It's National Library Week April 7th-13th, and we thought we'd take the opportunity to highlight some of the more unique items the Springfield-Greene County Library and the Christian County Library have available to check out ... other than books! From educational tools to entertainment options, there's a plethora of items you can borrow to enrich your experience beyond the written word. Take advantage of the diverse range of resources available at your local library.
- Streaming Audiobooks
If you’re a member of the Greene County libraries, you have access to streaming services like Libby and Hoopla. Just download the apps onto your device, log in with your library card number, and borrow from the collection of thousands of books! Christian County library members also have access to Hoopla, as well as Tumble Book Library, which features animated, talking picture books for kids.
- Playaways
Kids who love hearing stories will want to check out Playaways! It’s an easy-to-use audiobook format that’s all in one - no finding CDs or tapes. Just add a battery, plug in your headphones, and go.
- Streaming Videos
In addition to streaming audiobooks on your library’s streaming services, you can use Hoopla, Libby, and Overdrive to stream videos, like TV shows and movies.
- DVDs
You can check out movies and TV shows on physical DVD from your library’s collection as well. All the area libraries have large collections of DVDs for all ages - from educational shows for toddlers to Oscar nominees for grownups!
- CDs
Tap into your local library’s music collection and check out a few CDs next time you visit! There are wonderful children’s artists, such as Laurie Berkner, classical recordings, contemporary pop music, and tons more.
- Audiobooks on CD
If you’ve got a long road trip coming up, audiobooks on CD are a great option for getting your book time in as a family! Area libraries have large collections of popular children’s (and adult) books on CD.
- EBooks
Kindle users should know that you can check out EBooks through the library! The streaming platforms (like Libby and Hoopla) have EBooks available as well as audiobooks and videos. You can download them to your Kindle app and read them for the duration of the borrowing period.
- Toys
The Greene County library has a collection of toys perfect for infants - age 6 that you can take home. It’s the perfect way to “test drive” a toy before buying it, or simply to keep your child’s playtime fresh. You can check out toys from any library branch, and even request them online.
- Games
The Christian County library system has board games available for a 3-week checkout and yard games available for a 1-week checkout. The person checking out the games has to be 18 or older, and sign a checkout agreement.
- Adventure Backpacks
Your Greene County library card gets you access to backpacks with all the tools you need to explore the great outdoors (or just a nearby city park). Each pack has a theme and comes with a variety of books, tools and toys about the theme, and your checkout lasts for 3 weeks, so you can explore over and over again.
- Digital Magazines
Visit your library’s streaming service to check out digital magazines and see the latest issue on your computer, smartphone, or Kindle.
- STEM Kits
The Greene County library has STEM kits available for kids in grades 1-5. Each kit explores a different topic like engineering, sound, coding, and more. They focus on problem-solving skills and making these topics fun to learn! Search “STEM Kit” in the library’s online catalog to find one that interests your kiddos.
- Passes to local attractions
Get quality educational experiences for your children with just your library card! A Greene County library card gets you passes to The Discovery Center and the History Museum on the Square, and a Christian County card gets you a pass to the Nixa X Center and the Nixa Aquatics Center. The availability for these passes is limited, and the best way to ensure they’ll be available for you is to call ahead to the library branch.
- Kitchen Items (Christian County)
With your Christian County library card, you have access to bakeware, a stand mixer, and an ice cream mixer to check out - perfect for the budding baker in your life.
- Tools
You don’t even need a public library card to borrow tools in the Springfield area. The Community Partnership of the Ozarks operates a tool library where you can check out home repair and gardening tools. Membership is $20 for the year, and you can borrow up to 5 tools at a time for one week.
- Seeds
Many area libraries have seed programs, allowing patrons to “check out” seeds to start your garden with. You don’t have to return the seeds or plants, but preserving your own seeds and donating them back to the library is encouraged.
- Musical instruments
The Christian County library system has a ukulele and a cajon that you can check out for 3 weeks - it’s a great way to try a new instrument for an extended period before you commit.
- Internet Hot Spots
Need quick Internet at home? Your library can help you with that! All area libraries have options to check out mobile hot spots, so you can get Internet anywhere. Checkout periods are limited, so you’ll want to call ahead to your library for details and to make sure a hot spot is available.
The library, of course, also has plenty more to discover, from books to DVDs to regular events like weekly storytimes and teen activities. You can always find all Springfield library events on our Macaroni KID Springfield calendar!
Stop by the Library during National Library Week and explore!
What interesting thing can you find to take home?
Need a library card?
Sign up for a Springfield-Greene County Library Card HERE.
Sign up for a Christian County Library Card HERE.
