In 2016 two technocrats at the Kenosha Public Library (KPL) decided to add a Snap Circuits kit to the collection. From there the collection has grown to include a 360fly, Cozmo robots, Amazon Echos, cake pans and more. With the addition of these items, programming and resources had to be dedicated to training patrons and staff on their use. KPL staff will discuss the growing pains of a Library of Things collection and how these items have been used to inspire creativity and learning and to keep generations curious about what's around the corner.

1. From Thing 1 to Thing 2:
Expanding Your Library Collection
to the Community
Kenosha Public Library
Wisconsin Library Association Conference 2019

2. Who We Are & About KPL
Located between
Milwaukee and Chicago

3. Who We Are & About KPL
We have 4 Branches +
Administration Building

4. Who We Are & About KPL
And a growing outreach department

5. Library of Things: The Backstory
Started with... Was expanded by...

6. Library of Things: Now
● 300+ Board and RPG
Games
● 20+ Cake Pans
● 50+ Launchpads
● ~440 other things
● Budget: ~$8K/year

7. Youth & Family Services + Developmental Collection

8. Youth & Family Services + Developmental Collection
What’s in that closet?
● Big Books
● Pop-Up Books
● Flannels
● Dramatic Play Toys
(puppets, dolls, food)
● Gross Motor Toys
● Fine Motor Toys
● Concept Toys (shapes,
colors, numbers)
● Sensory Toys
● Musical Toys
● Science Kits
● Storytime-to-Go Kits
● Puzzles & Games
● Starling Word Counters
● Educational Resources
Coming soon: Washable Books!
Sensory Backpacks!

9. Youth & Family Services + Developmental Collection

10. Youth & Family Services + Developmental Collection

11. Youth & Family Services + Developmental Collection

12. Developmental Collection: Why?
● Enhanced service for daycares, preschools, elementary
schools, homeschool families, and other educators
● Increased community access to toys and resources that
promote early literacy and developmental skills
● In-library use during programs
○ Water Science Kit = Outdoor toddler water program
○ Beanbag Toss = Harry Potter “house points” bean bag toss
○ Sea Life Specimens = Preschool science programs

13. Adult and digital Services + Library of Things

14. Adult and digital Services + Library of Things
● Pillars of Service at Kenosha Public Library:
○ Strengthening Neighborhoods
○ Keeping You Curious
○ Inspiring Learning
● How we do that in Adult and Digital Services:
○ Information Literacy
○ Digital Literacy
○ Financial Literacy
○ Health Literacy
○ Civic Literacy
○ Fun should be a literacy too

15. Adult and digital Services + Library of Things
● Adult Programs
○ Game Club - board games, Magic the Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons
○ Practical Linux - Raspberry Pi
○ Tech Toys / LoT Display - Comic Con, National Library Week
○ Cut the Cord - cut cable and use library streaming devices
● Reference Desk
○ Tech advisory - upsell the collection and programs
○ Tech help - phone, email, walk-in, by appointment
● Collection Development
○ Listen to patron needs
○ Always be looking for new ideas

16. Adult and digital Services + Library of Things
● Pillars of Service at Kenosha Public Library:
○ Strengthening Neighborhoods - patron led recurring programs
○ Keeping You Curious - magpie behaviour isn’t a bad thing
○ Inspiring Learning - covert teaching while having fun
● How we do that in Adult and Digital Services:
○ Digital Literacy - Practical Linux, Cut the Cord, Tech help
○ Financial Literacy - Cut the Cord, try before you buy
○ Health Literacy - Game Club, crochet kits, birdwatching
○ Civic Literacy - 1960: The Making of a President
○ Fun should be a literacy too - ALL THE THINGS

17. Outreach Programs + Library of Things
● We offer STEM programming to learners of all ages
● We take the collection on the road
○ Senior Living Sites
○ Elementary Schools (school year and summer school)
○ Daycares
○ Summer programs in 4 community park

18. Senior Living Sites
osmo tangram
ozobots
Makey Makey
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19. Outreach Programs + Library of Things
● Benefits in schools and parks programs - staff feedback
○ Student behaviors have improved - they want to participate
○ Early release days, more students are attending school
○ Learning to work together and cooperate
○ Higher level thinking has emerged
○ Girl/boy partnerships - girls think differently than boys
○ Teachers notice behaviors/skills in students they have not seen before
■ Change how they view some students
■ Find hidden skills in student
■ Find ways to partner difficult student

20. Schools and Parks
Speed, velocity, patterns
gravity
Force
motion
Problem behaviors change/disappear
Students look forward to our visit

21. Outreach Programs + Library of Things
● Teachers in grades K-2 are the most receptive during the
school year
○ For an average class (20-25 students) 45-90 minutes
○ Set up for 2 person stations
○ 10-15 stations (20 to 30 children)
○ Number each station have children rotate after about 5 minutes
■ Hands on top, everybody stop
● After school programs for grades K-5 and summer parks
○ If group is 25 and over break down by classes for each visit
○ If group is 25 or fewer
■ Have children pick a partner and item and let them go at it
■ Children will begin to leave, they gravitate to other stations

22. daycares/after School
engaged, happy
teamwork
trying
cooperate
Thinking

23. Questions?

24. Thank You!
If you have more questions:
Rob Nunez, Division Head of Support Services
Shannon Urban, Head of Adult & Digital Service
Heather Thompson, Head of Youth & Family Services
Lisa Langsdorf, Youth Outreach Librarian