Check out our Library of Things.  Literally: check them out!  Our library has a growing collection of non-traditional or unconventional items (called “realia” in library jargon) that you can borrow as you would a book, CD, or DVD.  These items range from board games to cookie cutters to an actual butter churn.  Here are some of the interesting items you can check out from our library:

Binoculars

Use our high definition Gosky 10×42 binoculars for bird watching, travel, stargazing, hunting, concerts and sports.  Binoculars can be checked out for up to three weeks, and can be renewed up to two times if no one else is waiting for them.

Board Games

We have many board games, so many that we can no longer list them all!  Our board games have the same rules for checkout as a regular book: they can be checked out for up to three weeks, and can be renewed up to two times if no one else is waiting for them.

Butter Churn

Our hand-powered butter churn has a glass jar that will churn a maximum of two quarts of cream into approximately 1.5-1.75 lbs. of fresh butter and approximately 1 quart of buttermilk.  It is available to check out, advance reservation only, by patrons with current library cards in good standing.  The circulation period is five days, with initial check-out on a Thursday and check-in the following Tuesday.  Contact 978-468-5577 for more information about borrowing the butter churn.

Cassette Tape Recorder

Our Cassette Tape Recorder is a Sony CFD-S250 Boombox.  Please note: the CD player component of this boombox is broken.  However, it is great for playing and recording audio tape cassettes.  This item can be checked out for up to three weeks at a time, and can be renewed up to two times if no one is waiting for it.

CD Player

Our CD Player is a portable compact disc player capable of playing CD, CD-R, CD-RW and MP3 audio discs.  Built-in Bluetooth plays music wirelessly from your phone/tablet or other Bluetooth devices. This item can be checked out for up to three weeks at a time, and can be renewed up to two times if no one is waiting for it.

Code-A-Pillar

Connect segment pieces of the Code-a-pillar and watch each piece light up as he maps out the path you create.  This programmable robot toy can be checked out for up to one week, and can be renewed for an additional week if no one is waiting for it.

Drum Pad

Practice your drumming on this drum pad, which comes with two drumsticks.  Our drum pad can be checked out for up to three weeks at a time, and can be renewed up to two times if no one is waiting for it.

Google Virtual Reality Glasses

These virtual reality glasses are also referred to as Google Cardboards or just “cardboards” because they are low-cost headsets literally made out of cardboard!  Use them with a smart phone to navigate 3D environments and presentations through apps like Jump and Expeditions, or just watch some 3D stereoscopic videos on YouTube to get a feel for them.  They can be checked out for one week at a time; no renewals.

HotSpot

Our Sprint 4G LTE Hotspot is a Model MiFI 800, a portable hotspot that can be used to connect to the internet in different locations.  To use borrow our Hotspot you must be an adult aged 18 or older, have a valid MVLC library card in good standing (no fees/fines) and agree to our library’s Computer Use and Internet Policy and Sprint’s acceptable use policy, which prohibits pirating, illegal downloads, etc.  Additional information, including replacement fees, network name and password, is packaged with the Hotspot.  It can be checked out for one week at a time; no holds or renewals, and there is a late fee of $5.00 per day.

Kill-A-Watt

Monitor and project energy costs and find out what your electric devices cost to operate. Our Kill-A-Watt electricity usage monitors assess the efficiency of home appliances, enabling you to determine your electrical expense by day/week/month/year, and can be used to evaluate the quality of electrical power from a utility company by monitoring voltage, line frequency, and power factor.  These devices have the same rules for checkout as a regular book: they can be checked out for up to three weeks, and can be renewed up to two times if no one is waiting for them.

LapLoom

The Laploom is a small wooden frame loom that can be used for weaving.  Accessories include 2 shedsticks, 2 stick shuttles, 1 fork, and tapestry needles.  The Laploom can be checked out for up to three weeks, and can be renewed up to two times if no one is waiting for them.

Lawn Games

Lawn games can be checked out for up to three weeks, no renewals, and must be picked up at the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library.  They include:

• Badminton
• Bocce Ball
• Bucketball
• Cornhole
• Discgolf
• Frisbee Ball
• Giant Jenga
• Kubb
• Ladder Toss
• Lawn Darts
• Lawn Dice
• Lawn Dominoes
• Pickleball
• Ring Toss
• Spikeball

Low Voltage Tester

Use our low voltage tester to test voltages from 120V – 277V, AC/DC. Possible applications include outlets, circuit breakers, extension cords, panels, switches and light fixtures.  The voltage tester can be checked out for up to one week; no renewals.

Microscope Kits

Our Edu-Toys Handheld Microscope Kits come with microscope, instruction booklet, stand, and one prepared slide.  They can be checked out for up to one week, and can be renewed for an additional week if no one is waiting for them.

Ozobot

Ozobot is a robot that plays with users on paper, game boards and tablets. Enjoy creating colorful patterns while learning robotic behavior, command programming and logical reasoning.  Ozobot can be checked out for up to one week, and can be renewed for an additional week if no one is waiting for it.

Perkins Digital Talking Book Players

We have Perkins Digital Talking Book Players on loan from the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library.  One is Library Use Only, so it is always here for anyone who wants to use it in the library and see how it works; the other two can be checked out for use or demonstration outside of the library.  Talking Book Players have the same rules for checkout as a regular book: they can be checked out for up to three weeks, and can be renewed up to two times if no one is waiting for them.  Ask staff about sample Talking books that can be used with the Players.

Do you have a disability that prevents you from reading conventional print books?  You may qualify to receive Perkins services, including a Talking Book Player of your own. Qualified persons include anyone unable to read print books due to a disability, such as blindness, low vision, dyslexia, arthritis, complications from stroke, etc.  We have applications here in the library.  Call 978-468-5577 and ask to speak with Sarah for more information.

Playaway Launchpads

Launchpads are tablets specifically designed for circulation.  They are secure devices that come with preloaded content and do not require downloads or wifi.  Our Launchpads can be checked out for up to one week, and can be renewed for an additional week if no one is waiting for them.  Click here for a current list of Launchpads in the online catalog.

Projector

Our LCD Projector comes with carrying case, USB cable, power cable, auxiliary cable, remote, and user manual.  It is available to check out, advance reservation only, by patrons with current library cards in good standing.  The circulation period is one week.  Contact 978-468-5577 to check about availability and to set your week for reservation.

Slide Film Viewer

Our Pana-Vue 2 Lighted 2×2 Slide Film Viewer allows you to clearly view 35mm slides at a brilliant 2x magnification.  The 2″ square viewing screen allows easy viewing of your memories.  This is a compact viewer designed for hand or table top viewing.  The Slide Film Viewer can be checked out for up to one week, and can be renewed for an additional week if no one is waiting for it.

Snap Circuits

Our electronic Snap Circuits kit comes with real electronic circuit components that snap together to create working electronic circuits and devices. Snap Circuits can be checked out for up to one week, and can be renewed for an additional week if no one is waiting for it.

Soil Meter

This Soil Meter is scientifically accurate and easy to read.  No battery or electricity is required: just plug it in the ground and learn when to water and whether your plants are getting adequate light.  Measures soil moisture, pH and light.  (Note: If the soil meter’s pointer does not rotate, your plants are probably very dry and in need of water right now.)  Our soil meter can be checked out for up to one week; no renewals.

StudSensor

The electronic StudSensor Pro SL-AC makes finding studs quick and simple.  Use two scanning modes to find shallow versus deep studs.  Our stud sensor can be checked out for up to one week; no renewals.

Telescope

Our library telescope is an Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope, and it is available to check out, advance reservation only, by patrons with current library cards in good standing.  The circulation period is five days, with initial check-out on a Thursday and check-in the following Tuesday.  Please read our Telescope Lending Program brochure and contact 978-468-5577 for more information about borrowing our library telescope.

Torpedo Level

Ukulele

The Mahalo Ukulele is a real ukulele and is available for checkout regardless of your level of proficiency with the ukulele in particular or music in general.  Our ukulele can be checked out for up to one week; no renewals.

USB Travel Charger

Our Universal USB Travel Charger comes with four ports, plugin options for U.S.A., Europe and the United Kingdom, and instruction booklet.  The charger checks out for one week, with no renewals.  Check with librarians if you need it for longer than a week: we may be able to accommodate you.

Zoomy Digital Microscope

Hold the Zoomy Digital Microscope over an object, turn the top to focus, then press the single control button to take videos or still images from 35 to 53x magnification. The Zoomy Digital Microscope can be checked out for up to one week, and can be renewed for an additional week if no one is waiting for it.

In Library Use Only

These items are available for checkout and use within the library:

Chargers

We have a charging station in the library on the second floor.  However, you can also ask at the Reference Desk for chargers that can be checked out for use in our study rooms and elsewhere in the library:

• Charger and power cord for Nook 1st edition and Nook 2nd edition.
• Charger and power cord for Color & Nook Tablet
• Charger and power cord for iPhone

External ODD & HDD device

iPad

Nexus 7

Sony Multi-card reader/writer