'Odds And Ends' To Borrow Showcased At Oak Lawn Library ‘Thing Fair’

OAK LAWN, IL —There’s more to the Oak Lawn Public Library than books, movies, music, and audio and e-books to lend out. How about a guitar or sewing machine? Or an educational tablet for your kids?

The Oak Lawn library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave., will host an all-ages “Thing Fair,” Saturday, Jan. 28. The fair showcasing the wide array of items available at the library beyond books runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Science kits, sewing machines, karaoke sets, cake pans and guitars—even a tent. All these items and more are available for check out at the Oak Lawn library.

“Most patrons expect libraries to have books and magazines. They are shocked to find out that they can check out video game controllers or a record turntable from the library,” programming librarian Kate Donley said in a news release. “Our library offers much more than books.”

Borrowable “things” range from Wi-Fi hot spots to instant cameras to Learning Boxes for children. Youth Services recently added educational tablets called Launchpads that come preloaded with learning activities and games in all subjects for ages 3 through teen. Adult Services offers a collection called Beyond Books that has hundreds of items in nine categories including technology, recreation, photography, health, DIY, baking tools and musical instruments.

“Patrons can try out new hobbies or save money by using something for just a weekend, like a ukulele, circuit breaker finder, scanner or LCD projector,” Donley continued.

Patrons will have a chance to explore the library’s “things” for themselves. The event is open to anyone to attend. Oak Lawn patrons or patrons with cards from other SWAN libraries can check out “things” right at the event. Music, contests, a live Minecraft box game and a musical instrument petting zoo.