What is the Library of Things?
The library of things is a collection of items available to check out from the library. Including ukuleles, board games, outdoor gear, tools and new technology- borrow items instead of buying!
Where is the Library of Things?
You can browse the Library of Things collection in the lobby of the Downtown Library, near the C Street entrance. Grab a checkout slip and bring it to the circulation desk to check out an item.
What Can I Borrow?
See our library catalog for a list of currently available items, you can browse from here, but, items are not holdable.
Library of Things Policies
Most Library of Things items share the following loan rules (there are a few exceptions).
- 4 week check-outs*
- No holds
- No renewals
- You can borrow 1 item of each type per cardholder**
- Must be returned to front desk, not the book drop
- Items with multiple parts will be counted; lost or damaged items may result in a replacement fee
*See Tech Lending Library for check-out lengths and policies for our Chromebooks.
**You may check out up to 3 board games.
Current Collections
Looking for a new game to play with your family or friends? With your Hayward Public Library card, you can now check out a variety of games for free!
These binoculars feature 50 mm lenses with the power of 10x magnification, bright, wide views, and a comfortable grip perfect for outdoor adventures. Includes cleaning cloth, lens caps, neck strap and carrying case. Funded through the CA State Library Empowering Access grant.
Check out a backpack for exploring our parks! Backpack includes nature guides, a compass, and more. Provided by the California State Parks Foundation. You can also check out a State Parks Pass at your library!
Through a partnership with California State Parks and the the California State Library, free State Parks vehicle day-use passes are available at the Hayward Public Library.
Take on almost any DIY tech repair job! With the iFixit 64 Bit Driver Kit, open and repair items that use specialty screws and fasteners, such as Apple Watches, Nintendo game consoles, phones, and small electronics. Keep your repair project organized with a dry erase magnetic mat and marker.
Makes STEM Education fun! Start out easy with a banana piano. First setup takes seconds. Then make game controllers, musical instruments, and countless inventions. Ages 8+.
"Check out" a wide variety of vegetable and flower seeds to plant in your garden for home use.
The Sierra Mountain Gear Series 7 7075 high-grade aluminum, trekking poles come with the ultra-convenient Latch Lock system. Featuring a lightweight EVA and cork handle, each pole has an adjustable strap for your convenience.
This special edition Popular Science by Celestron StarSense Explorer telescope is ideal for beginners. Each kit contains: 1 telescope, 1 carrying case with small bag, 1 tripod, 1 eyepiece tray, 2 eyepieces (25 mm and 10 mm), 1 smartphone dock (pre-installed), 1 finderscope (pre-installed), 1 image diagonal (pre-installed), 2 mounting screws, 1 altitude rod guide screw, 1 Celestron screwdriver, 1 lens cap, 1 solar filter, 2 guidebooks, 1 quick setup guide, 1 portable stool, 1 Dynamo flashlight.
Power your devices on the go! Keep your phone charged on a hike, power your speaker on a picnic, or have access to solar charging during a power outage. Includes solar panel with USB A and USB C connections, two carabiners, and manual. No battery is included. Hayward Public Library is not responsible for any damage to personal devices that results from use of this product. Funded through the CA State Library Empowering Access grant.
Don't have access to a computing device? Your Hayward Public Library card provides you with access to Chromebooks from our Tech Lending Library at the Downtown Hayward library.
Borrow and learn to play the ukulele at the library!
