Library of Things

📍 Can you guess our next location?… 👀✨ This spring, we're opening a new Library of Things somewhere iconic in London 😍 Can you work out where? Clue 1️⃣ This spot is famous for its bold, brutalist architecture. Clue 2️⃣ It sits inside one of the largest multi-arts venues of its kind. Clue 3️⃣ You’ll find books and culture – and soon, tools! – all under one roof. Drop your guesses in the comments ⬇️ 🎉 We’ll pick one winner at random to get their first rental here FREE! All you have to do is comment the exact location below. Tag a friend for an extra entry. Never heard of a Library of Things? It’s an affordable way to access useful items - from DIY tools and cleaning equipment to tents and party kit - instead of buying, saving you money and space while being kinder to our planet 🌍 The Ts and Cs • Winner chosen at random from correct guesses • We'll DM the winner before opening • One voucher to be redeemed up to the value of £25 • This giveaway is not affiliated with or endorsed by Instagram Sussed it? Head to the link in bio to sign up to be first to hear when this location opens! #ComingSoon #LibraryOfThings #SupportLocal #UnderConsumption #DIYTools

London just got TWO new Libraries of Things! 💜 It was a race to the finish but we're delighted to be open just in time for the Easter holidays, so busy, budget conscious parents now have the option to affordably rent useful tools for entertaining, cleaning, gardening, DIY and more from two new south London locations. Big love to our partners, team and Londoners everywhere who are embracing the movement to buy less and share more. We wouldn't be here without you. Say hi in the comments if you're planning a visit to our lockers soon! 👋 If your weekend plans involve: ✨ Spring cleaning: We've got carpet cleaners, steamers and pressure washers 🌱 Gardening: Strimmers and trimmers for garden tidy ups 🎤 Low cost Easter fun: projectors and speakers 🛠️ DIY projects: Drills, sanders and power tools Find all this and more on our website 👆 📍Book online and collect from Dulwich Leisure Centre, The Castle Leisure Centre or Canada Water Library (as well as over 20 locations across the city!) Hope you enjoy the spring sunshine whatever you get up to!

EDIT: Dulwich Library of Things is now open for bookings! 🙌 Opening soon in Dulwich! 💫 This is the second Library of Things location to open in Southwark and means residents of this south London borough will soon be able to rent handy tools for DIY, cleaning, gardening and more. With spring cleaning season in full swing, it couldn't be better timing! Sharing more = less wasteful, single-use purchases taking up storage space or ending up as rubbish! It can also save you money on top brands like Kärcher, Stihl and others. This is part of @southwarkcouncil 's efforts for every home to be within 1.5 miles of a @library.of.things 💪💚 Shout-out to the super efficient install team & leisure centre staff for their patience on installation day! Sign up to be first in line to rent from here via the link in bio✍️ #dulwich #dulwichlife #dulwichlocal #newlocation #libraryofthings #dulwichvillage #dulwichmums #southwark #installationday #comingsoon

Something special happened at Barbican Library on Saturday 🛠️🧵🙌 Many of our attendees picked up a drill or threaded a sewing machine for the very first time 💪The drop-in skills shares were part of our launch event celebrating our 23rd London location 🤯 The City of London Library of Things is officially open, helping even more Londoners save money, get DIY-confident and make the shift towards more circular habits 🥳 A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, and to our brilliant hosts Alina Koztepe of @divinecouturelondonltd and Harry from @woodshop_of_recycled_delights for sharing their skills and expertise with such a brilliant crowd (do check out their workshops!). And to @friendsofcitygardens for the gorgeous plant and seed donations - they went to very happy homes. And of course to our partners at the Barbican Library, the City of London and @stby.de for making all of this a reality! 🌿 Need a tool for a one-off project and trying to buy less stuff? Browse and book the full range of rentable tools and equipment on our website. Collect from the lockers inside Barbican Library 🧰🔧 #LibraryofThings #Barbican #CityofLondon #BorrowDontBuy #SquareMile

Episode 1 of Business (Un)usual is out now. 🙌 The first episode explores the question at the heart of Library of Things: do you really need to own it? Perhaps today more than ever (!) we need stories of people, organisations and communities doing things differently and being honest about what it takes to break out of the 'business as usual' mould, so this is our story 💜 🎧 Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts! Link in the usual place 👆

Want to level up your DIY skills or master the sewing machine? Join us this Saturday at Barbican Library. It's FREE and all skill levels are welcome! What's going on? 🛠️ Power tool demos, tips and tricks from @woodshop_of_recycled_delights 🪡 Learn sewing machine basics with @alinakoztepe of @divinecouturelondonltd . 🌱 Bring seeds and plants to swap with your neighbours 🧰 Learn more about @library.of.things , the items available and get a 15% off code for your first booking 🎀 Plus a little ribbon cutting at midday to celebrate the opening of City of London Library of Things 🥳 See you there!

So nice, we had to do it twice. 1/ Gunnersbury Park & Museum: One of our favourite afternoon's out! 🌳 2/ Ealing Beaver Project: Why not take yourself on a self-guided tour of Paradise Fields in Greenford? 🦫 3/ ActOne Cinema: In the middle of Acton High Street, check out the latest film over the weekend 🍿 4/ Library of Things: Sooo much stuff to rent here, maybe take a frisbee to the park? #london #ealing #museum #fyp #travel

Some people might say London is full of tools… just not always the useful kind. When it comes to DIY, we’re not exactly the sharpest in the shed either. Luckily, @library.of.things has it covered. What started as a grassroots idea is now a city-wide tool-sharing platform where you can borrow everything from carpet cleaners and power drills to bat detectors (yes, really). It’s cheaper, less wasteful, and saves you from buying something you’ll use once and forget about. What are you borrowing first?👇

Meet our first members! 👋 Just some of the lovely folk who decided they didn't need to go shopping for something they might only use for a one-off project. Instead they hit up the new Library of Things inside the Barbican Library 🙌 Our first City of London users have told us they've put shelves up, pressure washed patios and cut tiles, saving money, waste and storage space in the process! But a special shout out has to go to Joseph in the first photo, who hired the drill, SDS drill, jigsaw AND hand sander to build a bookcase 💪 If you want to get more DIY-confident, would love to learn how to use a sewing machine or you're just trying to save money and buy less stuff then... 🎉 Come along to our launch event on Saturday 9th May, 11am-2pm 📍 Barbican Library, level 2 of the @barbicancentre You'll be able to try out the tools and get top tips from @woodshop_of_recycled_delights , @divinecouturelondonltd and Jamie, our very own repair technician. And in the spirit of circularity we'll also be hosting a plant and seed swap! 🌱 Let us know you're coming via the Eventbrite 👆 #LibraryofThings #SquareMile #LearnDIY #UnderConsumption #SeedSwap

It’s National Library Week and this year’s theme is ‘Find your joy’! 🎉⁠ ⁠ While we love a classic book library – you can find out about what we’ve been reading recently in issue 24’s bookshelf – we’re celebrating a different kind of sharing in Ethos 24.⁠ ⁠ For this issue’s long read, David Lloyd explores The Library of Things, an initiative that organises sharing systems so people can borrow pretty much everything: from drills and bikes to cots and power washers.⁠ ⁠ The movement has gone global, with sharing libraries popping up in Scotland’s Black Isle all the way to sunny Sydney.⁠ ⁠ “The modern Library of Things movement is, in many ways, simply a formalisation of something that humans have always done instinctively: share.⁠ ⁠ “Add to that the hard economics of modern life – the cost-of-living pressures, the shrinking homes, the younger generation’s pragmatic disinterest in ownership – and the Library of Things stops looking like a nice-in-theory idea and more of an inevitability.” ⁠ ⁠ David catches up with London's Library of Things organisers to understand how these libraries are reshaping ideas about ownership, sharing and community.⁠ ⁠ Buy issue 24 to read the full story through the link in our bio!⁠ ⁠ CC: @library.of.things , ⁠@bexles , ⁠ ⁠ #Ethosmag #Ethos24 #Ethos #independentpublishing #independentpublisher #indiemag #independentmagazine #magazine #goodbusiness #goodpeople #goodnews #positivestories ⁠#library #libraryofthings #libraries #sharinglibraries #sharingeconomy ⁠

🌍 Happy Earth Day! Today is a reminder that small changes can make a big difference. One simple way to reduce waste and live more sustainably is by rethinking how we use everyday items. Instead of buying something you might only use once, why not borrow it? We’ve recently launched our @library.of.things at Barbican Library - a space where residents, city workers, and visitors can hire tools, electronics, and more. Whether it’s for a DIY project, an event, or trying something new, borrowing helps cut down on waste and supports a more circular way of living. This Earth Day, take a step towards a greener future 🌱 #EarthDay #SustainableLiving #LibraryOfThings #ReduceReuseRecycle #CircularEconomy

Need help with your spring clean? 🌸 Discover our wide range of easy-to-use cleaning tools at Library Of Things. 🧼✨ From sparkling windows to freshly steamed carpets — we’ve got you covered. Simply reserve what you need, choose how long you’d like to borrow it, and pop down to Pimlico Library to collect. No need to buy brand new equipment. 👀 Hit the link in our bio to book your item today! 📍 Pimlico Library #libraryofthings #westminster #springclean #cleanhome