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Libraries loan laptops, robotics and other gear for free

Walk into a library and walk out with a digital tablet. Or a robot. Or a Frisbee.

Participating libraries in South Florida loan items like electronic devices, robotic devices and bird watching gear.

Use your library account number. Obtaining a library account is free for eligible residents. 

Photo/Broward Library

Broward libraries loan 

  • Digital tablets for ages 18 and older
  • Playaway Launchpad Learning Tablets loaded with  fun & educational apps
  • fitness gear, including jump ropes and Frisbees
  • Sphero: Spherical robotic device
  • iPads pre-loaded for eligible youngsters in K-3rd grade
  • BB8 Sphero: Spherical robotic device modeled on Star Wars’ BB-8 droid
  • Raspberry Pi kits: Simple single-board computers that teach coding and other tech skills
  • Snap circuits: Electronic kits that help children learn and understand engineering concepts
  • Intuos drawing tablets: Use to “digitize” physical pieces of artwork
  • Finch Robots: Helps students as young as five learn about computer science and coding
  • Circuit Scribe: Ball-point pen containing silver conductive ink that can draw circuits instantly on a flexible surface, like paper.
  • LEGO Mindstorms: devise robotic LEGO machines, vehicles and other inventions
  • Birdwatching backpacks

Information about equipment on loan is on Broward libraries website.

Register for  library cards for free, including online. Read our feature, Register online for free e-card.  Information about Broward libraries is on the website.

Photo/Broward Library

Palm Beach county libraries loan

  • STEM Kits
  • Birding Backpacks, include binoculars for an adult and 2 kids, a folding laminated guide of Florida birds, information about parks and other birding locations, information is online
  • Seeds

Information about registering for a library account is online.

Miami-Dade libraries loan

  • laptops and tablets with free built-in wireless internet access
  • Wi-Fi hotspots for up  to 15 mobile devices
  • Storytime Express Literacy Kits for Early Education available for checkout

Information about devices on loan is on the library website.

Sign up for a library account at a Miami-Dade library branch, or register for an e-card online.

Other library resources

Libraries in South Florida offer lots of other electronic devices and gear for use in the library. They offer an array of online resources  including e-books, films and  homework help.

Other fun Things To Do

Best free & cheap things to do this weekend in South Florida

 South Florida’s scenic parks and natural areas

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Patti Roth

About Patti Roth

Patti Roth, the editor of Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap, scouts out state and national deals, discounts and coupons for our readers, finding the real deals and presenting them in an easy-to-read format. A veteran newspaper and magazine writer and a longtime South Florida resident, she has written for The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Travel and Life, E Environmental Magazine, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, US Architecture and Earth911.com. Send your cheap tips to her at info@fortlauderdaleonthecheap.com.

Living on the CheapMiami on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.

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