Need a Thing?
Rent an item →
I want to learn about repairs →
What can I do at my local Library of Things?
Why are we doing it?
In a nutshell, consumerism isn’t working…
For individuals – incomes & living spaces are squeezed, especially in urban areas. 80% of household items are used less than once per month.
For the planet – if everyone in the world consumed resources at the rate we do in the UK, we would need 3.5 planets to sustain us!
For communities – 1 in 5 people in the UK are sometimes or always lonely. High streets are struggling, and community spaces like libraries are increasingly asked to do more with less.
Story so far
We were 3 close friends when we started Library of Things. We tested the idea for 2 years+ in our South London neighbourhood, inspired by similar ventures in Berlin & Toronto. We put in 000s of hours between us, unpaid, because we saw how powerful it was when neighbours became friends & local spaces became home. When a shared collection of high quality Things unlocked experiences for everyone.
Chapter 1: The Shoestring Pilot
It all started in a library near our home in West Norwood, South London, where we tested the idea with our neighbours.
Chapter 3: The Replicable Model
Having received requests from across the UK (‘help us start a Library of Things!’), we worked with Crystal Palace Transition Town & Upper Norwood Library Hub to develop a replicable self-serve Library of Things.
We’re now working to replicate this with councils & communities across the UK.
Chapter 2: The Demonstrator
We then tested the idea more fully, testing out 400+ Things from 2 shipping containers with 1000+ borrowers over 18 months. With a team of local people, we put in hundreds of volunteer hours to make it happen – it was wonderful, and tiring!
What next?
Library of Things is currently operating in 4 locations around London – Crystal Palace, Morden, Hackney Wick and Kentish Town – with many more lined up to launch in London and beyond in the coming year!
We’re growing the movement! We are actively looking for UK-based councils, housing associations and community spaces who want to kickstart and host a Library of Things. Read more and express your interest.
We’re raising investment. We’re raising money from social investors committed to our mission to make borrowing better than buying. This will fund our tech development and help us grow the movement across London and beyond. Email us to find out more.
Social enterprise
Library of Things Ltd is a social enterprise seeking to balance profit with purpose.
It is a private company limited by shares (company no. 11804306), with:
A mission lock. A Guardian share is held by the non-profit company Things Trust (company no. 9516649), keeping Library of Things Ltd accountable to its mission and values.
A regenerative business model, affordable to borrowers and revenue-generating for community space partners.
Founder membership of Positive, a regenerative business movement and certification