We all have those items that wind up collecting dust and become a waste of our money. Instead of continuing to pay for things that go to waste, let your library help.
The Library of Things pull-out poster | Image via American Library Magazine/Brian Mead.
All across America you can find what are called “Libraries of Things”, where, similar to your average book library, you can find all sorts of items that can be rented for a limited amount of time. These items can be very random, ranging from entertaining, such as board games, to productive, e.g. sewing machines.
The multitude of things you can rent from a “Library of things” | Image via Spokane Library
Anything you may need, for a short amount of time, you can look into your community’s “Library of Things”, and there it will be waiting for you, unless of course, someone else has checked it out before you did. Then you’ll just have to wait til the return date of the item you need.
According to several sources, these special Libraries have been in use since the early 1900s. Newark, NJ had theirs all the way back in 1904. According to an article from HuffPost:
In 1979, the city of Berkeley, California, opened its storied tool library, where residents can check out everything from a hammer to a toilet snake. There’s a similar tool library in Portland, Maine. The Flinn Gallery, at the Greenwich Public Library in Connecticut, has been lending artwork to patrons for decades.
The purpose of these libraries is not just so you don’t have to worry about buying anything ever again. It also helps building communities closer together, as most items available are donated, and can make a positive impact on everyday living.
Take, for example, the Tool Lending Library from The Millvale (PA) Community Library – MCL for short. The MCL Tool Lending Library provides access to, you guessed it, a variety of tools, and its impact on the community is amazing.
The library has a strong goal of sustainability evidenced by this effort which allows a great number of people to borrow from any of over 350 tools rather than purchasing…Affordable access to tools allows people to maintain/repair their homes, grow their own food, work with neighbors on restoration and improvement projects, and even start new jobs and businesses.
Also according to Public Libraries Online…
A Library of Things helps to reduce consumption and waste while providing access to many items people may not be able to purchase. This movement can bring the community together for a shared greater vision.
Image via NY Times
Pay your local “Library of things” a visit and see what you can find. You never know what kind of difference it may make. Your wallet, at the very least, will surely be grateful.
Featured Image via Everybody Knows