NOTICE:

The Kiosk at Mitch Park in Edmond is temporarily unavailable due to mechanical issues.

Metro Grows

About Metro Grows

Welcome to our library of things collection - gardening tools and discovery backpacks!

Metro Grows kicks off for a second year this spring thanks to a health literacy grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Studies. Year One was all about gardening and brought the tool lending program to eight (8) library locations.

We're excited to share that Year Two expanded the tool lending program to 12 library locations and has introduced discovery backpacks for children! Plus, there is going to be over 100 gardening workshops for adults and children this spring.

Give us a call at 405-231-8650 or visit any of the locations below to learn more and check out a set of gardening tools or a discovery backpack today!

Gardening Tools

  • Almonte Library
  • Belle Isle Library
  • Bethany Library
  • Capitol Hill Library
  • Choctaw Library
  • Del City Library
  • Downtown Library
  • Midwest City Library
  • Ralph Ellison Library
  • Southern Oaks Library
  • The Village Library
  • Warr Acres Library

Discovery Backpacks

  • Almonte Library
  • Belle Isle Library
  • Bethany Library
  • Choctaw Library
  • Del City Library
  • Downtown Library
  • Jones Library
  • Luther Library
  • Midwest City Library
  • Northwest Library
  • Ralph Ellison Library
  • Southern Oaks Library
  • The Village Library
  • Warr Acres Library


Discovery Backpacks Available Now!

The Discovery Backpacks are for children ages 4-12 and have themes based on the four (4) elements: earth, air, fire, and water.

Each pack includes items to tinker and play with, an activity guide and a coloring book created by Metro Library staff, and a book from our collection.

What is inside the Discovery Backpacks?

Animal Tracks Discovery Backpack
Animal Tracks coloring book, activity instructions, one (1) fine-line Crayola marker, Fun with Nature or Wildlife Ranger book, Animal Tracks pamphlet, one (1) compass, one (1) magnifying glass, one (1) set of binoculars, one (1) foam animal track stamp, six (6) 3D printed animal track stamps, Animal Signs sheet, Animal Tracks Stories sheet, Tracks in Oklahoma sheet, and Wild Bear Nature Bingo sheet.

Living Things Discovery Backpack
Living Things coloring book, activity instructions, one (1) fine-line Crayola marker, My Book of Outdoors or Janay Linh's Rooftop Garden book, one (1) exercise die, one (1) jump rope, one (1) magnifying glass, one (1) set of binoculars, Eat the Rainbow tracker, Move-It Minutes tracker, one (1) Window Sprout experiment kit, one (1) sandwich-size Ziploc baggie with 3 lima or pinto beans, and Window Sprouts sheet.

Living with Fire Discovery Backpack
Living with Fire coloring book, activity instructions, one (1) fine-line Crayola marker, Fire Shapes the World book, one (1) hand crank flashlight, one (1) anemometer (wind-speed measuring tool), one (1) tape measure, How to Build a Campfire sheet, Fire Triangle pieces (heat, fuel, oxygen), Go-Bag sheet, Outdoor Fire Safety Checklist sheet, Indoor Fire Safety Checklist sheet, and Fire Scientist coloring book.

Pollination Discovery Backpack
Pollination coloring book, activity instructions, one (1) fine-line Crayola marker, A Seed Grows or Make Way for Butterfly book, one (1) trowel, one (1) butterfly net, one (1) bug magnifying catcher, one (1) magnifying glass, one (1) set of resin encased invertebrates with info cards, Parts of a Flower sheet, and Life Cycle of a Butterfly sheet.

Seed Dispersal Discovery Backpack
Seed Dispersal coloring book, activity instructions, one (1) fine-line Crayola marker, Seeds, Move! or Plants on the Move book, one (1) trowel, one (1) mini microscope, and one (1) compass.

Sunlight Discovery Backpack
Sunlight coloring book, activity instructions, one (1) fine-line Crayola marker, A Day in the Sun book, one (1) hand crank flashlight, 12 color view blocks, three (3) shadow puppets, and Leaf Matching sheet.

Water Moves Discovery Backpack
Water Moves coloring book, activity instructions, one (1) fine-line Crayola marker, Welcome, Rain! book, one (1) Splashology Play Set, one (1) rain gauge, one (1) watering can, Daily Weather Report sheet, one (1) Water Cycle in a Bag experiment kit, one (1) sandwich-size Ziploc baggie, one (1) black marker, and one (1) glue stick.

Water Moves Discovery Backpack
Living Things Discovery Backpack
Sunlight Discovery Backpack
Pollination Discovery Backpack

Tool How-To Video

Library Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

A Library of Things is a collection of items for loan that expands the boundaries of traditionally defined library materials. It supports the "sharing economy" and the city's sustainability efforts, as guests sharing items means less waste. The collection also offers an opportunity to "try before you buy," to save money and test out something you might not have come across otherwise.

You must return the tools or discovery backpacks in person at a service desk at the library branch from which you borrowed it.

Yes, each library branch has the same tools available.

The checkout time is three (3) weeks.

Tools and discovery backpacks cannot be placed on hold. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis only.

Tools and discovery backpacks are non-renewable. However, if you return tools or discovery backpacks to the library and there are others available to check out, staff can check your tools or backpack in and back out to you for another three (3) weeks.

Borrowed tools or discovery backpacks do not accrue late fines, but you are strongly encouraged to return these items in on time for others to enjoy!

You will not be responsible for damaged tools or discovery backpack contents as we realize they are meant to be used and will experience wear and tear. We do ask that you treat the tools and materials inside the backpacks with care and if damage occurs, please let staff know when you return them.

You can download the Tool Care and Safety Tips sheet by clicking here.

If you lose or do not return a tool or discovery backpack, you will be charged the full replacement cost of the tool or backpack.

Please note, if you lose an item within the backpack, you may be charged for that particular item and not the full replacement cost of the entire discovery backpack.

Yes, you can check out one of each tool or discovery backpack available, at the same time.