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1. What is a Library of Things?

A Library of Things is a collection of items such as kitchenware, musical instruments, and games hosted at a library that library patrons can check out with their Libraries in Clackamas County (LINCC) library card.

2. Which libraries have a collection?

Canby, Estacada, Hoodland, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sandy, West Linn, and Wilsonville.

3. Where did the money for Library of Things collections come from?

Initial startup money came from Clackamas County Sustainability and Solid Waste (SSW).

4. What benefits to the community does having a Library of Things offer?

A Library of Things promotes sustainability by encouraging sharing, the ability to try before you buy, and access to rarely used household items.

Library of Things supports a library's goals of providing new and popular materials to stimulate imagination, provide new leisure activities and experiences, and promote lifelong learning. These collections will offer new resources for patrons to explore topics of personal interest where money, space, or other issues may hinder a person's ability to do so.

5. Are there age limits on checking out any of the items?

Age limits are determined by the item’s owning library.

6. Can I borrow items from any library that has a collection?

Yes, as long as you return the item to the library you borrowed it from. Each library maintains its own, separate Library of Things collection (e.g., if Oregon City has an item you’d like to check out, you must pick that item up at that library).

7. Can I use the self-checkout?

No. Please visit your library’s checkout desk. Our self-check machines are not set up to scan the various sizes and shapes of these items.

8. How many items may I check out?

You may check out two items at a time per library card.

9. How long is the checkout period?

Checkout period is fourteen days, and checkouts are renewable. 

10. How long will the item be held for me?

You have seven days to pick the item up from the owning library once you receive a notification that it is ready. You will not receive a reminder that your hold will expire.

11. Three Library of Things items I put on hold arrived on the same day, but I can only check out two. What should I do?

Choose the items you’d like to check out first. You may check the other item out before its hold expires after returning the first two. Another way to avoid this is to suspend and unsuspend your holds.

12. How do I suspend my holds?

For instructions on suspending your holds, please visit the LINCC System FAQ page.

13. Where do I return my items?

All Library of Things items must be returned to the owning library's checkout desk during open hours. Do not return items to book drops or a different library.

Items returned to the wrong library will not be checked in, and late fees may accrue. You will be contacted to return the item to the owning library.

14. What if I return an item late or damaged?

Late fees are $1 per day. Items will be considered lost after 28 days past due date. Replacement fee is the full replacement cost of the item if lost or damaged.

Owning library may assess additional fees (e.g., cleaning, repair, missing RFID tag, damaged or lost packaging, etc.).

15. May I donate items to the Library of Things Collection?

Thank you for thinking of the library with your donations. At this time we don't know whether we will be able to accept donations and each library may have different procedures (see note), so please check back in the following months at your local library.

Note: Oregon City Library is currently not accepting Library of Things donations.

For donations of books/media, please contact our Friends Bookstore:
814 7th Street
Oregon City, OR 97045
Phone: 503-594-0261