It's called the "Library of Things" — a worldwide movement to encourage the sharing of all manner of items, from toys and party supplies to tools and sports equipment.

If it hasn't reached your hometown, it probably will soon. And if you have a library card, you'll be in luck. At many libraries you can borrow nontraditional items like metal detectors, a record player or even a "Star Wars" cake pan — free.

It's an effort by local libraries to expand their services to the community, one that also includes library passes and audio players, movie streaming subscriptions and artwork.

Here are some of the stranger items you can borrow from North Jersey libraries.

Darth Vader cake pan

Planning to host a birthday party with a "Star Wars" theme? The Glen Rock Library has a Darth Vader cake pan, as well as a variety of pans in other shapes. Library Director Ellen O'Keefe said the pans are popular with patrons, with three or four borrowed a week, and more around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Anyone with a library card in the Bergen County Cooperative Library System can borrow one.

Metal detector

The Haworth Public Library recognized the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon this year by carrying books on the subject. But it's the recently acquired metal detector whose popularity has been out of this world. The library has acquired two more to keep up with demand. Denise Lester, the youth services librarian, said she saw an opportunity to expand on the theme of exploring the universe and let patrons explore the world around them.

The library also has bongos, ukelele, kalimba (thumb piano) and glockenspiel available for loan.

Harry Potter's wand

How else to also make your summer magical but with the Haworth Library's Harry Potter collection? It goes beyond the books and the movies on DVD and enables fans to role-play with a magic wand, a plush chocolate frog and, of course, the sorting hat.

A portable outdoor canopy

Karen Brodsky remembered a Girl Scout troop last year manning a table at a farmers' market in Chatham during a hot day — without shelter. The director of the Library of the Chathams, whose table was next to the Scouts', decided to help them out by letting them come under the canopy covering the library's table. That same canopy can be borrowed from the library for any occasion.

Fitbit, VR glasses and telescopes

Chatham also has lots of gadgets to borrow, including a Fitbit, Google Cardboard virtual reality glasses and musical instruments. Brodsky said she plans to expand the library's collection of items to become a full-fledged library of things like the Livingston Public Library, which carries everything from Roku devices to umbrellas.

Turntable and vinyl records

Vinyl records have made a comeback in recent years. Since 2017, the Nutley Public Library has amassed a record collection featuring the likes of Aretha Franklin ("Aretha's Greatest Hits"), Chuck Berry ("The Great Twenty-Eight") and John Coltrane ("A Love Supreme"). To enjoy the records, it helps to have a record player such as a Bluetooth Crosley Deluxe Turntable, which the library also lends out.

Tiny robots

The Leonia Public Library has in its collection a Sphero SPRK, an adorable mini-robot that helps young people learn robotics and coding through playing with the robot. Also available are Lego Education Kits, Makey Makey Kits, Snap Circuits Kits and Code-A-Pillar. The Ridgewood Public Library also has STEAM/technology-related items to borrow.

Seeds

If the rain and the heat let up this summer, there's still time to do some planting. Seeds are available for free at local libraries including Cresskill and Washington Township. Bonus: You don't have to bring them back.

Board games

What's a party without board games? The Glen Rock Library has a large selection including favorites Chutes and Ladders and Yeti In My Spaghetti! The East Rutherford Memorial Library also has a wide selection of classic games, from Risk to Hungry Hungry Hippos.

To find out more about the borrowing policies for the items mentioned, click on the highlighted libraries. And check out the website of the library in your area to find out what it offers.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com

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