Beyond Books logo

Beyond Books is OLPL’s “Rent-a-Center,” a place to check out a cake pans, musical instruments, and hundreds of items!

Discover your new favorite hobby, take your homework to the next level or brush up on your DIY skills with items from Beyond Books. Beyond Books is a collection of items that are a bit nontraditional in nature. The items may not be what you expect to check out from a Library, but we know you will love them. You can borrow them from us as you would our books.

Scroll the carousel below to see just a few of the many great items in our collection…

Make a suggestion

If you have ideas for our Beyond Books collection, tell us. Either stop by the Adult Services desk or email msabio@olpl.org. We’d love to hear your suggestions.

Search Items

Beyond Books items can be searched for in the catalog. Select Oak Lawn Public Library, enter the search term “beyond books” and then narrow to Format: Equipment once the results are returned.

View a search helper HERE
Click the Search button HERE

 

Available for in-Library use

We have reading glasses available for in-Library use. Magnifications include 1.5X, 2.0X, and 3.0X. Glasses are cleaned after each use. To borrow a pair of glasses, you’ll need your driver’s license/state ID or your Library card.

Search Items

Beyond Books items can be searched for in the catalog. Select Oak Lawn Public Library, enter the search term “beyond books” and then narrow to Format: Equipment once the results are returned.

Borrow an item

Items from Beyond Books can be checked out for three weeks with no renewal. While cardholders from other SWAN libraries can borrow items from the Beyond Books collection, they must be checked out in-person on the 2nd floor and returned in-person to the Adult Services desk at the Oak Lawn Public Library. Browse the catalog of items located near the 2nd floor Adult Services desk. When you find an item you want to check out, bring the white stick that is tucked inside the card to a staff member at the desk. The staff member will retrieve the item and assist you with checkout. There is a limit of two items you can check out at a time from the Beyond Books collection. Your library card must be in good standing (no overdue materials).