Guest column: Tales from the library (copy) | Opinion

0

This week I’m writing about some of the unusual things we can check out at the Tillamook County Library. These early elements have been in our system for some time, but not many people are familiar with them. They are called the book club kits, and anyone who has been to a book club would call it the best idea in the world. Why? Because otherwise everyone in your book club has to go out and buy a $ 25 book that they might not even like. If you choose one of our many book club kit titles, we’ve taken all the hassle out of the way. Each kit contains 10 copies of the book, discussion questions, and a reading group leader’s guide. Kits are withdrawn for six weeks and can be reserved up to a year in advance. To reserve a book club kit or for more information, please call the Tillamook Library at 503-842-4792 ext 1760. If you would like to see a list of available titles, go to our website and look under the “our services” tab.

Now let’s take a look at what we call our “library of things”. This is a relatively new trend among public libraries where progressive minds think of “things” that we can offer to the public that go far beyond the latest bestselling book. The first thing I want to highlight is a very powerful 4.5 “Orion Star Blast reflector telescope! You heard that right! Now you can take home this awesome telescope that will give you a breathtaking view of the stars, planets and mountains. other objects in the sky. It comes with some objectives and a user guide that will allow you to observe the stars in a fantastic way. Now all we need is a clear sky!

On a related note, we also have some very advanced binoculars that you can check out in your library. Although they are not as powerful as the telescope, they are certainly easier to transport. You can observe objects in the night sky, use them for bird watching or observe wildlife. They come packed with a manual and pocket guides to help you get the most out of the binoculars.

If you’d rather stay indoors, our WiFi hotspots may be something you want to check out. This is for those of you who do not have the Internet at home. If you take one of our hotspots at home, just plug it in and you can connect your personal device (smartphone, computer, laptop or tablet) to the hotspot signal and browse the Internet as you wish. …free! The only catch is that you have to live in an area that already has cell phone reception. You don’t need to have a cell phone or data plan … you just need a device to connect with.

Next, our jewelry making tool kits. We have a lot of hobbyists in Tillamook County, and this little package contains many items you need for jewelry making. Five different types of pliers are included: flat nose, chain nose, round nose, side cut and end cut pliers. The tools are all packed in a practical travel packaging with a plastic case.

Finally, we still have some ukuleles to take home with you. If you’ve ever wanted to play one of the easiest instruments to learn, you must give the ukulele a try. The uke comes with a handy carrying case that includes a ukulele, tuner, and a small instruction booklet.

We feel like we’re just starting out in our library of things. What useful items do you think we should make available for payment? We’ve heard of libraries that offer board games, sports equipment, fishing rods, kayaks, karaoke machines, bicycles, sewing machines, and even video game consoles for customers to take home. them and try. Let us know what you would like and maybe your idea will be the next exciting addition to our library of things.

Share.

Comments are closed.