Apparently the original plan was to just close the smaller branch library, and they suspect they are only closing the second one (on just a few months' notice) because they want to sell the building. Boo.

It does sound potentially convenient! Especially for people who don't have family with a big cellar and tools etc. in the same city. I found out that there is already one "library of things" in the city, and they have among other things a game controller, which I've been thinking of trying out, so maybe I'll check it out in the near future.