This month the New Bedford Free Public Library’s Funbrary collection has expanded to include many more items such as a digital food scale, Bluetooth speaker, Dungeons and Dragons starter kits, ice cream maker, yoga mats, weighted hula hoop, and more!
The Funbrary is a collection of items that moves beyond the traditional materials found at a library. From a telescope to a portable DVD player; from knitting needles to a food dehydrator, the New Bedford Free Public Library provides patrons with free access to a collection of items that encourages exploration, waste reduction, and learning while saving money. Below is a sample of the items available to borrow:
- For residents who enjoy home maintenance: wall stud finder, thermal leak detector, an outlet tester, an electricity usage monitor, a laser measure, paper shredder, paper cutter, laminator, luggage scale, travel adapter, and more.
- For residents who are crafty: crochet hooks, knitting needles, embroidery hoops, a pom pom maker, a button maker, quilting cutting mat, weaving loom, and more.
- For residents who like to cook: crepe maker, cake pans, candy molds, ice cream maker, bread maker, food dehydrator, digital food scale, cookie cutters, and more.
- For family fun: binoculars, pickleball set, ukulele, tambourine, hand drum set, record player, lawn darts, chess board, gardening tool kit, Magnatiles, telescope, Duplo blocks set, Etch A Sketch, mini solar robot, microphones, meditation drum, and more.
The program has been successful with a 13% increase in the number of checkouts by library patrons in January through March 2025 compared to the same 3 months in 2024.
“Rather than multiple families purchasing a bean bag toss, tennis rackets, keyboards, or giant Jenga, possibly to use for a short time, the whole community can benefit by reusing these items. The idea of reusing will lead to less waste. People can try items out and decide if they want to buy them for their homes, rather than buy, try, and trash.” said Marissa Perez-Dormitzer, Waste Reduction Manager from the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District.
Interested in borrowing an item from the Funbrary? Items are available for checkout for a week with a SAILS Library card. Borrowers must be 18 years and older and can have up to 3 items checked out at a time. All New Bedford Library locations have a variety of items to be checked out. A detailed list of items can be found on the library’s website. Go to Quick Links at newbedford-ma.gov/library for each library’s offerings.
The items in the Funbrary Collection were purchased with funding from the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District and the City’s Department of Facilities and Fleet Management.
For more information, please call your local branch of the New Bedford Free Public Library.
- Casa Da Saudade Branch | 58 Crapo St. | 508-991-6218
- Howland Green Branch | 3 Rodney French Blvd. | 508-991-6212
- Lawler Branch | 745 Rockdale Ave. | 508-991-6216
- Main Library Downtown | 613 Pleasant St. | 508-991-6275
- Wilks Branch | 1911 Acushnet Ave. | 508-991-6214