Checking out books, movies ... and cake pans?

Kokomo Howard County Public Library offers unusual items through its Experience Kits

Everyone knows books can be checked out at a library. But how about a cake pan? Or a pressure washer? Or an umbrella?

The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library offers a variety of items few would expect as part of its Experience Kit loan program. According to Lisa Fipps, KHCPL’s Head of Marketing and Community Engagement, the kits are a new way to reach out to the community and get them involved with the library by offering things people might want or need, but don’t have the resources or desire to purchase.

“It’s a trend that started in libraries a few years ago, and we jumped in on it,” said Fipps. “You check out the kits just like you would a book, and you don’t pay a penny … unless you don’t return it. We try to think of everything.”

The library has experience kits centered around a portable digital scanner, a karaoke machine, a laminator, a stud finder, a cricut machine. a metal detector, and even an ice scraper. Each of these kits can be checked out of any library branch for up to two weeks at a time.

“It has been pretty popular so far,” said Fipps. “Some of the items actually have a waiting list to be checked out.”

The library recently began promoting the experience kits on social media. Among the first to be publicized was a kit for those who have red-green colorblindness. It includes a pair of Enchroma glasses, along with a kaleidoscope, and the book “Life in Color” from National Geographic. Other kits receiving publicity were aimed at people suffering from dementia.