I Love Libraries recently posted a map showing unusual items circulated by libraries. Wyoming didn’t make the map, although plenty of nontraditional items pass through patrons’ hands in this state. Here are a few of them.
Just added to the Gillette College Library catalog: lots o’rocks.
Gillette College just added a set of rocks and a set of minerals as part of their textbook reserves. The sets will be for in-library use by geology students. The sets are pricey, heavy, and awkward, so making them available is a great service to students. If they prove to be popular, the library may add more. Gillette College also circulates graphing calculators to students only.
Weston County Library circulates cake pans at both its libraries. The main library in Newcastle has 145 items including cake pans, Jell-O molds, candy molds and confection stencils. Upton Branch Library also has several cake pans.
Amanda Sanford, Weston County Library Children’s Services Librarian, said that many of the pans are checked out frequently and they often receive comments on what a “neat” idea it is to offer them. Amanda also sent us the wonderful photo of her daughter’s third birthday party, the cake baked in a Strawberry Shortcake pan from the collection.
Feeling artistic? Dubois Branch Library has a two-hour loan period for their colored pencils, Crayola pens, and gel pens for patrons who want to do adult coloring activities.
Park County Library offers Powell Makerspace passes at their Cody, Meeteetse, and Powell Libraries. Passes are good for two weeks: no holds, no fines, no renewals. The Makerspace offers children and adults the opportunity to take classes ranging from 3D printing to robotics to digitized embroidery and to use a wide variety of specialized equipment. The Cody library has Makerspace examples to offer inspiration.
Big Piney’s sewing machine
Sublette County Library – Pinedale circulates American Girl Dolls, cake pans, and a magnifying floor lamp for crafts and sewing. The Big Piney Branch also has the dolls. Additionally, they have a sewing machine that circulates.
We suspect there are some other interesting collection items out there. Did we miss your library? Please share your unusual items in the comments!