When you visit a library, you generally expect you can check out a book, or perhaps a movie or CD.

Now, you can check out an electric stove.

The Ventura County Library system offers free induction cooktop rentals to county residents, allowing them to try a different method of electric cooking without buying a new stove.

The offering is thanks to a partnership with the Tri-County Regional Energy Network, a nonprofit seeking to improve energy efficiency in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Erica Helson, the portfolio manager for the network, said the program was inspired by similar offerings in Northern California.

"As we've done more education about electric cooking, we thought people would be interested in testing out induction cooktops," Helson said.

Instead of burning natural gas in a conventional gas stove, induction stovetops use alternating electrical currents inside a magnetic field to generate electric currents within the item on the stove, causing it to heat up.

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Because induction stoves use magnetic fields, not all cookware will work with the stovetops. An induction-compatible pan is included with each of the rental kits, as well as a magnet that can be used to test whether home cookware is compatible. If the magnet sticks to the cookware's material, such as stainless steel or cast iron, it will work with the induction stove.

The stovetop rental program, which launched Aug. 5, has already seen over 30 check-out requests in the first week, according to Ron Solórzano, a regional librarian with the county system. Approximately 21 induction stovetop kits are currently in circulation in Ventura County.

The stovetop kits can be rented for up to three weeks at a time and are only available at facilities within the county library system. City-operated libraries, such as those in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks, do not offer the stovetop rentals at this time. 

Helson offered a variety of reasons why people might want to try induction cooking, from environmental to practical.

Residents who are concerned about the environmental hazard of greenhouse gas emission can reduce their impact with electric instead of gas cooking, as the latter emits both carbon dioxide and methane. Pollutants from natural gas combustion can also pose health hazards over time, which can be avoided by using an electric stove, according to Helson.

Helson said the stoves also allow for a faster and more precise method of heating than gas stoves due to the way induction works. The stovetops can also be placed anywhere there is an electrical outlet and do not require a gas line, allowing flexibility for those renovating their kitchens or who wish to cook in a room without a gas hookup.

Anyone interested in checking out an induction cooktop can do so at the Ventura County Library's website at vencolibrary.org.

More information on the program is available on the Tri-County Regional Energy Network website at 3c-ren.org/diy-savings.

Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at 805-437-0208, jeremy.childs@vcstar.com, and on Twitter @Jeremy_Childs.