Lending Library Program
Are you an educator looking for STEAM or making resources to use with your students?
Gizmo has over 250 pieces of equipment and books available for check-out! Scroll down to browse our inventory.
Click on the "About" section below for information about library policies, eligibility and check-out procedures. Gizmo's Lending Library program is made possible by the support of Idaho STEM Action Center.
Gizmo has over 250 pieces of equipment and books available for check-out! Scroll down to browse our inventory.
Click on the "About" section below for information about library policies, eligibility and check-out procedures. Gizmo's Lending Library program is made possible by the support of Idaho STEM Action Center.
About Gizmo's Lending Library - Click to Learn More
Gizmo’s Lending Library is a collection of equipment and books to enhance STEAM and maker-centered learning in both formal and informal educational settings. Educators (including classroom teachers, school administrators, after-school programs, preschool/daycare providers, scouting groups, out-of-school organizations, adult basic education programs, homeschool groups* and more) are eligible to borrow items from the Lending Library. There is no charge or membership requirement. You can browse available items in the galleries below.
*Homeschool Group refers to a formal or informal association of homeschooling families, such that multiple children from multiple different households would be able to access the item during the borrowing period.
Prior to checking out your first item, we recommend reviewing the policies and procedures below. If you have additional questions, please email lendinglibrary@gizmo-cda.org
Lending Library General Policies & Procedures:
There is no specific, formal limit on how many items can be checked out at one time; however, Gizmo may limit or ask for follow-up information on requests that include a large number of items
The default check-out period for Library items is 14 days, with the exception of the Glowforge and Flashforge 3D Printers, which must be returned within a week. A longer check-out period may be requested in the “Additional Comments” section of the Reservation Form, or during the check-out period via phone or email. We are generally able to accommodate these requests provided no other educator has requested the item.
Requested items must be picked up by the borrower at Gizmo during operating hours. We do not offer a delivery option. If anyone other than the borrower is picking up the item, please let us know ahead of time by emailing lendinglibrary@gizmo-cda.org or calling (208) 929-4029.
If you need to change your pick-up date, please contact us. Items cannot be held at the front desk for more than two days.
During the borrowing period, you may share library items with other educators within your organization/school; however, we ask that individuals from outside your organization reserve the item separately. (Exceptions may be made for communities that are a long distance from Gizmo.)
Library items should be returned in the same condition in which they were received
Please notify Gizmo immediately if a library item is lost or damaged, or if you receive an item that doesn’t work. We understand that, especially in the education setting, accidents will happen and ask simply for honest and prompt communication if/when incidents occur. Gizmo does not charge for lost/damaged items; however, we reserve the right to restrict or deny borrowing privileges if there are repeat damages or unreturned items.
*Homeschool Group refers to a formal or informal association of homeschooling families, such that multiple children from multiple different households would be able to access the item during the borrowing period.
Prior to checking out your first item, we recommend reviewing the policies and procedures below. If you have additional questions, please email lendinglibrary@gizmo-cda.org
Lending Library General Policies & Procedures:
There is no specific, formal limit on how many items can be checked out at one time; however, Gizmo may limit or ask for follow-up information on requests that include a large number of items
The default check-out period for Library items is 14 days, with the exception of the Glowforge and Flashforge 3D Printers, which must be returned within a week. A longer check-out period may be requested in the “Additional Comments” section of the Reservation Form, or during the check-out period via phone or email. We are generally able to accommodate these requests provided no other educator has requested the item.
Requested items must be picked up by the borrower at Gizmo during operating hours. We do not offer a delivery option. If anyone other than the borrower is picking up the item, please let us know ahead of time by emailing lendinglibrary@gizmo-cda.org or calling (208) 929-4029.
If you need to change your pick-up date, please contact us. Items cannot be held at the front desk for more than two days.
During the borrowing period, you may share library items with other educators within your organization/school; however, we ask that individuals from outside your organization reserve the item separately. (Exceptions may be made for communities that are a long distance from Gizmo.)
Library items should be returned in the same condition in which they were received
Please notify Gizmo immediately if a library item is lost or damaged, or if you receive an item that doesn’t work. We understand that, especially in the education setting, accidents will happen and ask simply for honest and prompt communication if/when incidents occur. Gizmo does not charge for lost/damaged items; however, we reserve the right to restrict or deny borrowing privileges if there are repeat damages or unreturned items.
Lending Library Catalog
Gizmo has catalogued all of our books and educational equipment available for check-out in an online database, which you can browse below. For equipment, tools, manipulatives and other teaching technology, click on the "Browse Equipment" tab. For STEAM-related children's literature, click on the "Browse Books" tab.
Gizmo has also curated a variety of Educator Resources, including tutorials, instruction manuals, lesson plans and activity guides for many of the items in our Equipment library. These resources can be accessed in the "Educator Resources" tab or by clicking on the record for the related equipment item.
To request an item for check-out, click on the item and then click the URL to access Gizmo's Lending Library Request Form.
Mobile/Tablet Users: for an optimal experience, view the database full screen in another window.
Gizmo has also curated a variety of Educator Resources, including tutorials, instruction manuals, lesson plans and activity guides for many of the items in our Equipment library. These resources can be accessed in the "Educator Resources" tab or by clicking on the record for the related equipment item.
To request an item for check-out, click on the item and then click the URL to access Gizmo's Lending Library Request Form.
Mobile/Tablet Users: for an optimal experience, view the database full screen in another window.
