Learn Something New at the Library
If it’s been a while since you last visited your local library, stop in and see what’s new. Did you know that many public libraries offer a “Library of Things” collection, which can include anything from household items to electronics and toys? A library card is free in most communities and there are a ton of things to explore.
Check into what your branch has (and maybe even the neighboring town) and see what appeals. Start by visiting their website and looking for “Library of Things”.
Here are a few things to seek out:
- Musical Instruments like ukuleles, guitars, and banjos.
- Tech and makerspaces like Wi-Fi hotspots and science/STEM kits, 3D printing, and Memory Depots to digitize old formats like VHS.
- Family activities like board games and puzzles.
- Cakepans and other baking tools with more cookbooks than you could ever cook your way through.
- Outdoor gear like pickleball sets, gardening tools, seed exchanges, and camping and fishing gear.
- State Park backpacks with parking passes.
- Healthcare items like blood pressure kits.
Let your local library give you the hands-on experience to try something new (without the investment).
Also, did you know that VCU libraries offers Services for VCU Faculty and Staff?
VCU faculty and staff have full access to VCU Libraries resources, including borrowing materials, accessing online databases (e.g., PubMed, Web of Science), and using research guides. Employees can use their VCU ID card at both the James Branch Cabell Library and Health Sciences Library and can authorize up to five people, such as partners, to borrow materials in their name
Key Access and Services for VCU Employees:
- Borrowing: Access to physical collections and interlibrary loans.
- Online Resources: Remote access to journals, databases, and digital collections via VCU credentials.
- Proxy Borrowers: Faculty/staff can designate a partner to receive borrowing privileges.
- Special Collections: Access available on-site with self-service scanning options.
- Support: Research assistance and Course Content services are available.
For more information, employees can visit the VCU Libraries Faculty/Staff page
VCU Employees
Included are the following groups:
- Full-time, part-time, staff, administrative, interns/residents, retired and emeritus (EMER) faculty
- Faculty not employed full-time at the University who participate in educational, research and/or clinical programs and are affiliated with the INOVA Health System (INOVA).
- Employees of the Hunter McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) who have been granted full-time academic appointment with the University.
- Students, staff and faculty participants in the International Programme in Addiction Studies (IPAS).
- Preceptors, clinical faculty, clinical affiliates, field instructors, or coordinating teachers are all names referring to experts in various fields who provide teaching, training, supervision and mentoring to VCU students in an on-the-job, apprenticeship-type environment for a specified length of time.
- Employees of the Community Memorial Hospital in South Hill, Virginia.
Services include:
- Retrieval and delivery of loans (books, CDs, DVDs, etc.) to your campus box address or held for pick-up at one of the libraries. This includes items from the VCU Libraries circulating collections such as storage and the general collections (document delivery) and items borrowed from other libraries on your behalf (interlibrary loan).
- Electronic delivery of copies (articles, chapters, etc.) of items located in VCU Libraries collections as well as items borrowed from other librariess.