Library of things – The Green Tau

Counting on … day 68

22nd May 2025

Depending where you live, you may have easy access to a library of things meaning if you need a power drill, or a sewing machine, a wood plane or a fish kettle, you can borrow one for a small fee. And thus avoiding spending far more on something you may only use once. That is good for sustainability and potentially increases resilience in the event of a crisis. It can also nurture structures and habits that makes for a resilient community – a community that can look after each other.

https://www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk/library-of-things

https://www.libraryofthings.co.uk/

Counting on … day 22

22nd January 2024

Library of Things

Crom cars to party dresses, from power drills to bicycles, more people are hiring or borrowing things rather than buying. It can be the cheaper option, especially if you know you will only use the item once or twice. It may be an attractive option of the up-front cost is high – such as for a car. It can also make ecological sense. The ecological footprint – the resources used in making it – can be spread between a greater number of people. Rather than using up, say, 10kg of metal, plastic and electrics, to make 10 power drills, why not use 1kg of resources that can be used by ten different people – and possibly more.

there are various formal websites that allow you to lend and borrow items – such as Next Door Neighbour – https://www.libraryofthings.co.uk/

And Street Bank - https://www.streetbank.com/

you can probably do the same via your local street’s WhatsApp group.

Alternatively you can go to your nearest Library of Things and borrow what you need – https://www.libraryofthings.co.uk/