[OPLINLIST] Weighting items for the Library of Things

[Derrick Ranostaj]

HI all,

We decided to use a digital scale to weigh puzzles, and board games for our Library of Things, rather than hand count items when returned. I bought a digital scale but I am having difficulties with consistent weights every time. It varries by .0000001 of a pound each time (it's sometimes off by a + or - of about 3).

This is the scale we purchased: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6DLLM2T?ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_6XZWNT2C45GE37GZYW09&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_6XZWNT2C45GE37GZYW09&social_share=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_6XZWNT2C45GE37GZYW09&csmig=1&th=1

It could be I bought the wrong scale, and it's too small.  A coworker suggested buying a digital scale used for food. Another issue is, it could just be unreliable (possible damaged) and I've tried to recalibate is several times, but no luck


I am wondering if anyone has used a digital scale for items to count items in the library of things. If so:

What was the scale used: brand name

How large of a scale did you get?

How do you account for a margin of error (do you also weight it once or a few times to confirm the weightt?)

Do you weigh items in a box (e.g. A puzzle box) OR take them out and weigh as a whole (e.g. Puzzles in a plastic bag).

Final weights (your weight versus how much the company says it weights)

Weight in box versus out of box? Your library of things re box items or in original box?



Also, open for debate: how many of you use a scale versus hand counting items versus using a digital scale. I've found that it's usually a pretty even split online or 60/40 split (60 in favor of hand counting).

Thank you,


Derrick Ranostaj
Emerging Technologies Librarian
Hudson Library & Historical Society
96 Library St.
Hudson, OH 44236
(330) 653-6658 x1026




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