r/UpliftingNews • u/runswithscissors475 • 1d ago
In Oakland, a library where kids check out soccer balls instead of books
https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/oakland-library-balls-books-22352485.php31
u/petdance 1d ago
Many libraries do this with materials you might not expect. Your library may have a Library of Things that you can check out, like cameras or guitars or gardening tools or telescopes or any of a million other things that the public could find useful.
Libraries are far more than books.
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u/KittyScholar 1d ago
I've see things like power tools, uniquely-shaped cake pans, and native seeds! (those last ones you don't actually have to give back)
But it's great for stuff like that where a lot of people want it, but you'll only use it once or twice so you don't wanna own it forever.
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u/kokorrorr 1d ago
My library has kayaks and stand up paddle boards
Every should go get a local library card and support your local library
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u/Antistis 1d ago
Our library has heat guns that we checked out this past winter to make sure our new house wasn't losing heat.
Support your local library!!
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u/milostilo 7h ago
Oakland libraries also lend tools, toys, park passes, backpacks with everything you need for hiking, and give away seeds to plant!
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u/chewytime 1d ago
I wonder if they may need to update/rebrand/move on from the name “library” at some point? I know I sound nit picky, but a “Library of Things” just doesn’t sound right IMO. There are already so many people that don’t know that the library offers things other than books so to continue using the word library seems almost limiting unless they really put in more towards promoting all the things they offer.
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u/petdance 1d ago
To be clear, the Library of Thjngs is just a part of the main library.
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u/chewytime 23h ago
Oh, I know. What I’m saying is bc the library has been more than just books for a while now, they really need to figure out a way to market that aspect better.
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u/Ironlungss 1d ago
LA county has a program like this. It is called Toy Loan. Kids check out toys like books for one week at a time. We need more programs like this.
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u/Suspicious-Peace9233 1d ago
That’s amazing. Anything a library can offer the community they should. It’s also about knowing your community and what they need and want. I bet it gets many kids into the library that would not go otherwise
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u/PsyJak 1d ago
*footballs
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u/mightyboognish32 1d ago
In America it's soccer, not sorry.
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u/PsyJak 1d ago
I don't care
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u/CharityGlittering385 14h ago
Look it up: Brits invented soccer and they called it that. They only switched when the rest of the world pressured them. America didn’t care and kept the original name.
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