Library of Things at San Mateo County Libraries
San Mateo County Libraries is proud to offer interactive items for checkout beyond traditional books and media.
Our Library of Things is a curated collection of items to help you find joy, discovery and excitement. There's something for everyone and best of all, everything is free to checkout!
Some items are available through our Equipment Reservation page, while others are found on a first come, first served basis on our In-Luck library shelves.
Explore With San Mateo County Libraries
Book-A-Bike
We have bicycles to borrow at the library! Each reservation includes a bike lock, helmet, bike light, basket and mini first aid kit. Take a ride and explore all the beautiful spots in San Mateo County.
Discover & Go Museum Passes
Explore everything the Bay Area has to offer with our Discover & Go Passes. Visit museums, art galleries and even botanical gardens all for free with these passes.
Sewing Machines
Getting crafty is "sew" easy with our sewing machines available for checkout. Whether you're hemming some pants or creating lavish costumes, our sewing machines can help you accomplish all your dream fabrications!
Board Games & Puzzles
Freshen up your family game night with our selection of board games, card games and puzzles for checkout! You can find board games in person on our library shelves, or place holds online through our catalog. We have classics like UNO and Monopoly, plus modern favorites like Exploding Kittens and Wingspan.
Laptop Computers & WiFi Hotspots
Our libraries offer free laptop computers and WiFi hotspots available for checkout or on-site use. Whether you're catching up on your favorite show, sending emails or need stable internet access, we've got you covered! Due to popular demand, laptops, hotspots and combos can now be placed on hold online or by contacting Customer Care.Â
County & State Park Passes
Getting out into nature is more accessible than ever with our free San Mateo County & California State Park passes. Granting you access to over 250 parks and nature reserves, these wildly popular passes can be checked out for 21 days at a time.
Discover Skills Backpacks
This toolkit features sensory toys, enrichment books and interactive activities to build your little one's emotional intelligence and social skills.
GoPro Cameras
Turn your latest adventure into a memorable movie with our GoPro Cameras available for checkout. The kit includes a camera, tripod, microphone and camera mount.
Hiking Backpacks
Upgrade your next hike with this rentable hiking gear. The Explore Our Parks Pack comes equipped with a California State Park pass, magnifying glass, binoculars, a hiking book, pamphlets on wildflowers, a flashlight, tick prevention kit and sun aid kit.
Hiking Poles
Our hiking poles come with several sets of detachable feet, storage caps (for transport), boot tips (for hard or slippery surfaces), snow baskets (for winter hiking or snowshoeing) and mud baskets (for mud, sand or other soft surfaces). As a piece of sports equipment, hiking poles require a waiver.
Junior Explorer Backpacks
Even the littlest explorers are worthy of a grand adventure! This Junior Explorer Backpack comes equipped with a magnifying glass, binoculars, colored pencils and more to make your young explorer's next adventure memorable and successful.
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Karaoke Machines
Warm up your singing voice, it's time for a karaoke party! These fun machines feature LED lights and two microphones. They're also Bluetooth compatible, so connect your device and start the jam session.
Seed Library
Visit a free seed library to find seeds for vegetables, fruits, herbs and other plants on a first come, first served basis. We encourage you to donate any extra seeds you have to grow your library's offerings!
Ukuleles
Calling all music lovers! Ukuleles are available for checkout for those who are looking to try something new or develop their musical skills. Be on the lookout for ukulele classes or jam sessions at a library near you.
Video Games
Games for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are now available to check out. If you don’t have a Nintendo Switch console at home, no worries! Stop by your nearby San Mateo County Libraries location to take a Nintendo Switch Lite home with you.
Water & Energy Saving Toolkits
Optimize your home's use of water and energy with this toolkit. It includes instructions, tools and supplies to make sure your at-home water and energy use is friendly to the environment and your wallet.
Read More About Our Library of Things
LIbrary of Things Blogs
Library of Things: For the Fun Lovers
Library of Things: For the Tech Lovers
Library of Things: For the Nature Lovers
All Library of Things items, except for Nintendo Switch Lite consoles and games, Board Games, Puzzles, Ukuleles and Discovery Skills Backpacks, require an adult 18 or older to check out. For any questions regarding our Library of Things, please contact Customer Care.
