Transition Town Kingston, in partnership with Kingston Council and the Library of Things, is seeking funding to set up a Library of Things in Kingston. The Library of Things is a public space where residents can rent household items, stored in lockers. Items range from drills, sewing machines, jet washes, carpet cleaners, amongst many others.
To rent items, you just need to download the Library of Things app, select the item you wish to borrow and for how long, pick up the item and bring it back once you have used it. You can also request items to be part of the collection which are not currently available.
As well as a Library of Things, funding will also go towards repair workshops so the community can come together to repair broken goods and learn practical skills.
Library of Things' have been popping up all over London and we would love Kingston to be next! To find out more about the project, please visit the Library of Things website on https://www.libraryofthings.co.uk/
What we'll deliver:
- Lockers in a public space where people can rent household items
- Community-led Repair Workshops
- Reduction of waste and consumption emissions
- Rental service to help the community save money
Why it's a great idea:
We all have household items in our home which we have bought and used once or twice before it is stashed away in the back of a cupboard or our sheds and either rarely used again, or sometimes never used again and thrown away. It is frustrating to have to buy goods and spend money on things we rarely use, particularly in a cost of living crisis. It is also damaging to our environment, causing unnecessary carbon emissions, through production to disposal of the items. Library of Things challenges this issue. Why buy when you can rent what you need for a small fee? Library of Things allows us to rent infrequently used household items, saving on money and clutter in our home as well as helping to reduce waste and carbon emissions.
With additional funding, the Library of Things will also support community groups with repair workshops. This provides opportunities for residents to learn how to fix broken household goods, further reducing waste and emissions as well as saving them money.
Steps to get it done:
- Getting a Library of Things installed in an accessible venue in Kingston
- Opening the Library of Things
- Promoting Library of Things to Kingston residents
- Setting up Repair Workshops/Cafes
