Do you use a Library of Things? 🔨🎺

MSE_Laura_F

Have you ever used a Library of Things, a local hub where you can borrow tools and other occasional-use items? I'm keen to hear:

• What you borrowed
• What the payment system is
• How you found the experience

There's a directory of UK Libraries of Things here.

Thank you,

MSE Laura

marcia_

 Haven't used them but did donate tools I didn't need. My uncle is a ex plumber and handy man he is retired but still does jobs for family and friends so borrows frequently from there. 

 Liverpool tool library is pay what you can with a suggested £30 fee but it's not essential.

https://liverpooltoollibrary.org.uk/How-it-Works

Chloe_G

The one in our county consists of circus skill kits - which is not a lot of use to me!

twopenny

There isn't one near me, I'd not heard of it before this. Interesting idea.

I now recall years ago someone tried to start a share of tools and such but it didn't work out because some people didn't return them in time or passed them on to friends rather than to the group. I remember trying to borrow a shredder but it passed through various hands and vanished.

MSE_James

There was a more commercial version of a Library of Things (with a similar range of household tools / camping gear / AV equipment to the more community/council-backed efforts) that operated in my local Tesco Extra for a bit, but I don't think it lasted long.  I can't find the company name now.

There's also a bit of trend for companies to offer rental options - eg Decathlon rents out sports and camping gear for short term use.

marcia_

MSE_James said:

There was a more commercial version of a Library of Things (with a similar range of household tools / camping gear / AV equipment to the more community/council-backed efforts) that operated in my local Tesco Extra for a bit, but I don't think it lasted long.  I can't find the company name now.

There's also a bit of trend for companies to offer rental options - eg Decathlon rents out sports and camping gear for short term use.

I didn't know that but will be heading there to check this out 

Chloe_G

I would definitely use a Library of Things if it was local to me and included items such as carpet cleaners, power washers, mitres saws etc.  My garage contains items we needed but only used a couple of times.

GDB2222

I had a look at a few items in my local library. The daily hire rate seems to be set at about 10% of the cost of buying the tool. The tools seemed to be good quality items. 

ruby_eskimo

Our library of things is linked through our main town library and supplied by the local zero waste initiative.  We don't have to pay to borrow the items, it's all free: https://guildfordlibraryofthings.org/

DH's borrowed a gazebo and folding chairs for events over the summer, and last weekend we borrowed the wallpaper steamer to help strip some wallpaper.  Absolutely love the ease and the variety of items!