At Swiss Cottage Library you can now borrow not just books and DVDs but items such as a steam cleaner, circular saw, karaoke equipment, wallpaper stripper, sewing machine, digital projector, moisture meter, folding trolley, extending ladder, even an ice cream maker!
OK, it’s not technically ‘borrow’ as there is a small daily hire charge but it seems modest compared to buying a piece of equipment then stuffing it in a cupboard, often unused ever again.
You can join online and reserve and collect the items from a self- service locker at the library. They can be delivered for an additional fee.
The Library of Things is now a global movement kick started by a social enterprise set up initially in South London in 2014. There are now 21 locations around London – Swiss Cottage joins Kentish Town and Willesden Green in NW London.
The aim is to encourage sharing of resources and by so doing, save money, reduce waste, cut down on overproduction and generally reduce carbon emissions – so far 1,500 tonnes they have calculated. Many of the expensive things we buy sit in cupboards unused after fulfilling their task, a huge waste of resources and many cannot afford the items in the first place. Sounds like a win-win!
Check out their website for more details
