‘We’re meeting a need of the community.’ Hoboken library rents out household items to the community

The Hoboken Public Library is offering people the chance to check out more than just books.

Director Jennie Pu says that libraries are the hub of the community, which is why the Hoboken library now has a new collection called “The Library of Things.” The library is allowing people to rent a variety of tools to use in their day-to-day lives.

“You live in an urban area; you don't have a lot of space at home for say an appliance that you use once a year, like a power washer. Springtime is coming, why wouldn't it be better to just borrow it for free?” Pu says.

She says the library has always been creative with its collection. Pu says the library will be meeting with the community to see what items they would like to see in the collection.

“We are meeting a need of the community that some people may not even realize they need. For example, I said the power washer. We also have a knife sharpener that’s been really popular Things like a telescope we also circulate that,” she says.

Other items include games, VHS players and more. Pu says the library purchases all the items and says that renting them is simple.

“All you need is a library card, which you can obtain for free. There’s a waiver you fill out online. You can borrow the things for up to two weeks at a time, return it and then you can check out another thing,” says Pu.

A list of items available can be found on the Hoboken Library website .