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Borrow a telescope, laptop, ukulele, and more from the Library of Things

Some branches within Washington County Cooperative Library Services offer a collection of nontraditional items, like board games and DIY kits, for library card holders to borrow.

Library shelves containing board games and other items.

Some Library of Things items might be useful for those who only need them once, while others — like Cricut paper cutters — are handy to try before buying from a store.

Photo by Beaverton City Library

Merriam-Webster defines the word library as “a place in which literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials (such as books, manuscripts, recordings, or films) are kept for use but not for sale.” At many Washington County libraries, the definition is a bit broader.

Some branches within Washington County Cooperative Library Services offer a collection called the Library of Things. Depending on the location, community members will find items like board games, WiFi hotspots, Chromebooks, household tools, sewing machines, and DIY kits. The one drawback? Depending on how popular the item is, a library card holder might be waiting a while before they get to borrow it.

Find a Library of Things at these locations:

  • Beaverton City Library Main
  • Beaverton City Library Murray Scholls
  • Bethany Library
  • Cedar Mill Library
  • Cornelius Public Library
  • Forest Grove City Library
  • Garden Home Community Library
  • Hillsboro Public Library, Brookwood
  • Hillsboro Public Library, Shute Park
  • North Plains Public Library
  • Sherwood Public Library
  • Tigard Public Library
  • Tualatin Public Library
  • West Slope Community Library
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