Check it out: cake pans and other unexpected library loans

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By Jessica Hermiller
Director of the Bluffton Public Library

September marks a special month in libraries--it’s National Library Card Sign-up Month. 

Everyone can benefit from having a library card and signing up is simple. Adults, stop by the library and bring a photo ID and proof of address. Anyone under 18, bring a parent/guardian and make sure they have their photo ID and proof of address.

When you have a library card, you can check out our wide collection of materials! We offer books (of course) but many other things, such as:

Audiobooks (books on CD, MP3, or digital player)

BluRays and DVDs

Comics & Graphic Novels

Magazines & Newspapers

Music

Having a library card opens up possibilities outside of the library as well. You can use your card at home or on-the-go and enjoy a variety of databases, access to the Ohio Digital Library (eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and comics), as well as services like language apps. Still can’t find what you’re looking for? We can borrow the item from another library.

Each library has their own collection of materials, but they also might have their own collection of unique items, some of which are able to be requested and some which are just for local members (depending on if they can be safely shipped). Cakes pans, Ellison die cuts, book club kits, and video games are common requests.

When you are searching in the library catalog, if you use the term [realia] in the search bar, you'll see a variety of options - you can also use a search term for a specific item, like cake pans, game consoles, or kits. A few libraries have toy and game collections for their local patrons, some have educational kits for classrooms and one even has a light therapy lamp! Our library has a special collection of video games, big books, single comic issues, early learning kits, and Ellison die cuts.

Make sure to stop by the library during September (or any other month) and sign up for a library card. By using our library services, you have a part in helping our community grow, learn, and create–we hope to see you soon.