Library of Things

Looking for a new hobby or fitness activity to add to your exercise routine? The Library of Things is a collection of crafts, fitness equipment, experiences and more that you can check out with your library card. Learn more about each "thing" and check availability or place a hold. Items can be checked out for three weeks at a time.

Read More

The Library of Things is a collection of non-traditional library items that complement the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library’s mission to foster personal growth and life-long learning for all by connecting people with ideas, information, and each other. This collection of games, An opportunity to "try before you buy".

From knitting and calligraphy kits to hand therapy tools and resistance bands, the Library of Things is full of equipment and experiences

Suggestions

Want to make a suggestion? Send ideas to reference@jmrl.org.

Chromebooks

Yes! JMRL welcomes library card holders to use its laptops for civic, creative, cultural, educational, personal, or business activities. Library laptops and peripheral equipment are available at JMRL branches for use during hours when the Library is open on equal terms to all card holders in the community. Laptops are provided on a first come, first served basis. More than one laptop cannot be checked out to the same card at the same time. Laptops are for in-house use only; they may not leave the building. See the In-House Laptop Use Procedure below for full details.

Kill-A-Watt Electricity Usage Electricity Usage

Library patrons interested in lowering their residential electricity bill can check out this plug-in device to measure if appliances or gadgets are excessively sucking up energy. The Kill A Watt monitor kit includes simple instructions, a Do-It-Yourself Energy Savings Guide, and contact information for additional tips and tools.

Check Availability

Blood Pressure Kit Health Kits

To promote healthy living, choose from JMRL's Health Kits; read about them and then visit the catalog to place a hold on one today

About the Kits  

Check Availability

Knitting Kit Maker Kits

Maker Kits allow you to learn a new technology, skill, or recreational activity at your own pace and in your own place by providing materials and instructions. Read about the different Maker Kits available, and then visit the catalog to place a hold on one today.

About the Kits

Check Availability

Memory Kit BagsMemory Kits

The Memory Kits were designed by a pair of Outreach librarians, Kathryn Leide and Lynne Martin Erickson, to use with groups of seniors, of varying capabilities, to create interactive experiences. Each kit contains a variety of things for the senses including a dvd, a cd with sing-along booklets, things to touch, and things to smell. As the participants handle materials and hear familiar songs, it's not unusual for them to share their own memories.

Check Availability

Blue and Green Toy HelicopterToy Library

The Toy Library is a collection of 40 different toys that will encourage imaginative and dramatic play, promoting early literacy skills. All toys are cleaned and disinfected by volunteers at the University of Virginia Madison House after each check out.

About the Toys

Check Availability

Discovery Museum PassVirginia Discovery Museum Pass

Check out a pass for free general admission for up to four people, the loan period for these passes is 7 (seven) days. A limited number of these passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis at each branch, and they may be used multiple times during the loan period. Passes may be returned to any branch or dropped off at the Museum; they cannot be immediately renewed

Check Availability

Photo of state park backpack, showing guidebooks, park pass, net, magnifying glassVirginia State Parks Backpack

The backpack comes with a parking pass that allow access any Virginia State Park at no cost. Backpacks also feature pocket guides to bugs and slugs, animal tracks, Virginia birds and mammals, and Virginia trees and wildflowers; port-a-bug field observation container; Big Foot Leave No Trace Ethics Card; magnifying lens; dip net; and laminated sheets with suggested activities designed by both Virginia State Parks and the Science Museum of Virginia.

Check Availability

Frontier Culture Museum PassFrontier Culture Museum Pass

Check out a pass for free entry for up to 6 people, the loan period for these passes is 7 (seven) days. Passes must be returned to the Library after your visit and cannot be returned at the Frontier Culture Museum.

Check Availability

JMRL Wireless HotspotsWi-Fi Hotspot

Hotspots provide fast, filtered access to your personal device throughout most of the JMRL service area. Hotspots can be checked out for three weeks.

Patrons must submit a signed Hotspot User Agreement form before checking out a hotspot. Hot Spot User Agreement

Check Availability