Cool Things to Borrow

1. Customers must be 18 years or older with a Library card in good standing to borrow a Mobile Hotspot.
2. Use of the device is subject to the Library’s Public Internet Services Policy. Customers will sign that they agree to all terms and conditions before being permitted to borrow a Hotspot.
3. Service is available within Ontario. There is no roaming access.
4. The Library does not monitor or store any data related to users’ Internet use.
5. The replacement cost if the Hotspot is damaged, lost, or not returned is $200.00. Accessories such as the charger and cord will be charged according to replacement prices, typically $50. Hotspots may not be returned in the Book Drop, but must be returned in person to the circulation desk during the Library’s open hours.
6. Customers will be asked to complete an online survey about the Hotspot program: surveymonkey.com/r/MPLhotspot
7. Hotspots may be checked out for a three week period. The overdue fee is $2.00 per day (max $10). Internet will be suspended the day after the Hotspot is due to be returned. Customers who have been negligent with Hotspots or about returning Hotspots may be denied future Hotspot loans.

Customers are not automatically placed back on the list to reserve a Hotspot. They must place a hold for their next Hotspot loan by contacting staff, each time.

Borrow a set of 10 books for your own book club! Come to the library to see the titles we have available, and choose your title to borrow for 90 days (to lend, read, meet, and return). No holds and no renewals available.

1. The replacement cost if a book is damaged, lost, or not returned is $25 / copy.
2. The overdue fee is $0.25 per day.

MPL now has C-Pen readers available for patrons with varying abilities in reading print. The pens make it easy to process printed text, empowering people’s ability to read, understand and learn. Place your hold on a C-Pen reader here!

1. The replacement cost if the device is damaged, lost, or not returned is $380.
2. Devices may be checked out for a three week period. The overdue fee is $0.25 per day.

MPL now has two DAISY disc readers for loan to patrons with print disabilities. Loan periods may be extended as desired by the borrower, or until another patron requires a loan. A deposit collection of DAISY discs can be borrowed with each player, or register with CELA to receive your own. Come in to the Library, call 705-526-4216 or email [email protected] to borrow. Our thanks to the Huronia Community Foundation and community donors for their generosity.

We’ve launched a special Express Reads collection for adult fiction. You’ll find these books near our new releases. Copies of the most exciting new titles go out for 7 days, they’re non-holdable, and non-renewable – so more people can read the best new books, more quickly! If you want to be guaranteed a copy, or don’t read as quickly, you can still always place a hold and get your copy for the full 21 days.

MPL’s Maker @ Home Kits bring the MakerPlace to you! Adult members can borrow a kit for two weeks and the overdue fee is $2.00 per day. Place your holds here. Contact [email protected] with questions!

• Ozobots
  • Teach kids coding with Ozobots – small programmable robots that can identify lines, colors, and code sequences on both digital surfaces, such as tablets, and physical surfaces, like paper.
  • Check out this introductory video for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm_H8HXWFZ4
• Makey Makey
  • The Makey Makey is an electronic invention kit for all ages! The Makey Makey allows you to take everyday objects like bananas, playdough, or even tinfoil, and combine them with the internet. Using a circuit board, alligator clips, and a USB cable, this toy uses closed loop electrical signals to control your computer! A home laptop or desktop computer is required.
  • Learn more in Makey Makey’s How-to Guides: https://makeymakey.com/pages/how-to
• Arduino 
  • Arduino boards are a great place to get started when learning about coding and electronics. They are able to read inputs – light on a sensor, a finger on a button, or a Twitter message – and turn it into an output – activating a motor, turning on an LED, publishing something online. You can tell your board what to do by sending a set of instructions to the microcontroller on the board! A home laptop or desktop computer is required.
  • Learn more in the ‘Getting Started’ Guide: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoUno
  • Find additional tutorials here: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HomePage
• Dash and Dot
  • Dash and Dot are robots made for kids! Dash is a small mobile robot that is full of character and drives around making noises and shining lights. Dot is his sidekick. The robots help kids learn the basics of robotics and coding though play. The Wonder Workshop kit, which includes a xylophone and catapult, will spark creativity and encourage kids to use their imagination! A tablet and free app are required for controlling Dash and Dot.
  • Find the list of easy-to-use, free apps here: https://www.makewonder.com/apps/
  • Find the introductory video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA9py48X6_o
• Google Cardboard VR
  • Get it, fold it, and look inside to enter the world of Cardboard. Google Cardboard is a VR experience starting with a simple viewer that anyone can use to explore a variety of awesome apps! Google Cardboard is an inexpensive handheld device that powers a virtual reality (VR) experience using almost any smartphone.
  • You need only 3 things to use Google Cardboard:
    • Cardboard viewer: The “hardware” that is used to view VR content with a smartphone
    • Smartphone: Supplied by you, &
    • Android app: Created by third-party developers
  • Apps here: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=cardboard%20apps&c=apps&hl=en_US
  • Safety instructions here.
• Stop Motion Animation Kit
  • In our stop motion animation kit, you will find everything you need to make your own home Claymation movie! Included in the kit are a DIY green screen studio, a miniature tripod, and of course, playdough! Your own computer, smartphone, or tablet is required.
  • We recommend using the Stikbot Studio App!
  • Learn more about stop motion animation here: https://tinkerlab.com/easy-stop-motion-animation-kids/
• Lego Kit 
  •  Our Lego kit comes with Lego of all shapes and sizes, and includes Lego people as well as Lego challenge cards for added fun!
  • Check out the Lego Life Magazine for more fun and ideas: https://www.lego.com/en-ca/campaign/kids/legomagazine
• Make Do
  • Makedo is a cardboard construction kit that teaches kids through play to see the world not as it is but as it could be. Use specialized tools designed to be used with cardboard to design and build your own cardboard creations!
  • Learn more here: https://www.make.do/pages/how-to
  • Introductory video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwUZf22AvcE
• Spirograph Kit
  • Since it was first introduced in 1965, Spirograph has made it possible for aspiring artists of all ages to create beautifully intricate designs. The distinctive wheels and rings of Spirograph cleverly combine the principles of art and mathematics in a way that has inspired and delighted generations. This updated classic features precision engineered wheels and rings that are designed to work with most any pen, marker or pencil.
  • Learn more here: https://spirographicart.com/spirograph-tips-and-how-tos/

Borrow a ukulele from our lending & learning collection and check out the MPL YouTube channel for a series of introductory videos from ukulele instructor Sean McGaughey: https://youtu.be/biRL6WHLg6s

Our ukulele kits come with an instrument, instruction booklet, tuner and case, and can be checked out by adult members for 2 weeks (1 per card). The overdue fee is $2.00 per day. Place your holds here.

The Library is happy to loan Ontario Parks day passes, providing free access to our local Provincial Parks. Place your hold on a Parks pass here. We also have two non-holdable passes for express checkout – still a one-week period, but availability is first-come, first-served. Please note that it’s recommended to book your use of the day pass at Awenda Provincial Park in advance to ensure access.

1. Customers must be 18 years or older with a Library card in good standing to borrow an Ontario Parks day pass.
2. The replacement cost if the pass is damaged, lost, or not returned is $175.00.
3. Customers will be asked to complete an online survey about the Parks pass program:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPLParksPass
4. Passes may be checked out for a one week period. The overdue fee is $2.00 per day.

Thanks to their support, the Library is happy to loan Wye Marsh family passes, providing free access to their amazing site. Place your hold on a pass here.

1. Customers must be 18 years or older with a Library card in good standing to borrow a Wye Marsh family pass.
2. The replacement cost if the pass is damaged, lost, or not returned is $170.00.
3. Customers will be asked to complete an online survey about the Parks pass program:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPLParksPass
4. Passes may be checked out for a one week period. The overdue fee is $2.00 per day.

Thanks to their support, the Library is happy to loan Huronia Museum family passes, providing free access to their amazing site. Place your hold on a pass here.

1. Customers must be 18 years or older with a Library card in good standing to borrow a Huronia Museum family pass.
2. The replacement cost if the pass is damaged, lost, or not returned is $40.00.
3. Passes may be checked out for a one week period. The overdue fee is $2.00 per day.

Borrow a board game to take home to play with friends and family. All instructions and components are included. Visit our YouTube playlist for instructional videos on how to play a select number of our available games here.

Board Games are available for a 3 week loan period. Cardholders can borrow up to 2 games per card. No renewals. Replacement costs vary. Place your holds here.

Borrow these escape room kits, follow the setup instructions and see if you can break out! All instructions, clues and components are included. Assembly required. Call 705-526-4216 for assistance. Place your holds here. Kits may be checked out for a one week period. The overdue fee is $2.00 per day.

1. ‘A Trip to the Zoo’ – Recommended for families or ages 9-12. Help the Zookeeper track down his keys before feeding time for the animals.
2. ‘The Jewel Heist’  – Recommended for ages 12-18. Help crack the code and steal the jewels before security catches you.
3. ‘Subject X’ – Recommended for ages 18+. Collect your wits for a series of tests in order to survive population control.

Did you know that we have adventure kits for young learners? Choose from 5 different kits with books, activities, puppets, and more:
Dinosaurs
Insects
Frogs
Birds
Counting
Kits can be checked out for 3 weeks, no renewals (1 per card).

Place your holds here.

The Library is happy to loan outdoor equipment thanks to the support of the Culture Alliance and Jill and Bob Strachan. Do a search for the item you’re interested in and place your holds in our online catalogue or call 705-526-4216 for assistance. Equipment includes:

• Walking poles, pedometers
• GoPro cameras (use your own SD card)
• Monoculars, telescopes, microscopes
• Outdoor games: Bocce, Croquet, Disc golf, Badminton
• Snowshoes

1. Patrons are responsible for replacement costs if the equipment is lost or damaged.
2. Equipment is used at the patron’s own risk.
3. Equipment may be checked out for a one week period (2 items per card). The overdue fee is $2.00 per day (max $10).

MPL is a loaner site for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters’ TackleShare program, sponsored by Ontario Power Generation. Fishing rods, reels, and tackle are available for weeklong loans for our adult members, to help families enjoy this fun, relaxing hobby together. The overdue fee is $2.00 per day. Come into the Library to pick yours up!

MPL is a loaner site for carbon dioxide monitors, sponsored by Community Access to Ventilation Information (CAVI). Are you concerned about indoor air quality? These devices measure carbon dioxide levels, temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure. (These are not carbon monoxide monitors). Adult patrons can borrow a monitor for one week at a time. The overdue fee is $2.00 per day. Replacement cost if the device is lost or damaged is $325. Place your holds here.

Light Therapy Lamps are designed to mimic spring and summer light levels and help treat the “winter blues,” or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Midland Public Library is pleased to provide lamps for two week loans to adult members and the overdue fee is $2.00 per day. Place your holds here.
Turn the lamp on and sit, read or work in front of it for 20-30 minutes. For sensitive users, gradual exposure is recommended. Sit about 2 feet away. Face the lamp and allow the light to shine on your face but not directly in your eyes. Do not stare directly into the light. Adjust the angle of the lamp to suit your position.
Light therapy is considered to be safe. Side effects are rare and if they occur they are usually mild and can include nausea, headaches and/or eye strain. There are no known long-term side effects of light therapy. If you experience discomfort, stop using the lamp and contact your doctor.
People with certain medical conditions (retinal disease, macular degeneration or diabetes), and those taking certain medications (melatonin, thioridazine, or lithium) should consult a doctor before using light therapy lamps. The light therapy lamp should not be viewed as a cure, and other measures including staying fit, sleeping well and eating healthy are also very beneficial for treating the symptoms of mood disorders. Use of the lamp is at your own discretion. Midland Public Library is not liable for any health issues related to the use of the lamp.

The Simcoe County Cultural Places Pass is available for free, once reserved, from any County library. Eight cultural institutions are participating in the program – Collingwood Museum, Huronia Museum, Leacock Museum, MacLaren Art Gallery, Museum on the Boyne, Nancy Island Historic Site, Orillia Museum of Art & History and Simcoe County Museum. The museums are all offering family passes for the day. There is one pass available per day for each cultural institution. Reserve your pass here.

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Cognitive Care Kits

Thanks to funding from the Government of Ontario, you can check out one of our nine themed cognitive care kits. Each kit contains three activities designed to help you engage with your loved one who is living with dementia or other cognitive disabilities, as well as a sheet of tips to help set you up for success.  Kits can be checked out by an adult member for 2 weeks (1 per card).