Following the success of the first Library of Things site in Canada Water, the council has worked with the social enterprise to expand to two new locations. This means most Southwark residents will have access to an affordable sharing library within 1.5 miles of their home. This is part of the council’s vision to build a fair, green and safe Southwark where everyone can live a good life as part of a strong community.
Library of Things is now open in Dulwich Leisure Centre and Castle Leisure Centre, as well as the original site in Canada Water Library. This means residents and businesses can affordably access useful items like carpet cleaners, drills and sewing machines for a few pounds per day, instead of buying brand new items that won’t be used regularly. There’s also popular party equipment available to rent, like sound systems and projectors.
Library of Things is a community-powered social enterprise that helps people save money and reduce unnecessary waste. With nearly 60,000 rentals to date, it has saved Londoners over £8 million by preventing the purchase of brand new things, saving approximately 379 tonnes of waste from ending up in landfill - the equivalent to 30 double decker London buses.
The service also helps people share practical skills like DIY and repair with others in the community. A survey by Library of Things found that 58% of their members said their motivation for borrowing was to help the environment, while 60% say they're more likely to reuse, repair and recycle having borrowed.
This expansion is part of Southwark Council’s wider effort to create a healthy environment in the borough, including moving to a circular economy.
Eleanor Storey, member of Library of Things said: "I love Library of Things. I used it all the time when I lived in east London and have been looking for the nearest one since I moved. I would be a regular at the Dulwich site! Amazing initiative for saving space, money and reducing waste. "
Cllr John Batteson, Southwark Council Lead Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs and Business, said: "We are thrilled to expand Library of Things in Southwark with two new locations, which means most of our residents now live in close proximity to a site they can use. We have seen in Canada Water how community borrowing can save residents money, help them pick up new skills and foster a greater sense of community – all whilst reducing their own carbon footprint and helping the planet.
"That’s why we’re proud to be leading the way for the sharing economy in London with this expansion, showing how tackling the climate emergency and becoming more sustainable is something that can be fun, convenient and allows people to save money at the same time."
Rebecca Trevalyan, co-founder of Library of Things, said: "We celebrate Southwark Council for pioneering the global Sharing Cities movement with us. Now nearly every Southwark home is within 1.5 miles of a Library of Things!
"Southwark Council and other councils across London have helped create the first city-wide network of sharing libraries in the UK. Thousands of residents are benefitting from lower living costs, and are reducing waste and emissions by preventing unnecessary purchases and adopting reuse and repair behaviours.
"We’d love to hear from other cities in the UK and Europe who’d like to be the next."