The library will begin its “Library of Things” program Wednesday, March 12.
The program allows students to check out an assortment of items, from DVD players to “Dungeons and Dragons” kits, free of charge.
Other items include a clothing iron, Yeti microphone, tool set and therapy lamp.
Items can be checked out online through the library’s website. A valid student ID must be provided upon pick-up.
“The ‘Library of Things’ is an amalgamation of donations,” Phil Harrity, the library’s access services and archival coordinator, said, “and also things that were going to be recycled just because they were phased out–but they still work.
Harrity, a Point Park alum, came up with the program after surveying student needs.
Brenton Wilson, an associate director at the library, said that student survey responses were integral to start the “Library.” He encouraged students to respond to polls by both the university and the library.
“You guys know better than us what you want,” Wilson said.
All available items are mostly sourced by donations. Those that weren’t came from around the library.
Harrity said that he did not know where the clothing iron came from, but that it could have been part of the library’s inventory when it was affiliated with the Carnegie Library.
“It’s been here for years,” Harrity said. “It works.”
The therapy lamp, meant to produce ultraviolet light and mitigate seasonal affective disorder, was purchased after several offices were moved into windowless rooms, according to Harrity.
Harrity also said that Library and Media services donated phased-out–but still functional– cameras.
A Blu-Ray player is also available for check out. This is due in part because of an uptick in DVD rentals, according to Harrity.
DVD rentals were up 35% from fall 2023 to fall 2024, Harrity said. He added that there was an uptick in rentals after the library’s new viewing room was complete.
Both Harrity and Wilson said they hope to continue to expand the inventory of the “Library of Things.”
They said they hope to have cooking tools and appliances for students living on-campus in Boulevard Apartments, among other things.
Down the hall, SPS had mixed opinions on the “Library of Things.”
SPS checks out media equipment like cameras and microphones to students in communications and cinema. Students must have prerequisite courses complete to check out certain equipment.
Dayanara Rodriguez, a junior cinema production major and SPS worker, said she was skeptical about the program.
“I think it’s definitely a stretch,” Rodriguez said. “It would be like if I gave a camera to a non-cinema major.”
Olivia Krieger, a sophomore screenwriting major, agreed with Rodriguez. Krieger, who also works at SPS, said she felt it was strange that the library was operating the program.
“I feel like it’s kind of odd to be like, ‘Oh, I’m going to rent or check out D&D kits and clothing irons and Blu-Ray players,’” Krieger said.
Tiffany Scales, a senior screenwriting major, was the lone dissenter at SPS. Scales said she liked the idea of the “Library of Things.”
“I think it’s just a good opportunity for students who can’t afford to get things to have those things in arms-reach,” Scales said. “Even if the program doesn’t last for long, it helps them.”
A link to the “Library of Things” catalog can be found here: https://pointpark.libguides.com/c.php?g=1405118
