Library of Things Hungary

I. The Philosophical Bedrock: Access vs. Ownership 🤝♻️

The "Library of Things" movement is a manifestation of the shift for some people. From an ownership economy to an access economy. In Hungary, this shift is particularly relevant given cultural attitudes towards thrift and the economic pressures of purchasing expensive, infrequently used items.

The Ethos of the Sharing Economy in a Hungarian Context

• Financial Prudence: For many people in Hungary, especially those in smaller towns and villages where incomes may be lower than in the capital, the cost of specialized tools (like a heavy-duty drill, a large ladder, or catering equipment) is a significant barrier. A Library of Things provides crucial access without the debt.
• Environmental Consciousness: Although green movements have gained most visibility in urban centers like Budapest and Debrecen, the concept of resource-saving and anti-consumerism resonates deeply with a traditional, non-wasteful, agricultural mindset common in rural Hungary. Why buy something when a neighbor has one you can borrow?
• Community Cohesion: The act of lending and borrowing—even formalised through a library—fosters social capital and strengthens bonds between neighbors. This is a critical factor in combating urban isolation and reinforcing the existing community structures in smaller settlements.

II. The Urban Hub: Budapest's Evolving Infrastructure 🏢🚇

Comparing the century-old Budapest Metro with the recent Library of Things highlights the evolving nature of public goods and civic solutions in Hungary's capital. Both are essential public goods, but they manage the flow of different resources.

A. The Modern, Sustainable Library of Things

The Goethe-Institut's "Dolgok Könyvtára" is a prime, highly visible model in the capital. Its location and focus highlight its dual role:

1. A European Model: As part of a Central and Eastern European initiative, it connects Budapest to a wider sustainable movement. Positioning the city as a regional thought leader in the sharing economy.
2. A Niche Service: It currently serves a specific, often more internationally aware and liberal, urban demographic—library members of the Goethe-Institut. While important, it is not a city-wide public service and thus remains somewhat a model rather than a mass solution. The focus on items like a longboard or projector reflects a modern, urban lifestyle, contrasting with the fundamental, practical needs of rural sharing.

B. The Historic, Foundational Budapest Metro

The Millennium Underground Railway (M1) is an iconic symbol of Hungarian modernization.

• Historical Significance: As the first underground railway in continental Europe (1896), it represents a monumental, top-down infrastructure project that defined the city’s ability to handle mass transportation and rapid urban growth.
• Contrasting Philosophies:
  • The M1 is a centralized, permanent, high-cost, state-owned solution to a universal public need (mobility).
  • The Library of Things is a decentralized, flexible, low-cost, community-focused solution to a specific public need (resource access).
• The Connection: Despite their differences, both are essential public goods. The Metro manages the flow of people; the Library of Things manages the flow of material resources. They represent two distinct eras of public service delivery in the capital.

III. The Rural Ecosystem: Town and Village Initiatives 🏘️🛠️

The Library of Things philosophy is arguably more impactful and practical outside of the capital, where access to retail and resources is limited.

A. Municipal-Led "Libraries" (Beyond Books)

In smaller settlements, the most robust "Library of Things" often isn't in a library building at all—it's managed by the local municipality.

• The "Long Ladder" Project (e.g., Ipolytölgyes): This innovative, award-winning model is the purest form of a tool library in the rural context. The municipality shares its own public equipment (ladders, wheelbarrows, garden tools, event furniture) with residents.
  • Impact: It’s a direct form of social support, making life easier for people, especially those with lower incomes or people who are older. It also directly promotes the circular economy by ensuring public assets are maximized.
  • The "Sharing Village" Model: This local, community-driven approach demonstrates how public assets can be reimagined as shared resources, strengthening the social fabric of the village.

B. Digital and Neighborly Sharing Platforms

Alongside physical initiatives, digital platforms are bridging gaps, particularly in suburban areas and mid-sized cities like Debrecen or Szeged.

• Miutcánk ("Our Street"): This homegrown Hungarian platform is essentially a neighborhood social network. While it connects people for shared interests, its core function is often resource and tool sharing—people post asking to borrow a car seat, a specific drill bit, or a pressure washer. This forms an organic, decentralized "Library of Things" network.
• Online Civic Engagement: Platforms like Járókelő (Passer-by) allow citizens to report broken public services. While not a "Library of Things," it is a related civic technology that enables the sharing of information and promotes collective maintenance of public goods.

IV. Mobile Library Services: Bringing the Service to the People 🚌📦

The concept of taking public services to the citizens is deeply ingrained in the history of Hungarian librarianship, making it an ideal candidate for non-book lending.

A. The History of Mobile Libraries

Mobile library services (Könyvtárbusz or Bibliobusz) have a notable history in Hungary.

• Early Innovations: Mobile libraries in Hungary, including Budapest, date back to the post-WWII era. When services were even offered out of specially converted trams and later Ikarus buses in the 1970s and 80s.
• Rural Service System: Today, the County Library Supply System (KSZR) is mandated to ensure that all citizens, especially those in small villages and settlements without a dedicated local branch, have access to documents and information.

B. The Potential for Mobile "Libraries of Things"

The existing mobile network structure (KSZR, document delivery systems) provides a perfect blueprint for integrating non-book lending.

• Logistical Framework: County libraries already manage schedules, logistics, and delivery routes to rural communities. Adding a box of frequently requested tools, gardening kits, or educational tech to a mobile library route would be a natural diversification of service to support community needs.
• Meeting Practical Demands: The demand for mobile services in rural areas is shifting. While book delivery remains key, the need for access to practical equipment such as sewing machines for a workshop. Perhaps pressure washers for spring cleaning or even thermal cameras for energy audits. These are real-world problems that a "mobile Library of Things" could solve.

V. Conclusion: The Evolving Role of the Public Sphere 🔗🌱

The "Library of Things" movement in Hungary, from the formalized Goethe-Institut project in Budapest to the pragmatic, municipal-led initiatives in the countryside, reflects an important cultural evolution.

It shows that public service, whether delivered via the monumental, century-old infrastructure of the Budapest Metro or the hyper-local, decentralized network of a "Dolgok Könyvtára", is fundamentally about providing access to a better quality of life. The modern trend, championed by initiatives within social enterprise Hungary, leverages sustainability and community trust to maximize resources. Offering a bottom-up complement to the top-down. The essential services of the state and these sharing initiatives are not just about things; they are about building a more resilient, connected, and resourceful Hungary.