- Morgan R.
- Thursday, March 14
Introduced in 2019, The Library of Things collections are ever-growing and are now at our Main, Ballentine, Lower Richland and Edgewood locations. Customers can dive into new experiences without upfront costs, discovering ways to find entertainment or enhance their lives and homes through an array of useful items. From gardening tools, to camping tents, power tools to puzzles, feel free to explore all that the library has to offer without spending a dime!
Seed Libraries are also being expanded to more locations, where customers can grab up to 10 packets of seeds at a time, up to 30 packets per season.
HOW THE LIBRARY OF THINGS WORKS:
- Take a look at the inventory at the location nearest to you. You can select a branch by clicking on the dropdown menu on the left-hand side. You can either search for a specific item or narrow your search by browsing specific categories or select a location to browse their curated collections. *Please note: Items do not transfer between locations and must be picked up/dropped off at their designated location. A maximum of 3 items may be checked out at one time by cardholders over 18 with no outstanding fees greater than $10.
- Once you see an item you’d like to check out, click on “Reserve” and select the time frame you’d like to request it using the calendar pop-up. Reservations last for up to 7 days.
- Add the item to your cart and read and sign the waiver. You will get an email confirmation letting you know your reservation was received.
Richland Library is committed to increasing opportunities for equity and inclusion. As part of our efforts to engage underrepresented and underserved customers, we are adding assistive technology to our Library of Things collections.
One of the newest additions to the collection available for reservation, is the Ruby XL HD video magnifier by Freedom Scientific. This device is a great way to enlarge text for those with low vision. It features a built-in stand for hands free reading if desired. It has the power to magnify in high definition up to 14x to enlarge prescription labels, books, newspapers, and photographs and offers 20 high-contrast color viewing modes so that the text is easier on your eyes.
In addition to the Ruby magnifier, there are currently five portable Hearing Loop sets, two portable hearing loop receivers, and Braille playing cards.
OTHER LIBRARY RESOURCES
- Richland Library offers Homebound Book Delivery through the Books to You program. This program brings the library to you!
Our Main location is now offering Sensory Friendly Sundays once a month from 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm, lighting will be dimmed and escalators and music will be off. At 1:45 pm, we will slowly turn up lighting and turn on escalators and music for regular service hours. This initiative is designed to help support a sense of belonging and inclusiveness for individuals with sensory differences, including those on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing disorders for a more comfortable experience for perusing the library.
Richland Library Southeast has a therapeutic Multisensory Room which promotes intellectual stimulation, relaxation and calmness that can be reserved for up to 5 people at a time. The space includes Interactive bubble tube, nanoleaf canvas, fiber optic light spray, Rifton large activity Chair, sensory bins, and weighted blankets.
The Education Studio, located in the Children’s Room of Richland Library Main, is a fantastic resource for your family. With a specially designed studio space that is full of multisensory learning materials and three reading specialists on staff eager to meet with you, this area is dedicated to building confident readers. If you have a dyslexic reader in the household, also take a look at these resources in the Columbia area.
- The Safe at Home Learning Initiative began as a response to the Pandemic and has graciously been funded by the Lipscomb Family Foundation to continue today. Over 18 weeks, participants will receive nine Safe at Home Learning Kits to engage the whole family. Participation and kits include: Books to read together, STEAM activities, ELA activities, interactive, virtual check-ins, meets-up activities with other participating families. If your child is 5–20 years old and reads at a first to fourth grade level but has been academically or socially limited by chronic health concerns, consider applying for Safe at Home Learning. For information and applications, please contact: Sarah Westeren 803.509.8372 | swesteren@richlandlibrary.com.
- Many of our large programs and events offer sign language interpreters, or are live streamed on our YouTube channel with closed captioning available.
Did you know? Richland Library has an ever-growing collection of books in Braille format.
If you need specific accommodations, you may make a request here.
We look forward to serving you soon!