LAre you looking to learn a new musical instrument? Or try out a piece of technology? Or test out a board game with friends? The concept of “try before you buy” is a form of waste reduction gaining popularity. Reduce items bound for the waste stream at home by borrowing them from the Library of Things collection at the Newton Free Library!

Newton Free Library hosts a collection of items available for check-out and in-library use. The library offers a Library of Things as part of fulfilling its mission to bring the community together to enjoy, explore, create, and discover. The Library of Things encourages patrons of all ages to express their passions and exercise their creativity using borrowed items, which can offset the cost of starting a new hobby.

Items in this collection include musical instruments, board games & puzzles, a metal detector, 3D printers, a digital film scanner, wire strippers, speakers and more.

Borrowing Guidelines:

  • Library of Things items do not get sent in delivery to other libraries.
  • If you are a Newton resident you can reserve these items through our catalog.
  • If you don’t live in Newton, you can still request these items, as long as you ask a staff member to place the request, and you come to Newton Free Library to pick it up.
  • 3 Week Initial Loan Period
  • Up to 2 Renewals as long as no reserves are pending
  • Late items are assessed an overdue of 15 cents, up to a maximum of $6

Items for use only while at the library: Laptops, Headphones, USB Wall Chargers and Phone Charger Cables