When you think of a library, rows of books probably pop into your mind. Yet the world of libraries stretches far beyond printed pages – there are dozens of places that lend out everything from musical gear to living stories. In fact, these 10 clever libraries prove you can check out almost anything you can imagine, as long as you know where to look!
Why 10 Clever Libraries Matter
10 Tool Library
Ever found yourself needing a specific gadget for a one‑off project? That’s where a tool library swoops in, offering community members the chance to borrow power drills, hedge trimmers, ladders, and even heavyweight jackhammers. The very first tool library opened its doors in Columbus, Ohio, back in 1976, and today it circulates more than 4,800 tools to folks who either can’t afford or simply don’t want to purchase pricey equipment they’ll only use once.
Since that pioneering start, similar hubs have sprouted worldwide, enabling neighbors to share resources and finish their DIY dreams. So the next time you need a drain snake, a reciprocating saw, or any niche implement, swing by your local tool library and give it a spin!
Ready to hunt one down? Use the handy finder to locate the nearest tool library and start borrowing today!
9 Toy Library
Kids grow up in a flash, and their toys outgrow them even faster. Toy libraries step in to give those beloved playthings a second life—or even prevent a brand‑new purchase altogether. Frequently attached to traditional book libraries, toy libraries let children check out toys, saving parents cash while keeping plastic out of landfills.
The longest‑running toy library still operates in Los Angeles County. It began in 1935 when a store owner, frustrated by kids stealing toys, decided to lend them out for free. Today the program serves roughly 35,000 youngsters each year, providing access to the most essential childhood resource: play.
U.S. families can hunt for nearby toy libraries or explore the International Toy Library Association for a global perspective.
8 Musical Instrument Library
Dreaming of strumming a ukulele? The Musical Instrument Lending Library in Brooklyn lets you walk away with eight ukuleles, plus guitars, cowbells, and even steel drums. Over in Lafayette, the “M.I.Brary” can hook you up with an accordion, thanks to founder Dr. Ryan Cazares, who wondered why Grammy‑winning talent might never emerge simply because they can’t afford an instrument.
These public services give anyone the chance to try out an instrument, learn a new skill, or just jam for fun, helping to make the world a more musical place.
Many community libraries also stock musical gear for checkout, so keep an eye out at your local branch.
7 Gear Library
Getting outside is fantastic for all ages, but the cost of camping, hiking, and backpacking gear can quickly climb into the hundreds before you even step out the front door. Gear libraries exist to loan that equipment to casual adventurers, lowering the barrier to outdoor fun.
Families in Nature runs a Texas‑based gear library that can outfit roughly a hundred campers at once with tents, sleeping pads, backpacks, and headlamps. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers’ gear library in Washington even stocks winter sports gear like skis, aiming to make recreation more inclusive for underserved communities.
These libraries are a brilliant way to get people outside, exploring nature without breaking the bank.
6 Puzzle Library
Got a dusty jigsaw sitting in a cupboard? Donate it to a puzzle library, where enthusiasts can swap pieces and discover new challenges. The online Jigsaw Puzzle Swap Exchange has facilitated over 6,100 puzzle swaps, letting members request specific puzzles or match their preferences.
Many puzzle libraries have grassroots origins. In Arlington, Allegra Jabo launched the Douglas Park Little Free Puzzle Library during the pandemic, lending out over 300 puzzles donated by neighbors from her own entryway. She now seeks a permanent home. Other groups operate via private Facebook groups or community centers, always eager to welcome fresh members.
So whether you’re a seasoned puzzler or a curious newcomer, there’s a puzzle library waiting for you.
5 Seed Library
Seed libraries blend education with nutrition, letting gardeners “borrow” seeds at planting time and then return a portion of the harvested seeds for future growers. Their mission often focuses on preserving local biodiversity by collecting rare heirloom varieties not widely available.
The Global Seed Vault in Svalbard safeguards backups of over a million crop seed varieties, sealed behind thick rock and permafrost, only to be opened in the event of a global disaster. Meanwhile, local seed libraries keep varieties circulating, encouraging evolution as plants adapt to regional conditions. Kids learn where food originates, and avid gardeners help maintain neighborhood plant diversity.
Explore the worldwide list of seed libraries and discover one near you.
4 Board Game Library
During pandemic lockdowns, board game libraries surged as social hubs, offering communities a treasure trove of tabletop fun. With countless games on the market, no single family can own them all. These libraries bring together players of varied backgrounds and languages—think language‑independent titles like Qwirkle—to foster community, cooperation, or just a good‑natured family rivalry.
Some libraries let you check games out for home play, while others run pay‑to‑play sessions on site, charging hourly fees. Librarians even get crafty with 3D printers, recreating lost or broken pieces so the fun never ends.
Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or a casual gamer, a board game library can level up your social life.
3 Sourdough Library
Bakers, rejoice! The Puratos Sourdough Library in Sankt Vith, Belgium, preserves sourdough cultures from around the globe. Over a hundred bakers from 23 countries contributed samples, and today more than 2,500 starters are registered online. Lab tests have uncovered over 1,400 distinct strains of wild yeast and lactic bacteria.
Founded in 1989 by bakery‑supply company Puratos, the collection requires each sample to stem from a spontaneous fermentation—not a commercial starter. Cultures sit in mason jars within a temperature‑controlled environment, refreshed with their original flour every two months to keep the heritage alive for future generations. Dough librarian Karl De Smedt describes the bubbling jars as “nothing less than history.” While it remains the sole sourdough library, virtual tours let you peek inside.
So next time you bake, remember the global community preserving the art of sourdough.
2 Human Library
“Don’t judge a book by its cover” comes to life at the Human Library—known as “Menneskebiblioteket”—in Copenhagen, Denmark. Here, the “books” are volunteers from often‑stigmatized groups: people with autism, naturists, extreme body‑modders, and more. The nonprofit invites visitors to sit down for a conversation, aiming to break down prejudice and nurture a more inclusive society.
Since its launch in 2000, which welcomed over a thousand guests in the first week, the Human Library has expanded to activities in more than 80 countries. If you ever struggle to understand another’s perspective, why not “borrow” a human and ask? An app is even in development to help connect people.
The initiative proves that the most powerful books have stories, not pages.
1 Library of Things
Still can’t find what you need? Dive into a Library of Things, a global movement championing waste reduction and a sharing economy. These libraries loan everything from party supplies to sewing machines, giving communities access to seldom‑used items without the need to purchase them.
Libraries of Things pop up worldwide—from the Sharing Depot in Ontario to Leila in Berlin. Rebecca Trevalyan, founder of a London‑based library, explained, “We were students living in tiny flats with limited space and tight budgets. We didn’t need to own a drill, a lawnmower, or a sound system, but we needed them now and then, and it would be brilliant to have them on hand.”
Beyond saving cash, these libraries weave a tighter community fabric, letting neighbors share resources—whether a ten‑person tent, rainbow carrot seeds, or a fresh perspective. Have you visited any of these unconventional libraries? Now that you know what’s out there, what will you borrow next?