MLC has a variety of non-traditional items for public libraries to borrow. Contact Charlie Simpkins, Digital Consultant, to borrow any of the items on this page: csimpkins@mlc.lib.ms.us or 601-432-4498.

Technology:

3D printers

Public libraries and public schools may borrow one of two 3D printers for use in their libraries after completing a successful application, which focuses on partnerships and programming. Read more about the guidelines here.

Mobile Archive Project

With the Mobile Archive Project, libraries can check out a portable scanner for digitizing materials. The kit contains a portable scanner, a laptop with scanner software installed, a black background mat, and all the necessary cables and accessories. The kit must be picked up at MLC and can be returned in person or via FedEx with insurance. For more information, contact Katie Gill at 601-432-4497 or kgill@mlc.lib.ms.us.

Little Bits Kit

Little Bits Circuit Kit is a great way to get started with the simple concepts of circuitry. Pieces snap together and teach inputs and outputs. The Educator Kit contains 160 pieces.

Little Bits CodingKit

The Little Bits Coding Kit takes the circuit concepts from the original kit and adds coding! The same snap-together elements are directed by code. A laptop and free, downloadable app are needed to run this kit.

LEGO Mindstorm Kits

LEGO Mindstorm Kits allow you to build robots, and then program them to obey commands! Programming is done with pictures, so is simplified for beginners. The kit contains 8 LEGO Mindstorms.

3Doodler Kit

The 3Doodler Kit contains 6 3D pens–think of it as entry-level 3D printing. Draw in the air to make designs come to life!

MaKey MaKey

The MaKey MaKey two-sided circuit board turns everyday objects into replacement keyboards and mice. Learn to turn a banana into a spacebar or use Play-Doh to play a tune! A laptop is required to run this kit. For more information, contact Natalie Dunaway at 601-432-4057 or ndunaway@mlc.lib.ms.us.

Board Games

Borrow up to three games at a time for use at your game night, or test out a few to see how your community responds. Some games (Boggle, Scrabble, Jenga) can be left out on tables for passive programming; others are for planned events where making noise is part of the fun.

• Apples to Apples Party Edition
• Balderdash
• Boggle
• Cranium
• Jenga
• Quelf
• Scattergories
• Scrabble
• Trivial Pursuit: World of Harry Potter Edition
• Walking Dead Yahtzee

Book Club in a Box Kits

Book Club in a Box Kits are just that: ten copies of the same book along with discussion questions ready for schools and libraries to check out for their book club groups. Kits are available for a three-month period (time to receive, distribute, read, and discuss). A complete list of available titles can be found here. For more information, contact Ally Mellon at 601-432-4117 or amellon@mlc.lib.ms.us.

Buttonmaker

The buttonmaker is available for checkout and comes with supplies to make round 2.5” buttons as well. Pickup only.

LEGO and DUPLO Blocks

One set of 15,000 regular LEGO blocks and one set of 450 DUPLO blocks are available to borrow separately.

Photography Kit

Our photography kit contains five digital cameras, five copies of a book of photography prompts, and accessories. The kit must be picked up at MLC and can be returned in person or via FedEx with insurance.

Puppet Kits

Puppet kits contain themed groups of puppets with accompanying books ready for storytimes. Click here for a complete list of puppet kits available.

Sensory Story Kits

Story kits contain one Print/Braille book and number of items related to the book it contains. The kits were created to enhance books for children. Each book contains printed words, illustrations, and Braille making them accessible to readers with and without visual impairments.  The items provided in these kits provide a hands-on way for children to experience books and aid in the comprehension and enjoyment of the story. Read more about the available kits here.

Storytime Kits

The following kits contain books and supplies for several themed activities:

Robot Reading Rally Kit:

The Robot Reading Rally book list and curriculum were created by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. This book club kit has been made available without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes.

• Robots, Robots, Everywhere! – Sue Fliess, illustrated by Bob Staake
• Monkey & Robot – Peter Catalanotto
• Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot – Dav Pilkey, art by Dan Santat
• The Robot Book – Heather Brown
• The Robot and the Bluebird – David Lucas
• The Trouble with Sisters and Robots – Steve Gritton
• Randy Riley’s Really Big Hit – Chris Van Dusen
• The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot – Margaret McNamara and Mark Fearing
• Welcome to Your Awesome Robot – Viviane Schwarz
• Robot Reading Rally Curriculum – MSU Extension Services
• Supplemental materials for 5 Robot Reading Rally activities

STEM Storytime Kit:

• White Rabbit’s Color Book – Alan Baker
• Mouse Paint – Ellen Stoll Walsh
• Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain – Verna Aardema, illustrated by Beatriz Vidal
• Parts – Tedd Arnold
• Three lesson plans with materials for five activities included