The library has many physical materials for checkout, including fiction and nonfiction titles for children and adults, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, and more. Educators can find books on homeschooling for themselves and books to supplement their students’ curriculums. These resources can easily be found by searching the library catalog or calling 314-994-3300; materials can be picked up curbside at all 20 branches during curbside service hours.
Highlighted below are some of the specialized kits and items available for checkout.
Book Discussion Kits
The library has a number of book discussion kits ready to be checked out. You can browse the kit lists on our website under the Reader’s Corner. If we do not have a kit for the title you are looking for, our Readers’ Advisory Department can pull together a kit from our collection.
Flip Kits
FLIP (Family Literacy Involvement Program) kits are a fun, interactive way for young children to engage with picture books. Each kit contains a book and materials for a related activity. The library replenishes the materials upon the kit’s return. FLIP Kits are available for checkout at all St. Louis County Library branches.
Games
The library has a collection of tabletop games for checkout, from Bananagrams to Ticket to Ride. We also check out puzzles. You can find games by looking for “tabletop game” in our catalog. Puzzles vary from location to location; ask the desk staff and they can check one out for you.
Musical Instruments
The library currently offers ukuleles, acoustic guitars, banjos, bongos, keyboards, xylophones, bass guitars, box drums, electric guitars, and djembes. Musical instruments often come with instructional books or DVDs. They check out for two weeks. Please keep in mind that you must pick them up at either Daniel Boone, Headquarters, Florissant Valley, or Grant’s View.
Parent Packs
Parent Packs are designed to help young children and their caregivers have meaningful, age-appropriate conversations about important topics. Each Parent Pack includes books and a resource list on a specific theme, such as First Day of School, Death, Potty Training, and Friendship. The kits can be checked out for two weeks. Parent Packs are geared towards families with children in second grade or younger.
Sci-Finders Kits
Sci-Finders Kits are a fun, hands-on activity kit. They center on a variety of science and technology topics, from levers to robotics. Some particularly noteworthy kits are the programmable Ozobots, the microscope kit, and our Lego sets. All kits check out for two weeks at a time and can be picked up at any location. You can find them in our catalog by searching “sci-finders.”
Telescopes and Binoculars
Check out a telescope or a pair of binoculars. Telescopes come with a pocket guide, a book of constellations, and a headlamp. Binoculars come with several pocket guides. Both check out for seven days at a time and can be picked up at any location.