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Surprising Things You Can Check Out From Capital Area District Libraries

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Categories: Blog, Community, Employees

 
CATA CEO Brad Funkhouser and CADL Executive Director Scott Duimstra pose in front of bus
 
CATA champions community partnerships, and one of our treasured partnerships is with the Capital Area District Libraries. This library system in Ingham County has a special Library of Things, where adult cardholders can check out unique hands-on items.

Some of the unique materials you can check out from the Library of Things include:

1. A ghost hunting kit

Are there any spirits haunting Lansing? Scour the community for ghouls and ghosties with this five-piece kit:

  • Electromagnetic field meter
  • Spirit box
  • Digital voice recorder
  • UV flashlight
  • UV sunglasses

Click here for more details. Then hop on a Route 14 bus to the Turner-Dodge House to seek the ghost of Marion Turner or research these other local ghost stories. 

2. A sewing machine

Because making your own clothes and fabrics is sew cool (pun intended). Hone your skills with the Library of Thing’s Janome 525 sewing machine, which comes with too many accessories to list. 

3. Potter Park Zoo passes

CADL’s Library of Things also offers family passes to the Potter Park Zoo. One family pass provides free zoo admission for your household. The pass also covers parking!

Click here to learn more.

4. Banjos and ukeleles

It don’t mean a thang if it ain’t got that twang. These stringed instruments are just two of the many available to adult CADL cardholders. Browse the full list of instruments here. You may just find yourself taking home a guitar, keyboard, or otamatone for two weeks. 

5. A GoPro action kit

Use touch-screen and voice control features to capture HD footage on the GoPro HERO7 White camera. The camera is even waterproof up to 33 feet.

Click here to check out more camera features and all the accessories that come with the device.

6. Rokus pre-loaded with movies

What’s your favorite movie genre? The Library of Things likely has a Roku for it. A Roku plugs into your TV and allows you to stream CADL’s digital library of movies and shows.

Enjoy sci-fi, horror, comedy, drama, action films and more. Browse the full catalog of CADL Rokus here.

7. CATA 31-day fixed-route and 10-day rural service bus passes

We didn’t want to miss our chance to be part of the Library of Things! That’s why we teamed up with CADL to offer 31-day fixed-route and 10-ride rural service bus passes.

“I’m thrilled about our partnership with Capital Area District Libraries,” said our CEO Brad Funkhouser, “specifically about the opportunity to help raise awareness about CATA and CADL’s services.” 

“We both bring tremendous, immeasurable value to our communities,” Brad said. “This partnership is a unique way for us to demonstrate the true spirit of public service in action."

The passes have had an immediate impact on the local community.

In the short time they've been offered, the impact of having bus passes available in our Library of Things has been...

Posted by Capital Area District Libraries on Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Click here to browse the entire Library of Things collection. CADL is changing lives, fostering creativity and encouraging skill-building with this initiative. We're honored to play a role as a community partner.

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