5. You can borrow more than just books

Photo by Gregg Richards, Courtesy of Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library’s collection holds more than three million items, including the first ever public musical instrument lending library. Percusion and acoustic and electric string instruments like guitars, ukeleles, and violins, as well as accessories, are available to borrow. In addition to musical instruments, the library also loans out sewing machines, telescopes, board games, and vinyl records.

In the 1950s, the Library even loaned framed art! Library card holders could take out framed reproductions of popular masterpieces for months at a time.