Library of Things Collection

The Wichita Public Library's "Library of Things" is a non-traditional library collection offering a variety of equipment you can borrow for at-home use. An adult (18+) Wichita Public Library card in good standing is required to borrow these materials. You may have 2 Library of Things items checked out at one time.

Anatomical Models

Your Wichita Public Library wants to create college and career ready students. If you're exploring a career in the medical field, or simply want to learn more about the human body, you can now borrow anatomical models to study. Models include:

• Classic Eye Model: Three times life size, dissectible into six parts: both halves of choroid with iris and retina; both halves of sclera with cornea and eye muscle attachments; lens; and vitreous humor.
• Ear Model: One-piece, full-size model shows outer ear, ear canal, and inner ear mechanisms including ossicles, cochlea, nerve, and Eustachian tube.
• Eight-Part Human Brain Model: Full-size human brain molded from PVS plastic and hand-painted to show lobes. Mounted in a rotatable metal harness on a plastic stand, the brain can be removed and dissected into eight anatomically correct parts. Includes over 50 labeled structures of the brain and a fold-out laminated color guide indicating brain structures. One side of the guide includes names, while the other side shows only numbers for student assessment.
• Heart Model: Two-piece model opens in half to show inner chambers and valves of the heart as well as aortic arch, superior and inferior vena cava, pulmonary and cardiac veins.
• Kidney Model: Two times life size, longitudinal section of right kidney and adrenal gland. Model highlights renal artery and vein and minor calyx, interlobular artery and vein, and ureter.

(Descriptions from Nasco Education website.)

You can borrow an Anatomical Model for 14 days. There are 2 renewals* for this item.

Binoculars

The Library is for explorers! Now you can check out a Vortex Crossfire 8x42 binoculars kit from your Wichita Public Library. Each binoculars kit contains a pair of binoculars with neck strap, padded protective case, instructional manual, and three pamphlets:

• The Night Sky Seasonal Pocket Guide
• Kansas Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species
• Moon: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Moon, its Surface Features, Phases, and Eclipses

You can borrow a binoculars kit for 14 days. There are 2 renewals* for this item.

Chromebook and Laptop Kiosk (in-Library use only)

Chromebooks and laptops are available to borrow from a kiosk at the Advanced Learning Library and can be used anywhere inside the Advanced Learning Library, including the terrace on the second floor. This is ideal for flexible work within the Library. These devices may not be removed from the building.

You can borrow a Chromebook or laptop from the kiosk for 3 hours. You may use one Chromebook or laptop at a time.

Chromebooks

The Library has a collection of Chromebooks that can be checked out from the building. These are ideal for when you are somewhere with internet access but without a computer. The Chromebooks do not include a hotspot, so you will need to connect to a Wi-Fi network or hotspot to access the internet.

These Chromebooks are preloaded with the following apps:

Finch Robots

The Finch Robot 2.0 is a programmable robot that brings computer science to life by providing students from kindergarten to college a hands-on representation of their code. These robots work with many different programming languages and come with extensive features. Finch Robot 2.0 requires use of Crayola Paint Brush Pens or markers of a similar size to work. Pens are not included.

You can borrow a Finch Robot for 14 days. There are 2 renewals* for this item.

Hotspot Announcement & Quick Start

Hotspots

Access to the internet at home has never been easier. With a Library-provided mobile hotspot, you can do all sorts of activities that require an internet connection: checking email, paying bills online, applying for jobs, conducting research, and more. Hotspot checkout is possible thanks to a gift in memory of Forrest C. & Frances H. Lattner through the Wichita Public Library Foundation.

You can borrow a hotspot for 14 days. There are 2 renewals* for this item.

Have you used one of the Library's hotspots? Please fill out our mobile hotspot survey.

Microscopes

Investigate objects too small for the eye to see with the Amscope microscope kit. Power the microscope with either the included power adapter or three AA batteries (not included). Each microscope kit has:

• An Amscope 40X-1000X portable dual light glass lens metal frame student monocular microscope with power adapter and vinyl carrying bag
• A 10X and a 25X eyepiece
• 12 piece slide kit in a wood box
• A book, The World of the Microscope by Chris Oxlade

You can borrow a microscope kit for 14 days. There are no renewals for this item.

How to Set Up a Radon Test

Radon Detectors

Sponsored by Pure State Services LLC, these radon detectors let customers test radon levels in their homes or businesses. Radon is a colorless, odorless and radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors over time. The gas is a decay of Uranium/Radium that is released into the air, and is the second leading cause of lung cancer. According to the EPA, Sedgwick County is considered to be a medium risk zone for radon.

You can borrow a radon detector for 14 days. There are 2 renewals* for this item.

Library Telescopes: Quick Start Guide

Telescopes

Look to the stars with the Orion StarBlast Astronomical Telescope available to borrow from your Wichita Public Library. This telescope has been reviewed by a number of astronomical publications and is found to be a great resource for stargazing and learning about the solar system. Each telescope is mounted on a wooden base and has a large optical tube, meaning objects will appear in great detail. Telescope checkout is possible thanks to the generosity of the Georgia Eakins family.

You can borrow a telescope for 14 days. There are 2 renewals* for this item.

Collections for Kids

In addition to the Library of Things collection, the Wichita Public Library has non-traditional collections designed for children that can be checked out on a child or adult library card in good standing. This includes our Playaway Launchpads and the Kits collection, which is divided into Early Learning Backpacks for the youngest children and STEAM to GO! kits for grades 4+. You may have up to 2 Launchpads and up to 2 kits checked out at one time.

Playaway Launchpad Video

Playaway Launchpads

Pre-loaded with content for kids and designed with a simple, easy-to-use interface, Launchpad tablets are made to be passed from one set of hands to the next. Each Playaway Launchpad has a recommended age range, with most designed for children between ages 3 and 7.

You can borrow a Playaway Launchpad for 14 days. There are 2 renewals* for this item.

Early Learning Backpack Video

Early Learning Backpack Kits

Help create young readers with our new backpack kits. Each kit is themed and typically includes several picture books, two to four educational games or toys, and an activity guide.

You can borrow an Early Learning Backpack kit for 14 days. There are no renewals for this item.

STEAM to GO! Kits Video

STEAM to GO! Kits

Bring these creative and educational STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) kits to your home! Each STEAM kit comes with different themed activities and books that take learning to a whole new level. These STEAM kits are intended for grade 4+ but can be adjusted according to different age levels.

You can borrow a STEAM to GO! Kit for 14 days. There are no renewals for this item.