For many people, the public library is still primarily associated with books. But the Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry (SDG) Library is offering families a growing collection of resources that go well beyond books, including the Library of Things and MakerLab.
Through its Library of Things, patrons can borrow non-traditional items designed to support practical, recreational, and educational needs. The collection includes activity kits, musical instruments, games, mobile hotspots, eReaders, and tablets.
The Library of Things collection is based at the Finch Branch, but items can be requested online and sent to any of the library’s 15 branches for pickup. An SDG library card is free to anyone who works, studies, or lives within the SDG Counties and can be obtained through the library’s website or at any of its 15 locations.
SDG Library Communications and Marketing Coordinator Maria Steffen said that the goal is to give people an opportunity to access items they may want to try before purchasing, or that they may not otherwise be able to afford. Steffen said providing these resources can help reduce financial barriers while encouraging curiosity, learning, and exploration.
A child interested in learning guitar, for example, can borrow an instrument to see whether the interest continues before a family invests in one. A family can also try different board games before deciding which ones to purchase.
Steffen said some of the most popular items are digital resources such as mobile hotspots, iPads, and Kobo eReaders, as well as museum and park passes that give families access to cultural and recreational experiences.
The collection includes more than 70 board games, along with 16 different nature and outdoor activity kits. Nature kits provide another way for families to get outdoors, explore local trails, and learn together, while board games can provide an indoor activity that encourages teamwork and problem-solving.
The Library of Things can also help turn a library visit into a family activity. Museum and park passes can allow families to visit local attractions without paying admission, leaving more of their budget for other expenses such as meals, parking, or souvenirs.
The MakerLab, described by Steffen as its creative hub, is based in Finch and combines traditional library services with hands-on tools for design, creativity, and innovation. The library also offers MakerLab programming and some equipment to other branches.
Visitors can use equipment to 3D print, cut vinyl, and create sublimated designs for mugs, T-shirts, and tote bags. The space also has equipment for creating banners and posters, laser engraving on wood and acrylic, and making buttons for events and celebrations.
For children, the focus is not simply on completing a predetermined project. The MakerLab encourages children to develop their own ideas, experiment, and find solutions.
Library staff can provide guidance on how to use the equipment, but participants are encouraged to determine what they want to create. The process gives children an opportunity to test ideas, adapt their projects, and build confidence in their abilities.
Most MakerLab equipment can be used during regular library visits, although some of the more advanced equipment requires an appointment, training, or staff assistance. Certain equipment also has age requirements and may require a parent or guardian to be present.
While books remain at the heart of the library’s services, the Library of Things and MakerLab reflect a broader role for public libraries: providing families with opportunities to learn, create, experiment, and access resources they might not otherwise have at home.
As the collection continues to expand based on community feedback, Steffen said the SDG Library aims to make useful tools, creative equipment, and new experiences more accessible to the communities it serves.
