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Library of Things
RCPL has always been a place where you can come to learn anything you are curious about – now we are offering you even more to encourage curiosity.
Our Library of Things supports lifelong learning and creativity by providing the physical things necessary to explore new areas of interest and learn new skills.
HappyLight Therapy Light
Sunlight is essential for a healthy lifestyle. A therapy light brings daylight indoors by emitting a bright white, full spectrum light that safely mimics sunlight (and without the UV-rays).
Magnifier
Check out a magnifier to enhance your reading.
Reader Pen
Promote active and independent reading and learning! This pen is a portable scanner which reads printed text out loud using a camera, a real-time optical character recognition and natural voice to text speech.
Kids Square Museum Pass
The Don & Barbara Smith Children's Museum, Kids Square, is a space in downtown Roanoke on the third floor of the Center in the Square. This fun museum is geared towards children 10 and under, but children over the age of 10 (including adults) will enjoy the interactive exhibits. Pass is available at all RCPL locations. Museum pass covers up to six guests and works Thursdays and Fridays during their operating hours.
Launchpad
Launchpads are prefect for little explorers and feature learning apps grouped together by subject, theme, grade level, and age.
Each Launchpad features themed learning packs, such as: STEAM, Early Literacy, and Life Skills.
Launchpads offer hours of interactive learning and play for children. There’s even a section for parents to gain feedback on time spent on the device.
Kindle Paperwhite
The Kindle Paperwhite is light in hand and the flush etched screen is excellent for reading in indoor and outdoor lighting alike. Plus you can use our eBook apps on the device.
Birding Backpacks
This pack includes birding materials, including National Geographic Birds of Eastern North America field guide, Vortex Crossfire 8x42 binoculars with case, straps, and lens cleaning cloth, Sibley's Backyard Birds of the Mid-Atlantic laminated foldout, as well as information about getting started in birding, how to use binoculars, local birding hotspots, birding apps, and other basic created by Roanoke Valley Bird Club members. Backpacks were donated in partnership with the Friends of the Library and Roanoke Valley Bird Club.
Orion StarBlast Telescope
Checkout a fun and compact telescope that's sure to inspire the whole family's natural inclination to explore. The Orion StarBlast Telescope will impress you and your family with it's high-quality construction and great performance. Telescopes were donated by the Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society.
Virginia State Park Backpacks
This backpack will provide families with tools to explore, enjoy and learn in their backyard and any Virginia State Park. Packs include free parking to any state park in Virginia, plus outdoor exploration tools and guides.
More items to come. Stay tuned!
Makey Makey Kits
A fun invention kit for everyone with 1,000s of possibilities. Turn everyday items to computer keys using a circuit board, alligator clips, and a USB cable, the toy uses closed loop electrical signals to send the computer either a keyboard stroke or mouse click signal.
Micro:bit
Learn to code with a this pocket-sized computer featuring 25 red LED lights that can flash messages and be used to create games with a number of coding websites and more.
Hotspots
RCPL makes it easy to get online with a hotspot, available at all locations. If you are a library card holding resident of Roanoke County, you can check out a hotspot for free. Hotspots can be used to connect your tablet, laptop, or other WiFi enabled device to 4G LTE networks.
More items to come. Stay tuned!