LIBRARY OF THINGS SUPPORT
Looking to add or expand a Library of Things collection at your library? LEO has resources to help.
Resources for Library of Things Collections
What support is available to me if I am starting or expanding my Library of Things collection?
Currently, LEO's support for Library of Things (LOT) collections is most strongly focused on food preservation and food sovereignty based collections — think everything from cake pans to canning kits to dehydrators to juicers. LEO can:
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connect you with LEO member libraries who have LOT collections to support expertise sharing and learning;
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provide you with a list of items for a basic food preservation and food sovereignty collection, developed by the Oregon State University Extension program;
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provide you with materials to aid in the circulation and use of these materials, including instruction guides, suggestions for use, and troubleshooting information;
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share resources created by fellow member libraries for circulation, including liability waivers, if required by your municipality, county, or Board;
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facilitate a connection with your OSU Extension faculty member or volunteer.
LEO believes strength comes from working together. If you are needing additional support beyond the Sage system's LOT workgroup for starting or expanding a Library of Things collection, please reach out at info@librariesofeasternoregon.org.
Who developed these Library of Things resources?
As part of LEO's 2023 LOT grant project, LEO worked with the Hood River County Library District, Harney County Library, and Joseph City Library to:
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develop and refine this list of LOT items;
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ensure authoritative information on the items' use, with guides and informational materials developed and maintained by OSU Extension;
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ensure accurate catalog records were available in the Sage catalog; and
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bring together OSU faculty and library staff to share expertise and develop LOT-collection-related programming.
In 2024, two additional libraries will be building or expanding their LOT collections in partnership with their local OSU Extension faculty: Southern Wasco County Library in Maupin and the Baker County Library District.
This project, including the 2024 additions and the LOT mini-conference, was funded by the Roundhouse Foundation.
The 2024 Library of Things Virtual Mini-Conference
On Wednesday, March 13 LEO and OSU Extension hosted a virtual mini-conference focused on Library of Things collections. This mini-con took place over Zoom, and featured two keynote speakers and three rounds of breakout sessions organized under an unconference model, and participants from both libraries and Extension services in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
While LEO's LOT project focused on food preservation and food sovereignty related LOT collections, the LOT mini-con had a broader focus — participants wanted to hear about, learn from, and get the details on video games, board games, technology, outdoor equipment, STEM collections, and more!
The agenda for the LOT virtual mini-con was as follows (all times in Pacific):
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9 to 9:15am, welcome and gathering time: log in to Zoom, get yourself settled, and engage with those also in attendance!
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9:15 to 9:50am, keynote: Lauren M. Kraemer, Partnerships for Production: Engaging Community Members through a Value-Added Rental Program (find out more about Lauren below)
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10 to 10:30am, round one unconference session via breakout
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10:40 to 11:10am, round two unconference session via breakout
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11:20 to 11:50, round three unconference session via breakout
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noon to 12:45, keynote: Brendan Lax, Some Things Old, Some Things New, Some Things Borrowed, Some Things Ewww!: A 10-Year Library of Things Retrospective (find out more about Brendan below)
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12:45 to 1pm, wrap up
The mini-con began and ended in a large group, with a welcome and opening keynote as well as a closing keynote and wrap-up session. In between, participants were free to choose from over 20 different breakout sessions. You can see the breakout session agenda here, and information on our session leads here.
Meet Lauren M. Kraemer, Associate Professor of Practice,
College of Health, Extension Family & Community Health,
Hood River & Wasco County
Lauren Kraemer is an Associate Professor of Practice in the
College of Health at Oregon State University Extension
Service. She has been teaching food preservation and disaster
preparedness education courses for over a decade in the
Columbia River Gorge.
Lauren’s interests in food systems, food security, and
community resiliency led her to create a “Value Added Rental
Program” in Hood River County in 2013 in partnership with
local food hub, Gorge Grown Food Network. In 2019, Lauren worked with the Hood River Library District to transition the equipment to the library, significantly increasing their Library of Things program. Lauren is excited to share lessons learned through her experience with the Library of Things program and support other libraries in developing similar programs.
Lauren’s passions include making connections, creativity, and empowering others. Lauren is an avid gardener, home cook, outdoor enthusiast, and novice ukulele player. She has two sons who she brings into the kitchen and the garden as much as she can so they can learn to grow and prepare food on their own someday.
Meet Brendan Lax, Collection Development Librarian,
Hillsboro Public Library
Brendan Lax has worked at the Hillsboro Public Library since
2009, where he selects and maintains several collections,
including the graphic novels, AV, board games, video games,
and the Library of Things. His work life focuses on creating
relevant and accessible collections for his community and
finding innovative ways to expand the reach of the library and
promote its resources. Prior to working in libraries, Brendan
was the chief steward on an ocean-going tugboat.
Brendan is well-known in the Oregon Library community and
beyond as Hillsboro's "Librarian of Things," having played a leadership role in the development, funding, circulation, and expansion of the collection since its inception in 2014 — as well as for his videos celebrating and promoting the collection. Brendan, along with a then-colleague, won the Oregon Library Association's Pearl Award in 2016 for his Library of Things related work.
