Library of Things
More than just books!
You probably know that we have books. Best-sellers, fast lane, talking, electronic, fiction, non-fiction, picture, easy read, romance, history, thrillers – the list could go on but we hate to brag.
But did you know that we also have items in our collection that have nothing to do with books?
Check out the other items that are free to borrow with your library card:
Looking for instructions for any of our Library of Things? Visit Niche Academy!
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An Arduino is a microcontroller motherboard used to build digital devices and interactive objects and are a great tool for learning about programming and electronics.
This starter kit features 15 simple projects that show you how to use Arduino to turn an idea into reality. More importantly, it provides the basic knowledge and tools that can bring out your inner genius and fuel your creativity forever.
Arduino kits have a 21 day loan period and must be returned to any branch Service Desk; no dropbox or locker return.
Funding generously provided by Frank Cowan Insurance.
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Check out a pair of binoculars today to get a closer look at birds and other wildlife in our community.
Binoculars are available at all branches and have a 7 day loan period.
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Self-measuring your blood pressure allows you to track and to share those readings with your doctor to better manage your high blood pressure.
Our blood pressure monitoring kits include an electronic blood pressure monitor, arm cuff, AC adapter, a user guide and educational materials.
The kits are available at all branches and have a 21 day loan period.
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Grab a board game to play in the library, or take one home with you!
Board games have a 7 day loan period.
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Aranet4 HOME sensor is an innovative air quality monitor that measures CO₂ level, temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure. The device is suitable for monitoring the CO₂ level at home, in school, office, or any other indoor environment.
CO₂ monitors have a 21 day loan period and can be returned at any branch and in the lockers or drop boxes if the container fits.
Check out a CO₂ Monitor today!
Additional Resources
- Health Canada: Carbon dioxide in your home
- Health Canada: Improve indoor air quality in your home
- Health Canada: Ventilation and the indoor environment
- Health Canada: Maintain and improve indoor air quality
Monitors were generously provided by Community Access to Ventilation Information (CAVI).
Please note: These devices are not carbon monoxide detectors and are not life safety devices.
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A DAISY reader is an assistive device which plays a special type of audiobook format called Digital Accessible Information.
Users can listen to the audiobook, search the text, place bookmarks, navigate line by line, and control the speaking speed of the text. These machines also play MP3-CDs and regular audiobooks on CD.
CPL’s model is a Victor Reader Classic.
DAISY readers have a 21 day loan period and are available at the Albion Bolton branch, or you can place a hold and have one delivered to the branch of your choice. It must be returned to any branch Service Desk; no dropbox or locker return.
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A dhol is a double-sided barrel drum played mostly as an accompanying instrument to the traditional Punjabi dance of Bhangra. It is widely used in India, usually in the Punjab region.
The dhol comes in a bag and includes a strap and 3 different sticks for playing. Click here for a tutorial.
Dhols have a 21 day loan period and are available at the Southfield Village branch, or you can place a hold and have one delivered to the branch of your choice.
Check out a dhol drum today or view the entire Music Collection.
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Our latest addition to our instrument collection – dholak drums!
The dholak or dholki is a double-headed hand drum originating in India and Pakistan. It is often used in traditional Indian music as well as Indian folk music, and is a staple of Indian weddings.
We have one large and one small dholak, and each one comes with a carrying bag. Click here for a tutorial.
Dhols have a 21 day loan period and must be returned to a branch. You can place a hold and have one delivered to the branch of your choice.
Check out a dholak drum today or view the entire Music Collection.
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Borrow a GoPro Hero 7 camera and accessories including 32GB SD card.
A GoPro is a small, wearable, rugged camera that can be used for point and shoot pictures or action video.
GoPros have a 7 day loan period and must be returned to any branch Service Desk; no dropbox or locker return.
Funding generously provided by Frank Cowan Insurance.
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You can channel your inner rockstar by borrowing a guitar or ukulele with your CPL card! The collection is housed at the Albion Bolton Branch but holds can be placed for pick up at any branch.
Instruments have a 21 day loan period and must be returned to any branch Service Desk; no dropbox or locker return.
Try a guitar or ukulele today or view the entire Music Collection.
What to know more about playing and tuning? Check out our Reference Guide for Acoustic Guitars and Concert Ukuleles. We also have a tutorial with handy links for your convenience.
This collection was launched with financial support from Brampton and Caledon Community Foundation and Friends of Caledon Public Library with continued support from Degazon Music Studios.
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Our mobile Wi-Fi hotspots provide Internet access to Wi-Fi enabled devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs. They offer unlimited data and work anywhere within Canada where there is Rogers cellular coverage.
Hotspots are available at all branches and have a 7 day loan period. You must have a valid CPL library card and be 18+ years old to borrow a hotspot, or be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Kill-A-Watt monitors help you assess the efficiency of your appliances, and cut down on costs by monitoring your expenses over time.
The monitors are available at select branches and have a 21 day loan period. Call 905-857-1400 ext 228 for more information.
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Preloaded with content, Launchpad tablets are 100% secure, have no download time, no need for Wi-Fi, and provide access to educational and engaging content. Their interactive, multimedia content is curated and bundled together by age from 3 years to adult, and by subject and themes such as STEAM, language arts, math, science, animals and nature as well as brain games for adults.
Launchpads are available at all branches and have a 21 day loan period.
Explore our launchpad collections for children and adults today!
Funding for the adult launchpad collection generously provided by Palgrave Rotary
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Chase away your winter blues with light therapy lamps for in-house use at selected branches. A limited quantity are also available to check out to use in the comfort of your own home.
The bright light from this therapy lamp simulates the natural sunlight that may be missed during the winter months or as people work or live in a space without adequate natural lighting. Light plays an essential role in our circadian rhythm, which affects our energy levels, mood and sleep.
Light therapy lamps are available at all branches and have a 7 day loan period.
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A special backpack collection dedicated to kids, 3 – 12, who want to discover and explore the great outdoors.
Each backpack features books, an activity package and other interactive tools to make your outdoor trek all that more adventurous.
Nature backpacks have a 7 day loan period; no renewals. Only one backpack can be placed on hold per card. Please return to any branch Service Desk; no dropbox or locker return.
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Ontario Parks Passes includes a day-use permit for one vehicle and its passengers to any provincial park in Ontario subject to park regulations. Valid between January 1 and December 31, 2023.
A vehicle permit, a $5 day-use coupon, is also included, which can be kept for future regular day-use.
Passes have a 7 day loan period.
Advanced booking may be required, please check the Ontario Parks Blog for the latest list.
To reserve your day use, please visit the Ontario Parks reservation site.
Borrow an Ontario Park pass today!
Caledon Public Library acknowledges the support of the Government of Ontario in bringing the health benefits of access to nature to library cardholders.
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Lendable Osmo kits are available at select branches allowing you and the kids to play hands-on learning games that feature drawing, literacy, physics puzzles, spatial reasoning, coding, and more. An iPad is needed as this kit does not work with Android tablets.
Osmo kits have a 7 day loan period and must be returned to the service desk and not placed in the drop box or in the lockers.
Choose from our array of Osmo Kits today!
We have a handy tutorial on Niche Academy if interested.
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Have some mini innovators in your life? Our Ozobot kits are a great introduction to coding! These pocket-sized coding robots follow the lines you draw with markers and respond to colour codes by changing their speed, direction or LED light colour. Once you learn the basics, you can use drag-and-drop coding to build more advanced programs.
Ozobots have a 21 day loan period.
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A Peel Art Gallery Museum & Archives (PAMA) Family Pass entitles up to 7 people (2 adults, 5 children) family general admission. Borrow a PAMA pass today!
PAMA is a place to explore and learn about Peel’s culture and heritage, as well as use conversation, questions and stories to help make new and fascinating connections to the surrounding community. A variety of workshops and programs are offered for all ages.
For more information visit http://www.pama.peelregion.ca/
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Pedometers track the number of steps taken in a day, allowing you to set goals and increase your fitness level.
Pedometers are available at all branches and have a 21 day loan period.
Borrow a pedometer today, and get stepping!
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Off to the lake or cottage? Borrow a pfd!
PFDs/life jackets may be taken out for 14 days at a time. You must be 18+ and sign a waiver at the library to check out.
Useful information:
- Canadian Red Cross: How to choose lifejackets for kids
- Government of Canada: Choosing lifejackets and personal flotation devices (PFDs)
This item is seasonal.
This collection is a partnership between CPL and the Town of Caledon’s Recreation Department.
The Town of Caledon and Caledon Public Library disclaims all responsibility for any injuries or damage that might occur to your person from use of any supplied equipment. The use of the supplied equipment does not replace or eliminate the need for active adult supervision and responsible behavior of the user in and around the water.
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Are you taking your dog to the lake or cottage and want to ensure their safety in the water? Borrow a DOG pfd!
PFDs/life jackets may be taken out for 7 days at a time.
This item is seasonal.
Caledon Public Library disclaims all responsibility for any injuries or damage that might occur to your pet from use of any supplied equipment. The use of the supplied equipment does not replace or eliminate the need for active adult supervision and responsible behavior around the water.
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The radon detector allows you to monitor radon gas levels within your home over a one month period.
Borrow a radon detector today!
To ensure accuracy, radon detectors can only be borrowed between October 1 and March 15, and should only be used when heat is turned on in your home.
Radon detectors have a 35 day loan period and must be returned to any branch Service Desk; no dropbox or locker return.
Useful information:
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Get started in the world of Raspberry Pi! Learn to build your own credit card sized computer, get started with programming, set up a Media Center and make simple electronic circuits.
Raspberry Pi kits have a 21 day loan period and must be returned to any branch Service Desk; no dropbox or locker return.
Borrow a Raspberry Pi kit today!
Funding generously provided by Frank Cowan Insurance.
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C-Pen scanning pens read text aloud with natural speaking voices, store text, and look up and explain words in high tier dictionaries. Hear individual words and lines of text read aloud. Completely self-contained, No computer or Wi-Fi required to use reading function.
The scanning pens have a 7 day loan period.
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The Caledon Seed Library is a free community-led seed saving initiative. It is committed to conserving Caledon’s rich agricultural ecosystem by preserving local plant varieties through distributing, growing, nurturing, harvesting, and sharing seeds. Our collection of seeds have been specifically selected based on Caledon’s climate and growing conditions.
With your CPL library card, you can take out 10 seed packages/visit. No due date, no cost!
Visit Our Seed Cabinets
- Albion Bolton Branch,150 Queen Street South, Bolton
- Alton Branch, 35 Station Street, Alton
- Caledon East Branch, 6215 Old Church Road, Caledon East
- Inglewood Branch, 15825 McLaughlin Road, Inglewood
- Southfields Village Branch, 225 Dougall Avenue, Caledon
In partnership with Albion Hills Community Farm and Bolton & District Horticultural Society.
Do you have seeds that you would like to donate? It’s as simple as 1,2,3. Donate your seeds to continue to GROW the collection.
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Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)’s partnership with Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) gives members access to a variety of local places and activities.
- Passes will admit up to 6 people to all CVC & TRCA conservation areas in 1 vehicle
- FREE general admission, to all six TRCA Parks, including Albion Hills, Boyd, Bruce’s Mill, Glen Haffy, Heart Lake, Petticoat Creek, as well as Black Creek Pioneer Village and Kortright Centre,
- FREE general admission to all of CVC Conservation Areas, including Belfountain, Island Lake, Ken Whillans and Terra Cotta Conservation Areas Note: The Upper Credit Conservation Area will be closed during the restoration of pedestrian bridge August 22 to Sept 15.
- FREE parking when visiting TRCA locations. Some restrictions apply*.
- FREE Cross-Country Ski Trail admission at Albion Hills.
- FREE general admission to special events such as the Maple Syrup Festival, Kite Festival, and Pioneer Festival.
- Discount at pools located at Albion Hills, Heart Lake and Petticoat Creek Conservation Areas.
- Savings at Albion Hills, Indian Line, and Glen Rouge campgrounds.
- Discounts at Treetop Trekking located at Heart Lake Conservation Area and at Bruce’s Mill.
In addition:
- Discounts on Black Creek Pioneer Village’s Christmas By Lamplight tickets
- Discounts on a variety of events at Credit Valley Conservation Area
- 10% Discount on food and retail purchases at TRCA locations
- 10% Discount on workshops and Kortright Centre and Black Creek Pioneer Village
- 15 % Discount on Credit Valley Conservation Area’s equipment rentals
*Parking is only free when visiting TRCA locations during normal operating hours. Membership features are subject to change.
*Some restrictions apply. See website (www.conservationparks.ca) for details and a link to our park guides.
Passes also include access to the Belfountain Conservation Area and the Cheltenham Badlands. It is suggested to make a reservation:
• After checking out a TRCA/CVC park pass at the library, call Visitor Services at 1-800-367-0890
• Make a reservation quoting the code on the back of the park pass and the card number (e.g. Caledon Library pass #12)
• Bring the pass/card and show to the parks gate keeper upon entering
• Return the TRCA/CVC park pass to the library after visitPasses are available at all branches and have a 7 day loan period.
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Is travel in your future? Borrow one of our international travel adaptors with 4 USB plus type C ports in a handy case. Maximum input is 100-240 Vac 50/60 Hz.
Adaptors are available at all branches and have a 21 day loan period.
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Going for a hike? Check out our walking poles!
Walking poles, or hiking poles, can help provide stability, balance and support on trails and hikes. Sets contain two walking poles that extend to a full length of 54 inches and feature a wrist strap and comfort grip.
Walking poles have a 7 day loan period, are renewable, and must be returned to any branch Service Desk; no dropbox or locker return.
Check some walking poles out today!
Caledon Public Library is not responsible for any injuries or damages, either personal or to property, that may occur during the use of this equipment. By borrowing this equipment, the user acknowledges and assumes all such risks and liabilities.
Would you like to suggest a recommendation to add to our Library of Things? Send us your thoughts with our Comments & Suggestions form.
