Want a Library of Things in your London neighbourhood?
Are you based in London? Want to help start a Library of Things site with your community?
Library of Things arrives in a new neighbourhood by invitation only, when local people say ‘we want this!’ We don’t stick a purple flag in the ground and ‘pop up’ in new places. That means the leadership and energy needs to come from you.
We're looking for brilliant people & host spaces who want to start and host a Library of Things site, supported by us.
To express your interest and find out more, fill in the Register Your Interest form below – and join one of our tours.
But first, some information on how it all works.
How it works: Getting started
We've designed this process to make sure we find enthusiastic, collaborative people to work with, and to make sure everyone knows what to expect:
What you need in place: Core ingredients
1. An Initiator team: A group of well-networked local people
Representative of the neighbourhood
With large local networks
With time and energy to spare
With some track record of delivering a successful project
With a positive, can-do attitude & a commitment to working collaboratively
2. A Host Site: A community space to host the borrowing kiosk
This might be a library, sports facility, church, shared space in a housing development...
With existing footfall
With a collaborative decision-maker keen and able to join the Initiator team
With at least 10m x 1.5m space available along a wall
Able to provide guaranteed space at no or very low rent for at least 2 years
Open and staffed at least 40 hours per week (ideally)
Able to demonstrate financial stability
Welcoming to everyone in the neighbourhood and a positive reputation
3. A Local Community: A mixed local community who want to use a Library of Things
With a demonstrable appetite for borrowing useful Things
With a culture of local volunteering and making ideas happen – or an openness to starting one
How it works: Up and running
Once a new Library of Things has launched in a neighbourhood, there's ongoing work to do to make sure that the Things stay in good nick, that local people come to borrow on a regular basis and that the day-to-day admin is sorted. Here’s how we propose we work together to make that happen:
Library of Things' responsibilities
We take care of the boring stuff. We operate the fully insured Thing borrowing service, including:
Thing sourcing, maintenance & repair
Ongoing ‘smart borrowing kiosk’ development
Online volunteer & events platform
Digital customer service
Digital marketing
Insurance
Bookkeeping & administration
Host Community & Site responsibilities
Hosting, promoting, caring for & making key decisions around their Library of Things site, including:
Light-touch decision-making eg. reviewing sales performance
Local marketing & outreach
Volunteer recruitment & coordination
Maintaining a clean, lit, staffed, welcoming host space
Get started today!
Join a tour at Library of Things latest site in Crystal Palace to learn how it works (book here – and let us know if you need a sponsored place)
Put yourself on the map using the form below – so you’re friends & neighbours know you’re keen
Find local supporters – residents, businesses, networks, the local council – anyone that might benefit from having a Library of Things in the neighbourhood.
Who wants one?
Click the icons on the map to see the names of the people who've signed up to show their interest in starting, hosting, sponsoring or borrowing from a Library of Things near them. Add yourself to the map via the form below!