Library of Things

Did you know we have a special collection of switch-adapted and sensory toys that can be checked out from Lakeview Library? An adapted toy activates with an adaptive switch, which lets adults and children with disabilities interact with electronics with a button press, eye blink, mouth puff or other motion. The user can use their switch to tell the toy to move, make sounds or flash lights.

Check it Out: Ask at the front desk, call 608-246-4547 or email: lakeview@madisonpubliclibrary.org.

Loan Period: 14 days

Check out a backpack containing everything you need to try birding for the first time! Birding Backpacks include 1 pair of binoculars for adults, 1 pair of binoculars for kids, 1 Sibley's field guide for adults, 1 youth field guide from Madison Audubon and 1 location guide to help you explore potential birding spots near each library. Two Birding Backpacks are available at each library location. This is a walk-in collection meaning no holds are available and backpacks are distributed on a first-come, first serve basis. LEARN MORE

Check it Out: Ask at the front desk or call your library location to inquire. 

Loan Period: 7 days.

Use your library card to try out Disc Golf at one of the local courses in Madison. Thanks to a partnership between Madison Parks and Madison Public Library, members of the public can check out disc golf kits from every library location. Each kit consists of a Play Madison Parks bag, four discs – a driver, a fairway driver, a mid-range, and a putter, plus local course maps, rules and etiquette, and information about the lending program. When checking out, users will keep their receipt and use it as their permit to play the disc golf courses for free.

Check it Out: Ask at the front desk or call your library location to inquire. 

Loan Period: 7 days

Madison Public Library is part of a new pilot from Fiskars to distribute their products in a socially responsible manner. This attempt to fight throwaway culture has resulted in a pilot program where they provide product kits for checkout from libraries to reduce waste and provide a valuable tool to the community. The pilot is available exclusively at Pinney Library. SEE WHAT KITS ARE AVAILABLE

Check it Out: Ask at the front desk, call 608-224-7100 or email pinney@madisonpubliclibrary.org.

Loan Period: 14 days

Borrow a portable energy meter, just like you would a book, to determine appliance energy consumption and help make your equipment decisions. MGE has donated many of these popular meters to area libraries, and you can check them out for up to a month.

Check it Out: Find and/or reserve a meter online by searching "Portable Energy Meter" in LINKcat.

Loan Period: 28 days.

Madison Public Library's Seed Library has become incredibly popular! Library visitors can pick up herb, flowers and produce seeds from Spring to Fall to use at home. No library card or checkout is required. Simply visit the 5 participating locations (Goodman South Madison, Meadowridge, Lakeview, Pinney and Sequoya Libraries) and pick up a packet of seeds. In Fall and Winter, the Seed Library switches to offering Native Wisconsin Seeds, which need to be over-wintered. LEARN MORE

Check it Out: This collection doesn't require a library card. Simply visit a participating location and pick up seed packets. 

Loan Period: Free to take, no return necessary.

Both Monroe Street Library and Central Library have vinyl records available for checkout. Just search in LINKcat for LP/Vinyl and you'll see our great collection, which includes everything from Taylor Swift to Hedwig and the Angry Inch to Led Zepplin. Or visit in-person to browse the record selection.

Check it Out: Search online in LINKcat and change the format to LP/Vinyl to see the collection or visit in-person at Central Library or Monroe Street Library to browse the record selection.

Loan Period: 28 days.

Stem Kits

Explore everything from simple tools and machines, to magnetism, to color and light. Each Madison Public Library Early Childhood STEM kit contains a set of resources, books, and activities to explore a different aspect of Science, Technology, Engineering or Math for children from 3-5 years old. Many of these activities are ones that you can do at home with simple materials - most materials are included, but some may need to be purchased prior to using the kit (ie: construction paper, pom poms, etc.). These kits are available for check out to early childcare centers, preschools, and 4K classrooms in the city of Madison for 4-6 week periods. If you are an early childhood educator and would like to know more, send us an email to youth@madisonpubliclibrary.org. BROWSE KITS

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