A diamond showing items from the library of things, including pliers, a guitar and more.
Library of Things Collection
Did you know the Barberton Public Library loans more than books, movies, magazines, and music? Our Library of Things Collection is now ready to be checked out!

The Library of Things is a collection of non-traditional materials including equipment, gadgets, tools, games, kits, electronics, and more — all available to check out for free with a library card. Need something for a one-time project or want to try before you buy? Explore the collection and discover your next new Thing to borrow!

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June 2015: Viminy Crowe's Comic Book by Marthe Jocelyn & Richard Scrimger - An exciting read for everyone who loves comic books!

“… he felt a tap on his shoulder.  Superman was standing behind him.
            ‘Mind if I butt in here, sonny?  I’m in a hurry.’
The square jaw, the dark curl over the forehead, the muscles, the blue tights – he was perfect.  His hand rested for a second on Wylder’s shoulder.  A man in line took a photo with his cell phone.  Wylder tried to act casual.

January 2014 - The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt - a fun read for the whole family!

“Got to go way, way back into yesterday and the yesterday before that, maybe a million yesterdays, actually more than a million, a gazillion yesterdays, to hear about the Sugar Man.  Got to go back to when the sea had only barely rolled its way south into the Gulf of Mexico and left behind the slow-moving Bayou Tourterelle, which meandered through the middle of a wide, open marsh.

February 2014 - The School for Good & Evil by Soman Chainani - a great read for Middle Schooler's who like fantasy!

“No wonder princesses were so impotent in fairy tales she thought.  If all they could do was smile, stand straight, and speak to squirrels, then what choice did they have but to wait for a boy to rescue them?”  pg. 128 Agatha The School for Good & Evil

JUNE 2014 - Dead City by James Ponti - ZOMBIES!!! The first book in a fun new Zombie series written for older elementary and middle school students.

“It all began in 1896,” he started to explain.  “A group of miners was digging one of New York’s first subway tunnels when an explosion killed all thirteen men in the crew.” … “… the explosion that killed them also blasted open a deep pocket of Manhattan schist.” … “… an extremely dense and strong  type of bedrock.” … “The only place on earth it’s found is underneath Manhattan.  Without it, New York couldn’t have all of its skyscrapers.  It’s what makes the city possible.  And it’s also what makes the undead possible.” … “Some energy force from

JULY 2014 - Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting by Erin Dionne - an adventurous read for middle school students, especially boys!

“ ’Hey!’ I blurted out to the retreating pink T-shirt.  She raised a hand without turning around.  ‘We’ll talk later!’  Han Solo would say ‘I got a bad feeling about this.’  I did too.”  Ollie pg. 63, Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting

AUGUST 2014 - Jake and Lily by Jerry Spinelli - a good read for older elementary and middle school students

“As I was wandering around the beach that day, in and out of all those people and blankets, it felt as if Jake was walking right beside me.  As if he was poking me in the ribs and saying, ‘Look at that! … Look at that!’  I guess it had been that way all our life, but the beach day brought it to our attention.”  Lily pg. 54-55, Jake and Lily

SEPTEMBER 2014 - Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh - a fun read for older elementary school students, both girls and boys!

“ ‘ You see the same people every day?’
            ‘Yes. This year I have the Dei Santi family, Little Joe Curry, the Robinsons, Harrison Withers, and a new one, Mrs. Plumber.  Mrs. Plumber is the hardest because I have to get in the dumbwaiter.’
            ‘Can I go with you sometime?’
‘No, silly.  Spies don’t go with friends.  Anyway, we’d get caught if there were two of us.  Why don’t you get your own route?’

OCTOBER 2014 - The Frankenstein Journals by Scott Sonneborn - a fun read for Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans who like their scary a little silly!

“It was a photo of a baby being held by … FRANKENSTEIN’S MONSTER!” … “On the back of the photo was a note: One day, you’ll know why I had to leave forever.  But I want you to have this so you’ll know where you came from.  Love, Dad” … “HOLY CRUD … My dad was Frankenstein’s MONSTER!” J.D., pg. 10 - 12 The Frankenstein Journals