Are you looking for a way to add more fun to your next family night or game gathering? The Aurora Public Library District’s (APLD) Library of Things just got even better with the addition of a brand-new board game collection! We’ve got childhood favorites and exciting new games for all ages available for checkout with your library card. These items make it easier than ever to discover, create, and have fun!
The Library of Things is a collection of unique, non-traditional items available for checkout. We currently have all sorts of things like sewing machines, musical instruments, fishing poles, electronics, and various gadgets. Customers are delightfully shocked when they find out that we circulate more than books and movies. “I completely love the reaction to our fishing poles. We put them on display when the weather warms up and both kids and adults are so stoked,” said circulation manager, Carey. “It isn’t even really about the fishing poles specifically, but they’re emblematic of customers realizing that the library has more to offer than they even imagined.”
Now, in addition to these items, you can check out board games! Whether you’re a fan of timeless classics or modern strategy games, there’s something for everyone. “We’ve been offering games for people to play while at the library, but many staff and customers expressed an interest in games that they could take home to play,” said collection services manager, Miranda. “We’ve added some classic games like Monopoly and Chutes & Ladders along with newer games like Wingspan and Ticket to Ride.” The full list of games is available to explore on our website. It includes filters for age level, game duration, and group size, making it easy to find the perfect game for any occasion!
The goal of the Library of Things is to inspire creativity and exploration. Whether you want to learn a new skill, take up a hobby, or just have a little fun, the Library of Things provides a cost-free way for APLD cardholders to try before you buy. “Some of these items can be cost-prohibitive to purchase, and by checking them out, customers can try them out to see if it is something they’d like to do invest in long-term or just to use once,” said senior circulation manager, Yiota. “It’s important to offer this collection to our customers because playing games can foster connections,” added collection services assistant manager, Melissa. “Just as we share and connect with others over books we read, playing board games is a way to share a fun hobby and create memories with family, friends, and community members.”
The Library of Things is continually acquiring more items to add to the collection, and we are so happy to offer items that appeal to a variety of interests! If you’re a (here’s your word of the day) dissectologist like Melissa (aka someone who enjoys puzzles), you’ll be thrilled to know that jigsaw puzzles will be available for checkout soon! She adds, “One of my favorite things to do is listen to a good audiobook while putting a puzzle together, so I’ll be psyched to borrow these from the library.” It’s all part of our mission to provide unique and engaging resources for our community. “We will also be adding even more gadgets and kits for the whole family soon!” teased Miranda, so stay tuned!
Whether you’re looking to test out a game before purchasing it or want to host a fun game night, this new collection is designed to bring people together and make gaming more accessible. Visit www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/games for more informationandto reserve. You may borrow up to two board games at a time for a period of one week using your APLD library card. To learn more about the other items in our Library of Things collection, give us a call at 630-264-4117 or visit www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/LibraryOfThings (limitations may vary). Get ready to roll the dice and discover something new at APLD!
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.