Library of Things

Memorial Hall Library has a long history of lending non-book items to its patrons. In 1949, an Andover Townsman article described a record lending collection featuring selections for adults and young people. In the 1950s, MHL began circulating framed artwork and film strips and a projector. The Children's Room circulated "Getting-Better-Boxes" with books, cassettes, toys and games to entertain convalescing children beginning in 1975. In 1977, a sewing pattern exchange was started. In the early 2003, MHL was the first Massachusetts public library to circulate downloadable audiobooks in MP3 format on mobile devices called Otis Audio Players sold by Audible.com. The Memorial Hall Library Seed Library was launched in January 2016. In 2017, Memorial Hall Library formalized it's Library of Things collection with a website, cataloging records, graphic posters, publicity and funding for new, non-traditional and practical items for patrons to borrow including telescopes, graphing calculators, a guitar, craft kits and a Nintendo Switch.

...Library of Things Poster, 2018.... click to enlarge

See

• "Pattern Exchange Begins," Andover Townsman Nov. 3, 1977 page 33.
• Road Trip Reading Memorial Hall's Digital Books Andover Townsman June 19, 2003 page 19
• More than books Andover's Library of Things Andover Townsman Thursday March 24, 2022, page 1.
• What's Happening at Memorial Hall Library Seed Library Takes Root Andover Townsman Dec. 22, 2015
• Framed Prints to Go on Loan Andover Townsman Dec. 31, 1953, page 4.
• Library offers varied services Andover Townsman Jan. 13, 1955, page 8
• Recordings obtainable at library Andover Towsnman Apr. 7, 1949, page 4.
• Getting-Better Boxes at the Library Andover Townsman Aug. 7, 1974, page 10.

--Stephanie (talk) 10:38, 29 March 2022 (EDT)