Explore our ever-growing Library of Things collection!
Please Note: All of these items must be picked up and returned to the owning library. Unless otherwise indicated, items circulate for two (2) weeks and are not renewable. To place a hold, please click on the highlighted collection to take you to the library's catalog. From there you can select the individual item and log in with your library card to place your hold. Please call the library if you need assistance.
Board Games
Take advantage of our board game collection when planning your family or friend game night!
WiFi Hotspots
Circulating WiFi Hotspots can be checked out by patrons who are over 13. They are available at our Central, East, and West libraries. Note: these items circulate for 2 weeks, and can be renewed once.
Chromebooks
Circulating Chromebooks can be checked out by patrons who are over 13. They are available at our Central, East, and West libraries. Note: these items circulate for 2 weeks, and can be renewed once.
Chromebook + Hotspot Kits
Circulating Chromebook/Hotspot Kits can be checked out by patrons who are over 13. They are available at our Central, East, and West libraries. Note: these items circulate for 2 weeks, and can be renewed once.
Disney+ Rokus
Rokus with Disney+ access can be checked out by patrons who are over 13. They are available at our Central, East, and West libraries. Note: these items circulate for 2 weeks, and can be renewed once.
Nintendo Switch Lites
Circulating Nintendo Switch Lites can be checked out by patrons who are over 13. They are available at our Central, East, and West libraries. Note: these items circulate for 2 weeks, and can be renewed once. Please note that the Switches do not come with games, but Switch games can be checked out separately from the Central Library Teen Room.
Digital Kitchen Scale
This Escali "Primo" Digital Scale is multifunctional and features an easy to use two-button operation, and has an 11lb capacity. It measures pounds, ounces and grams in .1oz/1g increments, lets you to reset the food scale to zero weight to measure multiple items or subtract the weight of container, and includes an automatic shut-off feature.
DVD Players
DVD players with built-in screens and speakers can be checked out by patrons who are over 13. They are available at our Central, East, and West libraries. Note: these items circulate for 2 weeks, and can be renewed once.
Birding Kit
It's always the right time to go birding! Our birding kit contains:
- Two sets of binoculars
- Two books: Sibley's Birding Basics by David Allen Sibley and Eastern Birds by Roger Tory Peterson
- Handouts and a list of web resources for local birdwatching
- Observation notebook for sharing what you spot
Hammocks
Coming soon!
Kill-a-Watt Electricity Monitor
This device (currently available at our Central and West libraries!) assesses how efficiently appliances work by displaying the power consumption by the kilowatt-hour.
Light Therapy Lamp
This device is designed to boost your mood, improve your sleep, enhance your focus, and kickstart your energy, by safely emitting a bright white light that mimics sunlight. Get up to 10,000 LUX from these light therapy lamps.
Musical Instruments
Our collection includes guitars and ukuleles.
Telescope 
Bring our Orion StarBlast 4.5" telescope on your next dark sky adventure! Available for Somerville residents only.
Toys
Our Children's Rooms offer a variety of toys you can play with at home!
ELL Kits
ELL Kits can be found in the ELL collection at Central Library. They are a great way to learn and practice English by doing fun activities. Each kit is a mixture of books, recipes, and realia such as board games, cake pans, and gardening tools.
The following kits are available for check out:
Learn about American cooking while using common kitchen tools, try new recipes, and improve your English vocabulary.
Learn about American baking while using common kitchen tools, try new recipes, and improve your English vocabulary.
Practice your English while playing language-based board games.
Learn about gardening in the city and in small spaces while also improving your English vocabulary.
Practice your English skills while reading aloud to children.
Learn about things to do and explore in Boston and New England including the Make Way For Ducklings Statues in the Boston Public Garden.