Library of Things UK

Library of Things in the UK

'Library of Things' are a growing trend in the UK and Ireland. These collections of physical objects allow people to borrow instead of buy, which can help to reduce waste and encourage sharing.

There are now over 100 Libraries of Things in the UK, and the number is growing rapidly. Libraries of Things are located in a variety of settings, including libraries, community centers, and even schools.

The most popular items at Library of Things are tools and equipment, followed by games and toys. Libraries of Things are most popular in urban areas, but they are also starting to become more common in rural areas.

Library of Things are often funded by grants or donations, and they are staffed by volunteers.

Community Spirit in the UK

Community spirit is a strong tradition in the UK. People are often willing to help out their neighbors and their community. This is evident in the many community-based organizations that exist in the UK, such as sports clubs, volunteer groups, and community centers.

Community spirit is important for a number of reasons. It can help to build a sense of belonging and community, it can provide support and resources to those in need, and it can help to make a community a more enjoyable place to live.

There are many ways to get involved in community spirit in the UK. You can volunteer your time to a local organization, donate to a worthy cause, or simply get to know your neighbors.

The Benefits of Library of Things and Community Spirit

Library of Things and community spirit have a number of benefits, including:

• Reduced waste: When people borrow instead of buy, they reduce the amount of waste that is produced.
• Encouraged sharing: Libraries of Things and community spirit encourage people to share resources, which can help to build community and reduce costs.
• Access to new things: Libraries of Things and community spirit give people access to new things that they might not otherwise be able to afford or have space for.
• Increased sense of belonging: Libraries of Things and community spirit can help people feel more connected to their community and their neighbors.
• Reduced social isolation: Libraries of Things and community spirit can help people connect with others and reduce social isolation.
• Improved mental and physical health: Libraries of Things and community spirit can help improve mental and physical health by providing opportunities for social interaction, exercise, and relaxation.

Conclusion

Libraries of Things and community spirit are two important trends in the UK. They offer a number of benefits, including reduced waste, encouraged sharing, access to new things, increased sense of belonging, reduced social isolation, and improved mental and physical health. If you are looking for ways to be more sustainable, save money, and connect with your community, consider using a Library of Things or getting involved in community spirit.

Here are some examples of Libraries of Things in the UK:

• Bath Share and Repair: Their collection consists of camping & outdoors, DIY, gardening, home, parties & event goods.
• Birmingham The Borrow Shop: This shop has a collection of DIY, ceaning, DIY, toys and hobbies, home goods. There goods are advertised as eco-friendly. They also have a vegan cafe on site.
• Birmingham Tool Library: This library has a collection of tools and equipment available for loan, including power tools, hand tools, and gardening tools.
• Bristol SHARE: This organisation has a range of tools to share.
• Bristol Tool Library: This library has a collection of tools and equipment available for loan, including power tools, hand tools, and gardening tools.
• Crieff Community Tool Library (Remake): This community can lend you a range of goods such as tools: crafts, DIY, equipment, gardening, play etc. They run repair workshops in their store / second-hand shop, they also stock second-hand bikes!
• Devon Share Shed Mobile Library of Things: Their on-the-road collection includes over 350 items including: camping, gardening, household appliances, sewing machines, suitcases, tools and more.

• East Linton Tool Library: This library has a collection of tools: building, DIY, gardening, sewing etc. They also run a repair cafe.
• Edinburgh Tool Library: This library has a collection of tools and equipment available for loan, including power tools, hand tools, and gardening tools.
• Edinburgh Fintry Gardening Tool Library: Fintry Community Library has launched a gardening tool library to help residents in the area get involved in gardening and sustainable living. The library offers a variety of tools and equipment, including hand tools, power tools, and gardening supplies. Tools can be borrowed for free for three weeks.
• Exeter Library of Things: This library has a collection of baby & children items, gardening equipment, toys and hobbies, home, leisure, sports, technology and tools.
• Exmouth Library of Things: This library has a collection of camping, cooking, gardening, toys and hobbies, home, items for parties, travel goods and tools.
• Flitwick and Ampthill SHARE: With their collection they are able to lend you gardening, DIY, toys and hobbies, leisure, home, party, sport and event goods.
• Frome SHARE: Their collection includes 1000 items from 10 categories: arts and craft, baby and children, DIY, events, gardening, household, kitchen, leisure & camping, music and media, sports, hobbies, toys & games.
• Glasgow Musical Instrument Library: Music Broth is a Glasgow-based organization that provides affordable access to musical instruments and equipment. They are is a community-led organization that aiming to make music more accessible to everyone.
• Glasgow The Toy Library: Based in Govan offering a wide range of fabulous, quality toys for families across Glasgow. The library contains a huge range for every age and stage from birth to around 12 years old.

• Glasgow Tool Library: This library as a wide range of tools to loan you.
• Glasgow Southside Tool Library: They can lend tools: for cars, cleaning, DIY, gardening, kitchen, sewing etc.
• Hastings Library of Things: This library has a collection of arts and crafts, camping, DIY and gardening tools, health and wellbeing, toys and hobbies, home, outdoor, party, sports, technology, toys & games.
• Hull Library of Things: This library has a collection of home, outdoor, gardening and party goods, automotive, children, DIY, health and wellbeing, toys and hobbies, and technology items.
• Kernow Library of Things: This library has a collection of arts and crafts, camping equipment, party and decorating goods, toys, games and hobbies, gardening, kitchen equipment, and also tools.
• Killin RecyKillin Tool Library & Remakery: This organisation can lend tools: cleaning, DIY, gardening, kitchen, sewing etc. They also runs workshops and repairs.
• Kinghorn Ecology Centre Tool Library: They can lend you tools: building, car, DIY, gardening etc.
• Leeds Buy Nowt LS6: Their collection consists of arts and crafts, baby and child, outdoor and camping, cooking, DIY, gardening, home, sports, toys and hobbies.
• Lewes Library of Things: This library has a collection of cleaning, home, gardening, baby and children, outdoor and camping, party and event goods, toys, hobbies, sports and leisure and tools.
• Linlithgow Tool Library: This library can lend you all sorts of tools.
• Liverpool Tool Library: This library has all sorts of tools, for home, outdoor, kitchen, gardening, hobbies, DIY etc. They also have a wide range of useful books to help you!
• London Tool Library: This library has a wide variety of tools and equipment available for loan, including power tools, hand tools, and gardening tools.
• London Library of Things x 10 locations): These libraries have a ranging collection of outdoor and sports, home, cooking, cleaning, DIY, interior, gardening, toys and hobbies. Bromley, Crystal Palace, Dalston, Finsbury Park, Hackney Wick, Hammersmith, Kentish Town, Morden, Sutton, Woolwich.
• Manchester Library of Things: This library has a collection of items that can be borrowed for free, including sewing machines, tools, DIY, gardening, musical instruments, toys, hobbies, and also camping gear if you are off on your hols!

• Oxford SHARE: Their collection includes goods from the following categories, arts and crafts, camping, children, cleaning, cooking, cycling, DIY, education, electronics, entertaining, gardening, household, music, sports and travel.
• Portsmouth SHARE: Their collection of goods includes the following, arts and crafts, camping, cooking, DIY, entertaining, gardening and household.
• Plymouth Borrow Don't Buy: They have a collection of baby & child, DIY, party and event supplies, outdoor, gardening, home maintenance & cleaning, kitchen, cooking, toys, hobbies, and technology.
• Salisbury SHARE: Their collection consists such as DIY, events, gardening, home maintenance & cleaning, kitchen and cooking, outdoors & hobbies.
• St Andrews Tool Share: This library has a collection of gardening equipment, kitchen appliances, and tools to lend.
• Stirling Tool Library: They have over 300 items from sewing machines, drills and saws to mechanical tools, gardening tools and cooking equipment.

These are just a few examples of the many Libraries of Things that are available in the UK. If you know of anymore please do reach out to us at The Peoples Hub and we can list them here.

If you are interested in finding a Library of Things near you, you can search online or contact your local library or community center.