What is a Library of Things?

Many libraries provide collections of items to check out  that go beyond books. These items  are often things that are of special interest to our community or are just plain cool. This page lists all the different items that we, and some of our community partners, offer to our Staunton Public Library patrons. You can also browse the Library of Things collection directly in our catalog to see what is available right now. 

American Shakespeare Center Theater Passes 

These passes allow borrowers to book two free seats to shows chosen by the American Shakespeare Center each season. The passes will contain a discount code to any seat in the theater and will limit the pass holder to two free tickets in their transaction. Borrowers can either go online through the regular ticket buying process and enter the code during checkout, or borrowers can visit the box office and present the pass. The passes are only for performances on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. 

Adults with a Valley Libraries card in good standing can check out a pass on a first-come, first-served basis. Passes may be checked out for two weeks but holds and renewals are not allowed. Passes must be picked up and returned to a service desk at the Staunton, Waynesboro or Augusta County libraries.

These seasonal passes are unavailble to search for in the catalog when the American Shakespeare Center does not provide passes to us for select productions. While the ASC does not provide passes for all productions, they do provide ticket deals on their website for certain dates and evenings to make attending their performances more accessible. 

Art Prints

The Library has a collection of framed art prints which are located on the first floor. These prints may be checked out for 6 months.

Birding Backpacks

The Library has one backpack full of tools to start your birdwatching adventures. Generously donated by the Augusta Bird Club, the rugged backpacks contain a Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America book, a pair of high end binoculars and several informative brochures on native birds and birding hotspots in our area. 

Birding backpacks check out for three weeks and allow for one renewal, on any age Valley Libraries card in good standing. Holds are allowed. Backpacks must be returned to a service desk at the Staunton Public Library and are housed on the Ground Floor. 

Chromebook Checkout

The Staunton Public Library now offers Chromebooks for use at the Library. This service is ONLY available during operating hours.  Chromebooks check out for up to two hours and must be returned by time of closing. 

Checkout policy:

• Chromebooks check out for up to two hours to cardholders aged 18+. A form of ID will be held as collateral during the checkout period.
• Must be used on Library grounds. Wi-Fi is accessible in parking spots around the front of the building and at the picnic tables.
• Available on a first come first served basis. No holds or reservations required.
• There is a $5 per hour late fee if not returned on time.
• Replacement cost if stolen or damaged is $250.
• Chromebooks are sanitized and browser history deleted after each use.

Chromebooks do not have Microsoft Office available. You may plug in a USB and edit the following type of documents:

• Microsoft Word = opens in Google Docs
• Microsoft Excel = opens in Google Sheets
• Microsoft PowerPoint = opens in Google Slides

I Love Virginia State Parks Kits

These backpacks include a parking pass for free parking and entrance to all Virginia State Parks, various pocket naturalist guides to plants and animals, guides to the state parks, and various recreational and educational tools to maximize your fun at a Virginia State park. 
Presented in partnership from Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Science Museum of Virginia, Library of Virginia, Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Musical Equipment

A great opportunity to try out a new effects pedal or instrument before committing to buying! 

The Library has an assortment of musical instruments and guitar effect pedals. The Music Equipment collection is housed on the ground floor. Adult cardholders in good standing may check out up to two items for two weeks each, no renewals. Holds on on up to two pieces of music equipment are allowed, but must be placed by a library staff member. Music equipment must be returned to staff at the Staunton Public Library. They may not be returned to the Augusta County or Waynesboro libraries.

Museum Passes

The museum pass for the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia admits four children and two adults during normal operating hours. The pass is available for a 7-day checkout period; limit one pass per person with no renewals.

The museum pass for The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum entitles the borrower to two free adult tickets to the Guided Manse Tour and the Self-Guided Museum Tour during a 7-day checkout period, limit one pass per person with no renewals.

Outdoor Gear

A gear library is just like a regular library but for outdoor gear! You can search the catalog for items such as tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves, hiking poles, and child carrier backpacks. The best part is that it is free! In partnership with the Community Gear Library the library is pleased to offer these items for patrons to check out for one-week with no holds or renewals and items must be picked up and returned to the Staunton Public Library. An information session with the CGL is required. Sign up by filling out a form online or by emailing Staunton@communitygearlibrary.com.

Telescopes

The Library has two portable tabletop telescopes for checkout. Both are Zhumell Z114 Portable Reflector Dobsonian Telescopes, featuring high-end parabolic mirrors for brighter views, 1.25” 25mm eyepieces for wide field views, 1.25” 10mm eyepiece for higher magnification, and Red Dot Finders for precision.  Telescopes check out for two weeks to adult cardholders in good standing, no renewals. Holds on the telescopes are allowed, but must be placed by a library staff member and will be held for eight days. Telescopes must be returned to staff at the Staunton Public Library. They may not be returned to the Augusta County or Waynesboro libraries. Telescopes are housed on the ground floor. Never look at the sun with a telescope!