4 Things You Can Borrow From the Library Besides Books

A year or so ago, I noticed an article on a trend in libraries to let members borrow things that are not books, then another and another. Then I nearly ran head first into a display of baking pans at the West Chester Public Library and it got me wondering what else can you borrow besides books? Here's what I found.

Some things you can borrow from the West Chester Library:

1. Borrow a baking pan. Ever wish you could bake a cake in the shape of a gingerbread boy or throw the ultimate princess party complete with magic castle? Now you can. The West Chester library has a variety of cake pans available for borrowing. You must be a cardholder in good standing and you can keep the pans for up to three weeks (in case that first try doesn’t go the way you hoped).
2. Research your ancestry with a free access to Ancestry.com. This one is a combination of new and old. Among the more traditional uses of the library you still have access to all the local archives and historical documents (much of this is offered in partnership with the Chester County Historical Society) but if your ancestors weren’t local, you can use the library’s membership to Ancestry.com to access their global archives for free.
3. Test a learning tablet. Having a hard time getting your elementary schooler interested in learning or looking for an educational alternative to screen time? Borrow a Launchpad pre-loaded learning tablet from the children’s department and let your child go wild.
4. Check out digital copies of your favorite book. Prefer to read on your phone or tablet? You are not alone, according to the latest research from the Pew Research Center, just over 25% of the population does. The library stocks digital licences of many books. The process to borrow is the same as with a traditional book - including the wait list for popular titles.
5. Visit a museum or go to the zoo. Members of the Chester County library system (you, if you have a library card) can borrow complimentary passes to various museums, zoos and other organizations in the area including the Elmwood Park Zoo and Eastern State Penitentiary.

Just note, the passes need to be picked up and returned to the library that holds the pass and none of the passes are held at the West Chester library. Also fines for lost passes can be pretty steep - lose the pass to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia and it will cost you $124 dollars to replace.

This expansion beyond book lending is all part of the evolution for the modern library. With countless ways to access content digitally, local libraries have had to find new and often interesting ways to meet the needs of the community. The West Chester Library is continually exploring new ways to engage members from its popular story time for its youngest members to oreo poker for the slightly older and this fall they even offered an escape room for the young at heart. Check out their events calendar for all their latest activities.

Cara Corridoni is a member of the West Chester Sustainability Advisory Committee and editor of Hello, West Chester, a blog dedicated to sharing local news and happenings.