Public Library both loan out
mobile hotspots so patrons can have mobile broadband Internet access
at home or on the go.
Arizona’s Pima County Public Library has seeds for hundreds of types
of vegetables, herbs, and flowers that patrons can take home and
plant in their gardens. The library encourages borrowers to save and
donate seeds from their grown plants.
Berkeley and Oakland public libraries both have a variety of
carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical, and landscaping tools to
lend out. The Ann Arbor library has a tool collection, but focuses
on uncommon tools like thermal leak detectors and air quality
meters.
The Forbes Library in Northampton, Mass. has banjos, bongos, and
ukuleles to lend.
Libraries around the world host “human library” programs where
visitors can sit down with human 'books' and learn about their
different cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences.