Libraries have been about more than books for a long while. I still remember my wonder when I realized they had added movies and music that I could check out just like books. That was a game-changer for a budget-conscious young person. It was also a minute ago. Suffice it to say, that was during the VHS days and the beginning of the CD days.
Over the years, public libraries have increasingly offered other non-book items for checkout, with DVDs a consistent favorite.
This fall, the Cumberland County Library system began taking the concept further with its Library of Things that lets patrons check out “non-traditional items such as kitchen gadgets, crafting tools, board games, outdoor gear and more,” according to a county news release. It is part of a national trend with public libraries…