Brooklyn's Public Library has launched its first-ever craft supply lending program, stocked with over 30 unique tools and kits for rent. Crochet hooks, thermal laminators and button makers are among the items now available to hobbyists, with patrons able to borrow craft kits for three weeks and tools for a week for free. The initiative aims to remove financial barriers for those exploring new hobbies, says librarian Jessica Harwick, who spearheaded the project.

With the launch of this new collection, Brooklyn joins a growing trend of libraries expanding their offerings beyond books. The Arts & Music space at the Central Library, now renovated and home to the craft library, also features a teen center and a new wing dedicated to art and music books. The fourth-edition Cricut Maker, a nearly £400 machine, is part of the impressive collection.

Members of the public are encouraged to donate gently used tools or supplies, with the caveat that ‘consumable’ materials like yarn, paint, or glue will not be accepted.

The craft library, launched to coincide with the ribbon cutting of the renovated Arts & Music space, reflects a broader shift in perceptions of what a library can be. As Fritzi Bodenheimer, a spokesperson for the Brooklyn Public Library, notes, 'A library is a lot more than just books.'