The Summit County Library has expanded its community resources through a 'Library of Things' collection that allows residents to borrow diverse items ranging from pickle and disc golf kits to blood pressure monitors. The program, which includes technology like mobile hotspots and streaming devices, is supported by the nonprofit Friends of the Summit County Libraries.
Recreational and astronomical equipment
The library's specialized collection provides access to a wide array of recreational and educational tools. For outdoor enthusiasts, the library offers pickleball kits containing racquets, balls, and a carry bag, as well as beginner-friendly disc golf sets that include a fairway driver, mid-range disc, putt and approach disc, a mini marker disc, and a carry bag. Residents interested in astronomy can borrow a 70mm aperture telescope with 16x to 120x magnification for celestial observation.
Streaming devices and internet connectivity
Technology and media access remains a core component of the collection. The library provides streaming devices that allow users to stream content from services including Netflix, Max, Paramount+, Showtime, and Kanopy directly to their televisions. To assist with connectivity, the library offers mobile hotspots for portable internet access via cellular networks. For those needing hardware to view physical media, the library stocks DVD players, Blu-ray players, and external Blu-ray/DVD/CD drives.
Educational, scientific, and wellness kits
The collection also features educational kits designed for scientific exploration and wellness. The 'Little Naturalist' backpacks provide hands-on tools for children to study birds, plants, flowers, and insects, while 'Stress Relief' backpacks offer methods for teaching kids healthy stress management. For home science applications, the library offers an Energy Detective Kit to help residents examine energy usage, as well as an induction cooktop kit designed to demonstrate energy efficiency and safety.
Health monitoring and library leadership
In a partnership with the Summit County Health Department, the library also provides blood pressure monitor kits for self-measured monitoring. This health-focused initiative is part of a broader mission led by Library Director Dan Compton to ensure the library serves as a community resource for everyone.
Library locations and director history
Compton, who has been with the Summit County Library since 2005 and has served as Director since 2011, also facilitates the Book to Film Club at the Kimball Junction Branch. The library's physical presence spans multiple locations including the Main Library in Frisco, the North Branch in Silverthorne, and the South Branch in Breckenridge.
Nonprofit funding and organizational history
The funding for many of these specialized programs, including the Library of Things and early literacy kits, is provided by the Friends of the Summit County Libraries. This nonprofit, all-volunteer group, was originally organized in 1960, incorporated in 1977, and obtained its 501(c)3 status in October 1978.
The Friends organization supports various community initiatives such as '1000 Books before Kindergarten,' '100 Books before Graduation,' and seasonal programs like the winter travel series. To maintain these resources, the group holds large book sales three times a year. Following a sale in April 2026, the group has scheduled upcoming book sale events at the Community and Senior Center in Frisco for August 14-15 and December 11-12, 2026.
The Friends of the Summit County Libraries also manages an annual travel series running from January through March, where local presenters share photography and stories from around the world. The group continues to seek donations for various projects, including a digitization effort to add copies of the Summit Daily to the Colorado Historical Newspaper Collection.
Community members can support the library's mission through several channels. The Friends organization accepts book donations during business hours at all three library locations and holds ongoing book sales at the Main Library, South Branch, North Branch, and at Red Buffalo Coffee in the Silverthorne Town Center. Teachers may also benefit from these events by presenting a valid ID to receive free books from Friends book sales.
While most of the 'Library of Things' is available for checkout, some services are currently undergoing adjustments. For instance, 3D printing requests through the Kamas Valley Branch are temporarily unavailable while staff undergo training. The library continues to update its policies for items such as mobile hotspots and energy kits to ensure efficient community use.
