Library of Things Policy

The Library of Things is a collection of non-traditional library items that actively support the Knoxville Public Library’s mission of providing traditional and innovative library resources, programs and services for the Knoxville community. This collection supports the KPL Strategic Plan by connecting people, places, and things through non-traditional library materials that will directly benefit the communities of Knoxville and Marion County.

The Library of Things collection is developed and managed to meet the educational, functional, recreational, and informational needs of library patrons of all ages in the City of Knoxville. The library’s professional staff will select materials and items based on the needs of library patrons. The library welcomes suggestions from the community concerning the inclusion of items into the collection. All suggestions for purchase are evaluated using the same criteria as for other materials and are not automatically added to the collection on suggestion alone.

The Library of Things is not intended to be comprehensive and the library is limited by storage space for these items. For a full list of items available, visit the library website or library catalog.

Library of Things Usage Guidelines

- Patron must be 18 years old to check out non-game items from the Library of Things. Board games and murder mystery kits have no age limit.

- Patrons must have a valid Knoxville Public Library card and verify their information to check out a non-game item from the Library of Things.

- Each card is restricted to two (2) items from the Library of Things at a time.

- Items from the Library of Things have a checkout period of two weeks with up to two (2) renewals if there are no holds on the item. Items will go to lost after seven (7) days of being overdue and the full cost of the item will be assessed to the patron’s account until the item is either returned or paid.

- Radon detectors have a checkout period of three (3) weeks with one renewal period of one (1) week as long as there are no holds on the item.

- All items from the Library of Things must be returned to the circulation desk. Items may not be returned in any outdoor book return.

- The borrower agrees that if any item becomes unsafe or in a state of disrepair, they will immediately stop use of the item and notify the library of the issue on return, if not earlier. Items are borrowed as is, and while the Knoxville Public Library will make efforts to assume that items are in good condition prior to checkout, it cannot be guaranteed.

- Borrowers will not be responsible for damage based on normal wear and tear. The library cannot accept a replacement in lieu of payment.

- Items intended for use with food or drinks cannot be guaranteed to be free from allergens or cross contamination.

- All Things are to be returned in the same condition as they were issued, barring normal wear and tear. Items must be returned clean. The borrower agrees to pay for the loss of or damage to any item, up to and including the full retail price of the item if deemed necessary.

Guidelines for Donations

Due to limited storage space and the staff time necessary to evaluate, test and maintain each Thing, the library can accept only a limited number of donations. The library does not accept materials that are not outright gifts, and cannot guarantee the permanence of a gift in the collection. Materials donated to the library are received with the understanding that they are subject to the same selection, evaluation and disposal criteria as material acquired for purchase.

Potential donations must be in new or like new condition. Before bringing items to the library, email knoxlib@knoxvilleia.gov with the following information:

1. What it is you would like to donate

2. Whether it is new or like new

3. Where all of the parts and/or instructions are included

4. Whether the item is in the original packaging

A staff member will get back to the patron within 5 to 10 business days to let them know whether the library will be able to accept their donation.

All donations must be pre-approved before being brought to the library.