Library of Things: borrow tools and gadgets instead of buying

A drill, a pressure washer, a sewing machine or a tent are usually needed a couple of times a year — yet they take up cupboard space and money all the time. In Britain there is a sensible alternative to buying: the Library of Things, where you rent what you need for a small fee and return it. Here is how it works.

What is the Library of Things?

It is a social enterprise that rents out items "from your local high street". There are currently more than 45 items at 23 locations. Among the things you can borrow: BOSCH power tools, STIHL garden equipment, Kärcher pressure washers, and Vango and The North Face camping gear. You take an item for as long as you need and pay only for that time, not for the whole purchase.

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How do you borrow an item?

The process is simple: you sign up on the website, reserve the item online, collect it from a self-service locker near you, and after use return it — clean, so the next neighbour can use it. The lockers are in public spaces: in London, for example, one point is inside the Barbican Library. The site's map shows your nearest location.

Who is it good for?

Anyone who needs an item only rarely. A decent pressure washer or sander costs tens or even hundreds of pounds; renting for a day or two costs a fraction of that. It is not free as such, but the effect is the same: you get the job done without spending money on something that then gathers dust for a year. It also means less clutter and less waste — one item serves a whole neighbourhood.

What if there is no Library of Things nearby?

If there is no Library of Things near you, neighbourly options help. On sharing apps — Olio, Freegle, Freecycle and local "Buy Nothing" groups — neighbours lend and give away tools for free. And some areas have community "tool libraries" and "share shops" run by centres and churches. Ask what is available near you at your local library or council.