Thanks to everyone who reached out regarding the physical storage and organization of their Library of Things collections. Below are the responses I received for those interested.
Jen Hassell
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Adult Services Librarian
We use Christmas tree bags for our giant chess set. Most everything else came with its own case. We store huge things under our emergency exit stairs where they won't impede the exit. Smaller items are hung in bags on a shelf. Items go out in their storage container.
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We have a mix of bins and bags and boxes-- since everything seems to have a different shape (ukuleles to Home Science kits), we've been very flexible.
Ukes have their carrying case and are checked out without the storage container, virtually everything else the container goes with.
We're using several different sites in our building to store things currently. Constricted by our space to smaller items.
We use a large display board in the main area for the library with a card rack, featuring the items to check out-- patron can bring up a card or just ask at circ desk.
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1. We purchased all of our storage containers on Amazon. We often would purchase one, decide if we liked the quality and then buy more. The prices can vary as can the quality but this allowed us to really look at the sizes that we needed.
2. We use mostly soft sided containers for our kits. We do have a few hard sided containers for items like the microscope that we are getting ready to circulate- a soft sided container would be scary with that! We mainly use clear storage items for our kid kits- because visuals are important for them and not clear kits for adults (to help tell the difference but also because some of our adult kits have more expensive items and sometimes we have kits sitting out while we transport them between our two locations- it keeps the temptation down!
3. All of our kits check out with the containers- most of them are bags with straps. Our kids adventure kits are backpacks that the kids can wear walking out of the library.
4. We have our kids kits sitting out- the kids need the visuals although it is also difficult if the parent doesn't want the responsibility of taking the kit home, kids also have a hard time walking away from them! Our adult kits are too large and so we have 5x7 advertisement cards that include pictures and what is in the kit. It instructs the patron to take the kit to the desk to check the item out. If the card isn't there, the kit is checked out.
5. We really haven't had any issues with containers for our kits- as long as you can find good quality- they should last for a while anyway. I am terrible with zippers so I always worry about the zippers breaking but so far, we have two years in with adventure kits and a year with other kits and no broken zippers, no ripped containers, really no issues with containers at all!
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What brand or type or storage have you found the most durable and easy to use?
For some items, we use large, heavy-duty duffel bags with wheels. For example, we had a set of Christmas tree bags with wheels that held our giant chess set. As you can imagine, because it was plastic, the corners became quite worn and eventually began to tear. So far, the duffel bags are working well and are easier for transport.
Do you prefer soft sided or hard sided containers? Or do you use both?
Some of our items are self-contained. A couple of examples: A speaker system where the speakers lock together with a handle, a soft backpack for a telescope, and soft carrying cases for the ukuleles. For a number of items, our Business & Facilities manager will measure them and find a good fit on Amazon--usually, some type of canvas bag with a handle or strap.
Do all of your things check out with the container? Or is the storage just for shelving and the thing is removed and checked out separately, like a charging cable for example?
For a lot of the smaller items, we use Janway bags, and the item checks out in the bag. We include labeling that instructs the patron to return the item in the bag.
Does your collection fit onto your existing library shelving? If not, what do you use for displaying the collection?
Currently, the smaller items fit well on the shelving (pictured below); however, the larger items are being stored under our stairwell. With our upcoming renovation (scheduled to begin in September), we plan to have a "storage tunnel" for the larger LoTs. For the larger items, the patron can place them on hold via the catalog, and once we trap the hold, we send an email notification with pick up instructions via our drive-thru. If the item is on shelf (available), we have a laminated description card with a barcode that they have to bring to the circulation desk for checkout. If the patron cannot carry the item to their vehicle (i.e., the cornhole/bean toss set, which is very heavy), we offer the drive-thru pick-up option (we have a handcart for staff use).
Any cautionary tales of what to avoid?
We've lost 4 mobile hotspots (one returned sun/heat damaged) as well as a Surface Pro laptop that checked out in January and has not returned.
Patrons will attempt to reserve lawn games at a certain time for a special event. This is problematic because the lawn games are first come, first serve and if someone returns a game early or keeps it out too long, it rarely works out in the patron's favor.
A final note - the patrons (and staff) love being able to check out these items. We have a couple summer outdoor events here at the library and we've been able to bring the lawn games out for additional fun activities. The families really enjoy them!
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We get creative with our containers for our Library of Things collection. If the item offers a case or storage container we will purchase it at the same time we purchase the item.
What brand or type or storage have you found the most durable and easy to use? We don't have a specific brand we use.
Do you prefer soft sided or hard sided containers? Or do you use both? We use both. Some heavy items are in roller cases. i.e sewing machine
Do all of your things check out with the container? Yes. Or is the storage just for shelving and the thing is removed and checked out separately, like a charging cable for example? No, the container stays with the item. We put labels, barcodes, etc. on the containers and write the barcode number on the items.
Does your collection fit onto your existing library shelving? Yes, but poorly. It is almost a jigsaw puzzle putting things on the shelf. We do put most of our Library of Things out on our public shelves. Some small and expensive items are locked behind the Information Desk with a sign letting patrons know where to ask for them. If not, what do you use for displaying the collection? We have our items in our catalog with pictures and there is a link to the list of items on our website. And we are working on a three-ring binder with pictures of the items for browsing.
Any cautionary tales of what to avoid? I select sturdy basic or entry-level items and I pay a little more for them. We needed another metal detector and I was talked into a cheaper one and it didn't even last a year before the plastic parts started to break off.
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What brand or type or storage have you found the most durable and easy to use?
Sterilite boxes with latching lids have worked great for a lot of our things.
Do you prefer soft sided or hard sided containers? Or do you use both?
We use both, it just depends on the thing. Our laptops are in soft laptop bags from Amazon, as are our gaming consoles. We circulate our Ukulele in the soft bag it came with. Only negative I can see with soft bags is odor.
Do all of your things check out with the container? Or is the storage just for shelving and the thing is removed and checked out separately, like a charging cable for example?
We check out the container as well. Helps keep things together. For example, our Switch is in a case, but then there is also the dock for the TV plus cords and an extra controller. We put it all in a medium sized Sterilite box.
Does your collection fit onto your existing library shelving? If not, what do you use for displaying the collection?
Yes and no. We have an empty shelf that we are able to put a lot on, but some of the bigger items have a "dummy case" (an old DVD case with a picture of the item). Patrons bring the dummy case to the desk and we pull the item out of storage. I have also seen libraries use a peg board with pictures and everything is in storage: (not my picture)
Any cautionary tales of what to avoid?
We have a lot of iPads and they're very popular, but man can they be a headache!
Here is a list of our collection if you're interested: https://sllib.org/beyond-books/
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What brand or type or storage have you found the most durable and easy to use? We primarily use soft, velcro pouches used for book/media kits in youth services departments. I believe those are ordered from DEMCO. We also use these tote bags from Amazon for larger items.
Do you prefer soft sided or hard sided containers? Or do you use both? We use whatever does the job and fits the item! Games and puzzles circulate in their original boxes. Then, there are things for which I have to find a special container on Amazon. It's really trial and error. Tech Services informs me if one of our regular velcro pouches or tote bags won't work. Then, I buy something special.
Do all of your things check out with the container? Or is the storage just for shelving and the thing is removed and checked out separately, like a charging cable for example? All circulate with the container.
Does your collection fit onto your existing library shelving? If not, what do you use for displaying the collection? Yes! We're fortunate that our shelving has a hanging bar attachment. Smaller items are hung up, and larger items lie flat on the shelves beneath.
Any cautionary tales of what to avoid? Avoid things that are difficult to repair or come with a lot of parts. Know who will repair certain items. Have a Library of Things policy. There are lots of examples online.
