On Monday, I visited the Library of things in Oxford, which is run by Share Oxford, located at Make Space Oxford. It was there that I met Maurice, one of the key people in running Share Oxford and the Library of things. It is currently still being developed in Oxford but the concept behind the library of things has existed for a while in several locations. The library of things website describes the concept as:
A Library of Things is a treasure box of useful and joyful Things in your local library, housing block, cafe or workspace. There, you can:
–> Borrow Things like drills, steam cleaners, strimmers, gazebos & GoPros by the day or week –> Join practical events like DIY classes & Mending Meet-ups –> Volunteer & get to know your neighbours: organise events, fix Things & spread the word Below are some images:
(Source: Library of Things: https://www.libraryofthings.co.uk/)
I really got on board with the concept after talking with Maurice. He highlighted the importance of a library of things because it would promote values such as:
The avoidance of waste
Providing people with access to things rather than owning things
He truly believes in "Improving the longevity of utility of items" and is against the 'throw-away culture' that is promoted through consumerism. There are many objects that are discarded which could be perfectly re-used by others, but there are also many objects we possess that we do not use, that could be utilised by another person. He wants to change the culture within Oxford and also to build up community around it. Right now they are trying to understand how it would work to scale it up. Maurice feels that the model can work particularly well in Oxford due to the student population that is ever-changing in the city. Items such as kettles and toasters, that are usually bought by students when they first move in to shared housing, can be circulated through the Library of Things at a reduced cost to students, and returned to the Library of Things at the end of the academic year. The Library of Things would also host bi-monthly repair workshops, where people can bring in items that they would like to repair. This further encourages the idea of maximising the utility of items. He also aims to reduce the abuse of items / the system through promoting a culture of sharing & community as well as through procedure and process.
When a person comes to the Share Oxford, Library of Things, they will be met by Maurice, or another friendly face, striking a relationship, which would be different to the standard consumer relationship offered in shops, as there is a shared understanding of the concept, and the person will return again with the said item. This promotes the idea of a community. Procedure will also allow for a reduction in the abuse of items through gathering contact details about the person and also either a membership fee or a payment being used as a method of income for the Library of Things.
I found visiting the library of things very encouraging, especially seeing how it could really benefit communities such as the student population and those who may not be able to afford certain items but may want access to them. I love the idea of the circular economy, and breaking down the 'Buy, Use, Throw' culture around us. I have hesitations on seeing how this could be up-scaled well, and I feel that it would work better in a regional format rather than city-wide, but Maurice already acknowledged that this is a possibility that they will look into. Overall, I'd recommend people making a visit to 'Makespace Oxford' the co-working space in Jericho, where Share Oxford is located, and also paying a visit to the Library of Things!
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