It's National Library Week April 3 to 9, and we thought we'd take the opportunity to highlight some of the more unique items the Erie County Public Library has available to check out at Blasco and its other branches … other than their estimated 319,000 books!
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Seeds and plants library
Don't miss the seed and plant library near the front desk at Blasco where you can take home a houseplant or find seeds to add to your garden! These, of course, are not intended for return, but the library does rely on users to replenish seeds and plants and share as they can! Blasco also hosts an ongoing small plant exchange.
The Edinboro County Public Library and the Iroquois Public Library also have a seed library available for free use. The Millcreek Branch Library will host a plant exchange this summer. Keep your eye out for details!
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Museum passes
There are ExpERIEnce Children's Museum, Maritime Museum, and Erie Art Museum passes available to check out at all library locations. You can keep passes up to a week. They give you membership privileges — including taking care of admission costs! Ask at the front desk at area branches or put a hold on a pass online!
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Fishing poles and tackle boxes
Yep, that's right. You can check out child-size fishing poles and tackle boxes at the Blasco Library, which actually makes sense when you consider the library's beautiful location on Presque Isle Bay. Ask at the front desk if you're interested! Of course, you'll need to follow all state regulations still.
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A mobile hotspot
The Erie County Public Library T-Mobile Hotspot is an easy-to-use, mobile hotspot that connects your tablet, laptop and other Wi-Fi–enabled device to the Internet. You can connect up to 10 devices to 4G LTE and 3G networks. You can borrow the mobile hotspot for up to 10 days! This is perfect if going on a road trip or anywhere else where wi-fi might be spotty or not available. Ask at the front desk at area branches or put a hold on a hotspot online!
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Maker Kits
You can learn origami, knitting, knife sharpening, and much more by checking out a Maker Kit from the Blasco County Public Library's Idea Lab. Each of the more than dozen kits available at the library has a theme with related learning resources and supplies. You can find maker kits in the Idea Lab. Click here for more information, including a full list of available Maker Kits.
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Book Club in a Bag Kits
The Book Club in a Bag Kit contains everything a group needs to enjoy reading and discussing a book. Each bag includes ten copies of a title, a list of discussion questions, a biographical sketch of the author, and a book sign-up sheet to help the leader stay organized. Kits can be picked up at any library in Erie County and are loaned out for 60 days. Click here for more information, and a list of available titles.
The Erie County library branches of course, also have plenty more to discover, from the genealogy department (find your grandmother’s yearbook!), to audiobooks, to regular events like a Teen Reading Club and a chance to read to a therapy dog (you can find all library events on our Macaroni KID events calendar).
Stop by Blasco or another Erie County Public Library during National Library Week and explore! What interesting things can you find to take home?
