What if libraries had more than books that we could borrow and use, like moving trailers, trucks, hammers, wrenches, shovels, wheelbarrows, lawnmowers, 3d printers, cnc machines, etc? What if library networks started including those things in their library networks? What if we started sharing our equipment with our neighbors, and only getting it as a personal item when it’s something you want due to a passion or need?
Local libraries around me don’t have the funding to keep things like tools and hobby equipment, BUT they do have a lovely book filled with tools and other hobby things and numbers to call, and the person who owns them will put you on the list to borrow the thing. Once had an issue where a 3d printer was being kept too long but it got sorted out.
It’s all volunteer stuff, the people who have the tools usually bring them to whoever needs one, and things are generally not abused by the borrowers.
I’d love if we could have a “library of things” associated with the public library officially, but this has been working for a few years now. It’s mostly yard work and household tools, but a lot of jewelry making and art supplies as well.
Actually, a lot of libraries DO have other things to lend! Usually items small and light enough to carry home, like electric hand tools, specialty baking/cooking pans and implements, musical instruments, recording equipment, it varies.
What if libraries had more than books that we could borrow and use, like moving trailers, trucks, hammers, wrenches, shovels, wheelbarrows, lawnmowers, 3d printers, cnc machines, etc? What if library networks started including those things in their library networks? What if we started sharing our equipment with our neighbors, and only getting it as a personal item when it’s something you want due to a passion or need?
The central library in Helsinki has nearly all this and audio and video recording studios as well: https://oodihelsinki.fi/en/
Great, it exists! Then the next question is, what if we base our economy around this method of distribution?
Won’t somebody think of the billionaires???
The billionaire’s have the libraries in their summer mansions. But they are appalled you touch and read the decorations.
Scotland has this: https://circularcommunities.scot/share-repair-network/
Very cool, love seeing a mutual aid network. Now we need to build it out everywhere so we can actually achieve a global general strike
Idk about lawnmowers but the libraries near me do have maker spaces and small tools that you can check out.
Library of Things
Love the library!!!
Yep, but it’s our county: https://kcls.org/makerspaces/
Local libraries around me don’t have the funding to keep things like tools and hobby equipment, BUT they do have a lovely book filled with tools and other hobby things and numbers to call, and the person who owns them will put you on the list to borrow the thing. Once had an issue where a 3d printer was being kept too long but it got sorted out.
It’s all volunteer stuff, the people who have the tools usually bring them to whoever needs one, and things are generally not abused by the borrowers.
I’d love if we could have a “library of things” associated with the public library officially, but this has been working for a few years now. It’s mostly yard work and household tools, but a lot of jewelry making and art supplies as well.
Actually, a lot of libraries DO have other things to lend! Usually items small and light enough to carry home, like electric hand tools, specialty baking/cooking pans and implements, musical instruments, recording equipment, it varies.
Check to see if you have a local “library of things”, they do pretty much exactly that, typically for a very small fee.