Everyone knows that libraries are the go-to place to borrow books, but what about a loaner ice cream maker or a "happy birthday" yard sign?

These and other items are now available as part of the Berks County Public Libraries' new Library of Things program. Participating libraries, including Boone Area Library in Birdsboro and the Village Library of Morgantown, will maintain an inventory of items that people may borrow at their respective locations.

The idea is to provide free access to a variety of items that people may only need to use on occasion. "All libraries will have their own Library of Things collection," explained Emily Orischak, community relations coordinator for Berks County Public Libraries, noting that libraries surveyed patrons about what items they would like to see available for borrowing. "They are developing their collection based on their own resources and own information."

However, she noted, everyone with an adult Berks County Public Libraries card can borrow any of the items in the collection countywide by traveling to the library that owns the items for pickup and return. "The library things will not travel through van delivery; you must travel to that library and return to the library that owns that item," Orischak said.

Details about the new Library of Things program will be available at the library booth on Wednesday and Thursday, July 13 and 14, during the Berks County Fair, which will be held at the Berks County Fairgrounds, 1216 Hilltop Road, Leesport. "We will have some information about what people may find in the Library of Things and information on how to borrow," noted Orischak.

Visitors to the library booth at the fair can also enter into a drawing to win one of three local experience baskets, which will feature gift cards to several local businesses. More information about the fair and a schedule of events cand be found at http://www.theberkscountyfair.com.

To view the list of items available for borrowing from the Library of Things, patrons can visit http://www.berkslibraries.org/library-of-things. The list can be filtered to include items in certain categories, such as arts and crafts, cookware, games and tools, as well as what items are available at each library.

Items in the collection include a stud finder wall scanner, a car dent puller, a digital film scanner, a portable cornhole set, a "Star Wars" baking pan and an automobile diagnostic code reader tool.

Patrons are encouraged to contact their local libraries about what is in the collection and if they would like to donate items. For more information, contact the Village Library at 610-286-1022 or smolibrary@gmail.com or the Boone Area Library at 610-582-5666 or boone@berks.lib.pa.us.

The Library of Things program will conclude the library system's yearlong 35th anniversary celebration. The celebratory anniversary year began in June 2021, when the library system first introduced EnChroma color blind glasses during an event held at the Village Library. The glasses are now part of the shared countywide collection.