Special Collections

The Baxter County Library's Special Collections include telescopes, ukuleles, fishing kits, round knitting loom kits, portable CD and DVD players, book club in a bag, and children's activity kits.

All items may be checked out for 1 week and cannot go through the book drop. Items must be returned to an employee at the Circulation or Children's Desk.

With special thanks to the Arkansas Natural Sky Association, the Library is happy to announce that there are 3 Orion telescopes available for check out. 

Each check out includes an Orion telescope attached to a base, a how-to guide, a Learning the Constellations Library Telescope Manual, and a Nite-ize LED red light. The Library Telescope Project Borrower Contract must be signed at time of check out. 

Please watch this video for instructions on how to handle and use the telescope. 

Click here to view the how-to guide.

Check out length is one week. Please return to Circulation desk. 

Have you always wanted to learn how to play an instrument? The Library has 6 ukuleles currently available for check out.  

Each checkout includes a ukulele and carrying case.

Check out length is one week. Please return to Circulation desk.

With the lakes and rivers nearby, fishing is a fun activity to try out! There are 5 fishing pole/tackle box sets available for check out at the Baxter County Library.

Each checkout includes a fishing pole with a tackle box full of fishing essentials.

A waiver must be signed before receiving the pole and box.

Check out length is one week. Please return to the Circulation Desk.

Check out one of these simple activities that encourage visual exploration and physical discovery, as well as critical reading aloud activities begin the language development and other important developmental skills. The activity kits promote fun and bonding with children for family and caregivers. 

Each checkout includes 8 unique family engagement activity cards, a book, and hands-on manipulatives.

Infant Activity Kits: Zoo, Who Am I?, Sensory, and Time to Play

Toddler Activity Kits: Stack & Build, Move & Go, Wheels, Science, and Shapes

Check out length is one week. Please return to Children's desk.

Do you want to check out an audiobook on CD and have no way of listening to it? Check out one of our CD players! 

Each checkout includes a portable CD player (walkman), carrying case, and 2 AA batteries.

Check out length is one week. Please return to Circulation Desk.

Would you like to watch a movie during your next road trip or when you are away from the house? The Library has 3 portable DVD players available for check out.  

Each checkout includes a portable DVD player, power adapter for a building and a car, and carrying case.

Check out length is one week. Please return to Circulation desk.

Each checkout includes a canvas bag that contains at least five copies of the same book with a list of discussion questions.

Current titles available include: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner, Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.

Book Club in a Bag is an excellent opportunity to start your book club or discover new books with friends.

Checkout length is four weeks. Please return to Circulation desk.

If you are looking for a way to get started in fiber arts round loom knitting kits are a great option.

 You can make hats, scarves, shawls, baby swaddling cocoons, and more.

Each check out includes a clear plastic bag containing 3 sizes of knitting looms, 3 loom hook tools, 1 plastic yarn needle, directions to make a hat and how to find a tutorial on Creativebug with your library card number.

Check out length is 1 week. Please return to the Circulation desk.

Hand bells music is a great early educational toy, suitable for children aged 3 years and up.  The MiniArtis music bells feature 8 notes (C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C), each making clear and rich sounds. The hand bells feature bright rainbow colors with diatonic scale position and tones color coded. 

Check out includes 8 music bells and 1 carrying case.

Check out length is one week.  Please return to the Circulation Desk.

Whether you're listening to a PlayAway Audiobook or any other device, these speakers have you covered. Simply turn them on and plug the attached 3.5 mm audio cable into your device for instant audio. The speakers charge using the included standard USB cable, compatible with PC, laptop, USB power adaptor, or standard USB port.

Check out length is one week.  Please return to the Circulation Desk.

Musical Keyboards are lightweight with a roll-up design ensuring effortless portability and fitting snugly into your bag for on-the-go entertainment.  The keyboard features a hot key for rhythm adjustments, 8 drum rhythms, one-button tone selection, recording/playback functions, 16 level volume, 32-level beat control, and automatic sleep power-saving. With 49 roll-up keys, headphone/DC power compatibility, and a teaching function with 6 demo songs and 16 tones, it suits both beginners and enthusiasts.

Check out length is one week.  Please return to the Circulation Desk.

PlayAway Launchpads are pre-loaded Android Tablets with learning Apps and content for ages 3-12 years. With a simple, secure, and easy-to-use interface, Launchpad tablets are made to be passed from one set of hands to the next.

There is no download time, no need for Wi-Fi, and access to powerful content is as simple as turning on each device—anytime, anywhere.

Each check out includes 1 Launchpad tablet and 1 power charging cord. The PlayAway Launchpad User Agreement must be signed at the time of check out.

Check out length is one week. Please return to the Children's Desk.

Bring game night home with a board game from the Library! Board games encourage strategic thinking, problem-solving, and social interaction while promoting fun and bonding for families and friends.

Check out length is one week. Please return to the Circulation Desk.