Gear and Gadgets

Borrow from our Library of Things

Explore the Gear & Gadgets Collection and borrow amazing stuff, including telescopes, sewing machines, musical instruments, maker kits, and outdoor backpacks.

Explore the world

Grand River Conservation Area Day Pass (unlimited daily entries for one vehicle to GRCA parks)
Ontario Provincial Parks Day Pass (unlimited daily entries for one vehicle to 100+ provincial parks)
Art Gallery of Hamilton Family Pass (free admission for up to four adults; those under the age of 18 are already free)
Hiking Backpack (includes Nordic trekking poles, headlamps, and compasses)
Birdwatching Backpack (includes four sets of binoculars)
GoPro Hero 7 Camera & Adventure Kit (does not include SD card)
GoPro Hero 7 Camera & Outdoor Sports Accessories Kit (does not include SD card)
Metal Detector Kit (locate coins, keys, and more!)
Stargazing Backpack (includes telescope, binoculars, and compass)
Microscope (view biological specimens and examine 3D objects in detail)
Letterboxing Backpack (includes tools you need to create your own stamps)
Insect Backpack (includes butterfly nets, bug containers, and magnifying glasses)

Explore creativity

Sewing Machine (an entry-level sewing machine)
Serger (serge lightweight to heavy-duty fabrics)
Spinning Wheel & Roving (a wooden lendrum spinning wheel)
Stamp Mat & Paper Piercer (perfect for scrapbooking, making greeting cards, and other handicraft projects)
Soldering Iron Kit (includes soldering iron, wire, and paste)
Rubber Stamp Kits (many themed kits to choose from)
Bookmark Mold Set (use to create resin bookmarks)
Wood Burning Kit (use to etch designs on the surface of wood)
Paper Punch Kits (many themed kits to choose from)
Tracer Projector (enlarges artwork up to ten times its original size)
Acoustic Guitar (includes guitar, picks, and tuner)
Soprano Ukulele (includes ukulele, picks, and tuner)

Two pictures. The first, shows a woman playing with a makey-makey kit from the library and playing music with wires hooked up to bananas. The second, showcases a Moonlight nighttime storybook projector and available stories sitting on a table top.

Explore technology

Artie 3000 (Creativity meets coding: get started with dozens of preprogrammed designs and games, or write your own custom code to see what Artie 3000 can do)
Botley 2.0 (teaches kids to code through play and problem-solving)
Blazer the Dragon (a coding critter for kids)
Skye the Unicorn (a coding critter for kids)
Ranger & Zip (coding critters for kids)
Code & Go Mouse (this light-up mouse teaches early coding skills to kids)
Blue-Bot & Bee-Bot (basic coding fun for kids)
Moonlight Storybook Projector (uses your phone's camera to project storytimes onto a wall or ceiling)
Launchpads (smart tablets pre-loaded with games and brain teasers; no internet connection required)
iPad 6 Kit
Makey Makey Kit (an electronic invention kit; all ages)
Osmo Starter Kit (teaches logic and coding skills)
Osmo Starter Kit with iPad 2 (expand your coding knowledge with fun games)
Ozobot (learn computer coding by programming tiny golf-ball sized robots)
Code-a-Pillar (a coding critter for kids)
BBC Micro:bit Basic Starter Kit (make cool creations, from robots to musical instruments)
VHS-to-DVD Converter (convert VHS tapes to recordable DVD-R discs)
Raspberry Pi 2 (create cool projects with this technology kit)

Two images: the first is a stylized overhead view of common household tools and a drill arranged on a table top; the second features a small stack of self-help books and a Verilux therapy light.

Explore your home

SADD Lamp (this HappyLight mimics sunlight to help enhance mood, energy levels, and sleep and focus)
Multimeter (use to measure electricity)
Toolbox (includes 132 common household tools)
Radon Detector (monitor radon gas in your home)
Power Drill with Accessories
Gardening Backpack (includes books and sets of gardening tools for both adults and children)
Gardening Tools (adult)
Gardening Tools (kids)

Two images: the first features a short row of three clear backpacks each containing childrens books and related toys; the second shows a young boy playing pickle ball on a pickle ball court.

Explore play

Make & Play To Go Kits (14 different kits available; each kit features a toy, themed children's books, and an activity binder)
Physical Literacy Backpack (provided by Healthy Kids Community Challenge)
FitBit Activity Tracker (measure daily steps and heartrate)
FitBit Activity & Sleep Tracker (measure daily steps, flights of stair climbed, heartrate, and sleep quality)
Pickleball Sets (everything you need to play pickleball)
Disc Golf Kits (everything you need to play disc golf)
Fishing Backpack (contains three children's fishing rods)
Snowshoeing Backpack (contains two sets of adult snowshoes and two sets of children's snowshoes)