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Library of things

A library of things is a community-based lending service that circulates non-book physical items such as tools, household appliances, recreational equipment, and gadgets, operating on principles of borrowing, return, and shared access to minimize individual ownership and waste generation.^[1]^[2] These facilities extend traditional library models by providing temporary access to infrequently used objects, fostering resource efficiency through communal utilization rather than private accumulation.^[3]^[4] Emerging in modern form during the early 21st century amid rising interest in sustainable practices, libraries of things build on historical precedents like early 20th-century loans of artwork and equipment, with notable early implementations including the 2009 Borrow Station in Copenhagen, Denmark.^[5]^[2] Proponents highlight their role in promoting behavioral shifts toward reuse and repair, with user surveys indicating increased likelihood of recycling and community cohesion, alongside potential carbon emission reductions from averted purchases.^[6]^[7]^[8] Common items include power tools, kitchenware, musical instruments, and technology devices, often acquired through donations or purchases and managed via membership fees or library cards to cover maintenance and losses.^[9]^[10]

History

Origins and Precursors

The lending of non-book items from public libraries predates the modern library of things concept, with isolated examples appearing in the early 20th century, such as the Newark Public Library offering framed paintings for checkout starting in 1904.^[2] Tool-lending initiatives, which form the primary precursors to libraries of things, emerged amid mid-20th-century resource constraints, particularly during World War II when tool shortages prompted community sharing efforts. The earliest known formal tool library was established in 1943 at the Grosse Pointe Public Library in Michigan, initiated by the Boys’ Work Committee of the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club; it began with 25 tools to teach practical skills to youth and has since expanded to over 150 items, remaining operational with ongoing Rotary support.^[11]^[12]^[13] A wave of tool libraries followed in the 1970s, driven by economic pressures, environmental awareness, and a backlash against consumerism, though many faced challenges from manual inventory systems and the availability of inexpensive imported tools, leading to closures. Key early examples include the ModCon Living Tool Library in Columbus, Ohio, founded in 1976 to assist homeowners and growing to over 5,000 tools by 2009 under nonprofit management; the Phinney Tool Library in Seattle, Washington, started in 1977 with student donations and expanding to 3,000 items; and the Berkeley Tool Lending Library in California, launched in 1979 with a $30,000 federal Community Development Block Grant, initially stocking 500 tools in a trailer.^[11]^[14]^[13] These tool libraries laid the groundwork for broader libraries of things by demonstrating the feasibility of circulating durable goods to reduce ownership costs and waste, influencing later expansions into diverse categories like appliances and recreational gear amid the 2000s sharing economy and the 2008 financial crisis. The first branded "Library of Things" opened in 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark, as the "Borrow Station," created by artists to promote resource sharing beyond tools.^[5]^[13] This model proliferated globally, adapting precursor principles with digital inventory tools like cloud-based software to overcome earlier operational hurdles.^[11]

Modern Establishment and Expansion

The modern Library of Things concept, encompassing borrowing of diverse non-book items beyond specialized tools, originated in the late 2000s amid rising interest in sharing economies and sustainability. The first branded Library of Things, known as the "Borrow Station," was established in 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark, by a group of artists and activists aiming to facilitate community access to infrequently used goods.^[5] This initiative marked a shift from earlier tool-specific lending programs, expanding to household items, electronics, and recreational gear to reduce consumption and waste. In the early 2010s, the model gained international traction, with the term "Library of Things" popularized through a 2014 grassroots project in London, United Kingdom, inspired by the Toronto Tool Library's community-driven approach.^[15] The London Library of Things formally opened in 2015 following a pilot phase supported by crowdfunding and government grants, offering over 1,000 borrowable items and serving as a blueprint for urban sharing hubs.^[16] Concurrently, public libraries in North America began integrating broader "Things" collections; for instance, the Berkeley Tool Lending Library, established in 1979, influenced modern expansions by lending over 5,000 tools and evolving to include diverse equipment.^[17] Expansion accelerated in the 2020s, driven by environmental concerns and post-pandemic shifts toward local resource sharing. By 2024, over 80 Libraries of Things operated across 11 countries, ranging from community-led to institutionally supported models, with documented growth in item variety including electronics, musical instruments, and outdoor gear.^[18] In the United Kingdom alone, the network surpassed 100 locations by 2025, reflecting increased adoption for cost-saving and waste reduction, as one in ten consumers opted for renting over buying new goods.^[19]^[20] U.S. public libraries, such as Sacramento Public Library, reported expansions to multiple branches in 2023, with collections growing to include specialized items like wellness tools and passes to attractions, boosting circulation amid demands for accessible, non-traditional lending.^[21] This proliferation underscores causal links between economic pressures, circular economy principles, and institutional adaptations, though scalability varies by funding and community engagement.

Definition and Principles

Core Concept

A library of things operates as a communal lending system for non-book physical items, allowing members to borrow objects such as tools, appliances, and recreational gear on a short-term basis in exchange for a membership fee or deposit. This model extends the traditional library function of providing access to infrequently used resources, shifting from individual ownership to shared utilization to minimize redundancy and storage costs for items that see sporadic demand.^[22]^[23] The foundational principle emphasizes access over ownership, rooted in the recognition that many household goods remain idle for most of their lifespan, leading to inefficient capital allocation and excess consumption. By pooling these assets, libraries of things enable higher utilization rates—often estimated to increase from under 1% for privately owned items to significantly more through rotation—thereby reducing the need for duplicate purchases and associated production demands. This aligns with causal mechanisms of resource efficiency, where shared access curtails demand-driven manufacturing and waste generation without compromising practical availability.^[24]^[15] Empirical studies confirm that such systems integrate sharing economy dynamics with community-oriented operations, yielding social benefits like enhanced interpersonal trust and skill-sharing alongside economic savings for users, who avoid upfront costs for rarely needed items. However, sustained viability depends on robust maintenance protocols and inventory management to prevent degradation from overuse, as item durability directly influences long-term participation rates.^[25]^[26]

Operational Framework

Libraries of Things (LoTs) function through structured lending processes analogous to traditional libraries, adapted for physical objects rather than media. Borrowers typically register for membership, which may require a valid public library card, an application with liability waiver, or payment of an annual fee ranging from free to $50–$250 on a sliding scale to cover operational costs.^[1] Items are often reserved via online platforms or in-person, with checkout limited to available stock; high-demand objects may employ waitlists or restrictions on renewals to manage circulation.^[1] Lending periods vary by item type and operator—commonly 7 days for tools and equipment, with possible one-time renewals if no holds exist, though self-service kiosks in models like those in the UK allow same-day collection and return without fixed multi-day loans.^[27] ^[28] Item acquisition relies heavily on community donations, which constitute approximately 60% of inventory as of 2024, supplemented by bulk purchases of durable goods or refurbished items selected for longevity and repairability.^[1] Maintenance protocols include pre- and post-lending inspections for damage, with borrowers held responsible for repairs or replacement costs; operators often designate volunteer "fixers" for in-house repairs, weighing fix costs against recycling or disposal to sustain collections.^[1] Inventory management employs specialized software such as myTurn or Library OS for tracking, alongside physical labeling, storage mapping, and demand forecasting to minimize losses, which can exceed 10% annually without controls like borrow limits for new members.^[1] Operational sustainability hinges on diversified funding, including membership dues, grants, and donations, with late fees optional to avoid burdening low-income users but applied to deter overuse.^[1] Liability is mitigated through signed waivers shifting risk to borrowers for misuse, coupled with $1,000–$2,000 annual insurance premiums covering theft, damage, or injury; high-risk items like power tools may face additional restrictions or exclusions to manage insurability.^[1] Staffing blends paid roles (e.g., part-time directors handling administration) with volunteers for daily tasks like checkouts and repairs, using tools like RACI matrices to clarify responsibilities in volunteer-heavy or co-directed models.^[1] Standalone LoTs or those in kiosks emphasize self-service to reduce labor needs, while public library integrations leverage existing circulation systems for efficiency.^[23]

Types of Collections

Tools and Home Maintenance

Libraries of Things frequently feature dedicated collections of tools and equipment for home maintenance and do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, enabling patrons to borrow items needed for infrequent tasks such as repairs, renovations, and gardening without the expense of ownership.^[29] Common borrowed items in this category include power drills, saws, ladders, hammers, air compressors, caulking guns, circuit testers, and gardening implements like bulb planters and compost turners.^[30] These tools support practical needs such as plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, and lawn care, with lending periods typically ranging from days to weeks depending on the item and library policy.^[31] Prominent examples include the Denver Tool Library, which provides access to over 5,000 hand and power tools for home repair, renovation, woodworking, and metalworking through annual memberships starting at $150, often integrated with public library systems for broader reach.^[32] Similarly, the Columbus Tool Library maintains a warehouse inventory exceeding 5,000 implements, including drills and ladders, catering to community members for short-term use.^[33] In Milwaukee, a municipal tool-lending program operational since at least the mid-20th century lends equipment for gardening and home repairs, demonstrating longevity in public provision of such services.^[29] Borrowing tools in this category facilitates efficient resource utilization, as items are shared among users who require them sporadically, thereby minimizing individual storage demands and purchase costs while enhancing access for those without means to acquire specialized equipment.^[34] Patrons primarily utilize these loans for immediate, practical home maintenance needs, contributing to a sharing model that reduces material waste and supports self-sufficiency in household upkeep.^[35] Some libraries complement lending with workshops on safe tool usage, further promoting skill-building and injury prevention.^[17]

Electronics and Appliances

Electronics and appliances in libraries of things encompass devices for occasional personal or household use, enabling borrowers to access costly or specialized equipment without purchase.^[36] These items often include energy-monitoring tools, computing devices, and media players, which support temporary needs like testing household efficiency or digital experimentation.^[37] Common electronics include electricity usage meters such as the Kill A Watt, which quantifies energy consumption of plugged-in appliances to aid in cost-saving assessments.^[37] ^[38] Libraries like Kirkwood Public Library provide virtual reality headsets, tablets, and specialized cameras, requiring users to accept technology use agreements for handling and liability.^[39] Onondaga Free Library offers tech packs comprising Chromebook laptops and mobile hotspots with chargers, facilitating portable internet access for up to 21 days.^[40] Beaverton City Library loans 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/DVD players and karaoke machines for entertainment purposes.^[41] Appliances typically feature kitchen aids for infrequent cooking tasks, such as bread makers, ice cream makers, and pasta machines.^[42] ^[41] Memphis Public Libraries stocks items like bundt cake molds and loaf pan kits alongside powered devices, emphasizing borrowable alternatives to permanent ownership for seasonal or one-off uses.^[42] Borrowing periods vary, often 14 to 21 days without renewal, with replacement fees for unreturned or damaged goods to maintain collection viability.^[43] These offerings reduce individual storage demands and acquisition expenses, particularly for electronics prone to obsolescence.^[44]

Recreational and Outdoor Gear

Libraries of Things commonly include recreational and outdoor gear to enable temporary access to infrequently used equipment, reducing individual ownership costs and storage needs. Items such as bicycles, camping tents, sleeping bags, and hiking backpacks are frequently available for borrowing, allowing users to test hobbies without full purchase commitments.^[45]^[46] For instance, San Mateo County Libraries in California offer bicycles complete with helmets and locks for checkout periods, promoting cycling exploration while requiring reservations due to limited stock.^[47] Outdoor programs often feature specialized gear for nature-based activities, including snowshoes for winter excursions and kayaks or stand-up paddleboards for water sports in select locations.^[48]^[49] Bird-watching kits with binoculars and field guides, as well as adventure backpacks for identifying rocks or trees, support educational outdoor pursuits.^[45]^[17] Sports equipment like bocce sets and cross-country skis further diversifies offerings, catering to group recreational needs.^[50]^[51] These collections emphasize durability and maintenance protocols, with libraries like those affiliated with the Outdoors Empowered Network providing hiking boots, canteens, and other essentials to broaden community access to nature.^[46] Borrowing terms typically range from days to weeks, with fees sometimes applied for high-demand items to cover upkeep, ensuring sustainability of the lending model.^[15]^[52]

Arts, Crafts, and Educational Items

Arts and crafts items in libraries of things typically include specialized equipment for textile work, such as sewing machines, which enable users to create garments, quilts, or repairs without owning costly devices. The Sno-Isle Libraries, for example, lend two Elna sewing machines equipped with accessories and supported by instructional books and project guides.^[53] Similarly, the Allendale Township Library offers a White Singer sewing machine designed for straightforward mending, quilting, or basic crafts.^[54] Weaving looms and crochet kits further expand options for fiber arts, as provided by the Palatine Public Library District and Coppell Public Library.^[55]^[56] Visual arts tools, like art projectors for tracing designs or enlarging images, support drawing and painting projects, available at the Traverse Area District Library.^[57] Other craft implements, including bedazzlers for embellishing fabrics or general arts kits, appear in collections such as Montclair Public Library's, facilitating occasional creative endeavors without permanent investment.^[58] Educational items emphasize hands-on learning, with microscopes for microscopic examination of specimens offered by the Santa Barbara Public Library to promote at-home scientific inquiry.^[59] STEM-focused resources, such as Sphero robots for coding and robotics, LEGO sets for engineering play, and egg incubators for biology experiments, are lent by Worthen Library to foster skill-building in children and adults.^[60] These materials align with libraries' role in democratizing access to infrequently used educational aids, often checked out for short terms to encourage experimentation.^[17]

Other Specialized Categories

Libraries of things encompass specialized categories beyond core collections, such as musical instruments, health and wellness equipment, seed libraries, and museum passes, which address niche community interests and promote access to infrequently used items. These categories expand the sharing model by providing experiential or seasonal resources that individuals might otherwise purchase outright.^[2]^[1] Musical instruments form a prominent specialized category, enabling borrowing of items like ukuleles, guitars, banjos, and electric keyboards for personal or educational use without long-term ownership. The Ann Arbor District Library, for example, maintains a catalog of music tools including unique electronic instruments like the LSDJ Game Boy cartridge for chiptune composition.^[61] Similarly, world-music instruments and ukuleles have been integrated into collections to foster cultural exploration, as reported in library sharing initiatives dating to at least 2017.^[2] Health and wellness equipment represents another targeted area, often including devices for temporary medical or therapeutic needs. Light therapy lamps, used to combat seasonal affective disorder by simulating sunlight exposure, are lent by libraries such as Madison Public Library in Wisconsin and Bellingham Public Library in Washington, with programs active as of January 2024.^[62]^[63] Fitness trackers like Fitbits also appear in these collections to support short-term health monitoring.^[2] Seed libraries operate as a specialized lending system for plant propagation, where patrons borrow seed packets, grow crops, and return equivalent seeds to replenish stocks, promoting sustainable gardening and biodiversity. This model has been adopted in various libraries of things, aligning with community agriculture efforts documented in global surveys of 82 such libraries across 11 countries as of 2023.^[1] Museum passes, which grant free or discounted admission to cultural institutions, serve as an experiential category to encourage public engagement with local heritage sites. Garrett County Public Libraries in Maryland, for instance, include museum passes in their library of things inventory for borrowing.^[50] These passes typically require a library card and are limited to short loan periods to maximize access.^[50]

Organizations and Examples

Integration with Public Libraries

Public libraries have integrated Library of Things (LoT) programs by expanding their lending collections to include physical items such as tools, electronics, and recreational gear, leveraging existing infrastructure to promote resource sharing and community access.^[10] This integration allows patrons to borrow infrequently used items without purchase, aligning with libraries' mission to provide equitable access to resources.^[64] The origins of tool lending within public libraries trace back to at least 1943, when the Grosse Pointe Public Library in Michigan began operating what is considered one of the earliest such programs.^[13] A significant expansion occurred in the late 1970s, with the establishment of the Berkeley Tool Lending Library in 1979, initially targeted at low- and moderate-income residents and now open to all Berkeley residents, serving as a model for subsequent integrations.^[65] By offering over 5,000 tools alongside workshops, these programs demonstrated the feasibility of merging tool libraries with public library systems.^[17] In contemporary examples, the Sacramento Public Library launched its LoT initiative in 2015, enabling checkouts of items like sewing machines to broaden library utility.^[66] Similarly, the Normal Public Library maintains a collection focused on board games, technology toys, and outdoor equipment, illustrating diverse item categories integrated into municipal services.^[67] Co-location strategies have also emerged, where standalone LoT operations merge inventories and memberships with public libraries to streamline operations and reduce duplication.^[1] Operational integration often involves cataloging non-book items in library systems, with programs like those at Baltimore County Public Library emphasizing tools and materials for skill-building across age groups.^[68] Challenges include maintenance and inventory management, yet these programs enhance community engagement by hosting related workshops, such as DIY classes tied to borrowed items.^[69] As of 2024, the LoT movement, including public library integrations, encompasses over 80 operations across 11 countries, reflecting sustained growth in this hybrid model.^[18] Standalone sharing hubs, also known as independent libraries of things or community sharing centers, operate as autonomous facilities dedicated to lending non-book items such as tools, appliances, and recreational gear, distinct from public library systems. These hubs typically function as nonprofits, cooperatives, or social enterprises, relying on membership fees, daily rentals, and donations rather than government funding, which allows for greater flexibility in location and inventory but requires self-sustaining models. Founded to promote resource sharing in response to consumerism and waste, they emerged prominently in the 2010s, with early examples emphasizing urban reuse and skill-building workshops.^[1] A pioneering model is the Library of Things in London, established in 2014 by three founders as a pop-up sharing initiative that evolved into a network of physical hubs across the UK. By 2025, it spans 22 locations, serving nearly 40,000 members who borrow items like power tools, kitchen gadgets, and party supplies for low daily fees (e.g., £3.50 for garden shears or £12 for a pressure washer), resulting in over 70,400 annual loans that reduce household clutter and purchases. Hubs often use self-service kiosks or staffed spaces in high streets, community centers, or reuse facilities, with inventory sourced from donations and managed via online booking systems to track usage and maintenance.^[70]^[71]^[20] In North America, standalone examples include the Station North Tool Library in Baltimore, which lends over 3,000 tools including automotive and carpentry equipment to members for free or low-cost periods, fostering DIY projects in underserved neighborhoods since its inception as a community-driven effort. Similarly, the Asheville Tool Library in North Carolina operates independently with categories spanning gardening, plumbing, and bicycles, expanding through partnerships with local nonprofits while maintaining volunteer-led operations and starter kits for replication. These hubs differ from library-integrated programs by prioritizing expansive, specialized collections tailored to local needs, such as heavy machinery unsuitable for traditional library spaces, and often incorporating repair cafes or classes to build user skills.^[72]^[1] Operational challenges in standalone hubs include inventory turnover, with items requiring regular inspection for wear—e.g., power tools often need professional servicing—and funding secured via annual memberships (£40-£50 in UK models) or grants, as reliance on fees covers insurance and theft losses estimated at 5-10% annually in some cases. Growth has accelerated post-2020, with toolkits from organizations like Shareable providing templates for site selection, legal structures, and digital catalogs, enabling new hubs in places like Canada's Sharing Depot, the country's first dedicated library of things focusing on circular economy principles. Despite scalability, success depends on community engagement, with hubs reporting 20-50% repeat usage rates driven by word-of-mouth and events.^[73]^[1]^[74]

International Implementations

In the United Kingdom, the Library of Things initiative, launched in South London in 2014 as a grassroots experiment in sharing, has grown to operate 22 locations nationwide, serving nearly 40,000 members and facilitating over 70,400 borrows by September 2025.^[71] This model emphasizes renting tools, appliances, and recreational items at low fees, with collections including power tools, kitchen gadgets, and camping gear, often sourced from community donations.^[70] In Northern Ireland, the Belfast Tool Library, established as the region's first such facility, opened in 2023 at 116 Shankill Road, offering membership for £25 annually to access tools for DIY, gardening, and repairs, alongside workshops and a borrowing system modeled on traditional libraries.^[75]^[76] Germany hosts several prominent examples, beginning with Leila in Berlin, founded in 2014 as a "borrowing shop" that quickly gained popularity for lending household items like sewing machines and projectors, inspiring replicas in cities such as Leipzig, Heidelberg (LUULA), and Münster (LEIHOTHEK).^[77]^[78] In Bonn, Leihbar operates as a free or low-cost library of things focused on environmental protection through reduced consumption, stocking rarely used items like sports equipment and electronics.^[79] These German operations typically require membership fees ranging from €20 to €40 annually and emphasize community repair events to extend item lifespans.^[80] In Canada, tool libraries predate broader "libraries of things" expansions, with the Vancouver Tool Library established as the country's pioneering system, lending hand tools, power equipment, and safety gear to members since the early 2010s.^[81] The Toronto Tool Library, operational since 2012, combines tool loans with skill-building workshops, maintaining a collection of over 3,000 items including ladders, saws, and gardening supplies, available via annual memberships starting at CAD 80.^[82] Public integrations include Banff's Library of Things, launched to serve residents with bulky or infrequent-use items like kitchen appliances and outdoor gear, and the New Westminster Tool Library in British Columbia, which expanded to include DIY resources by 2020.^[83]^[84] Australia features decentralized implementations, such as the Sydney Library of Things in Lane Cove and North Sydney, where members borrow tools and household items through a donation-supported model promoting circular economy principles.^[85] The Gold Coast Tool Library, a nonprofit, stocks hundreds of items from drills to party supplies, with borrowing enabled by volunteer-led operations and fees scaled by item value.^[86] In Western Australia, Tools n Things Library in Perth, founded as the state's first, operates from Leederville since around 2020, lending via an online reservation system for tools, sewing machines, and camping equipment to foster community self-sufficiency.^[87] Italy's examples include Leila in Bologna, part of a network sharing electronics, tools, and travel accessories to minimize ownership; Oggettoteca in Florence, focusing on creative and household goods; and Zero in Palermo, Sicily's inaugural library of things emphasizing local reuse.^[88] These initiatives, often tied to urban sustainability projects, report low operational costs through volunteer management and public-private partnerships, though adoption remains concentrated in northern and central regions as of 2021.^[88] In Spain, libraries of things have emerged in urban areas, with tools and toys as top-borrowed categories, aligning with broader European trends toward shared access amid rising living costs.^[89]

Claimed Benefits

Individual and Community Advantages

Individuals obtain cost-effective access to specialized or infrequently used items, avoiding the financial burden of ownership and storage. For example, renting a carpet cleaner from the UK's Library of Things costs approximately £20 per day, compared to purchasing a new unit exceeding £100, enabling users to complete one-off tasks without long-term commitment.^[90] This model also allows trial of equipment prior to purchase, reducing the risk of acquiring ill-suited or underutilized goods, as noted in operational descriptions of community lending programs.^[91] Borrowers report convenience in sourcing tools for DIY projects, such as garden shears at £3.50 per use, which discourages impulse buys for sporadic needs.^[20] At the community level, libraries of things function as shared hubs that encourage interpersonal interactions and knowledge exchange, fostering social cohesion among participants. Users often collaborate on repairs or projects, building intergenerational connections and DIY skills, particularly benefiting homeowners and renters undertaking home improvements.^[92] These facilities lower barriers to resource access for lower-income groups by offering no- or low-cost loans of home and garden tools, promoting equitable participation in maintenance activities that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive.^[93] In aggregate, widespread borrowing—such as 10,065 loans in a single year at one UK site—supports collective resource efficiency, though direct causal links to broader social outcomes remain anecdotal without large-scale longitudinal studies.^[94]

Environmental and Economic Assertions

Proponents assert that libraries of things contribute to environmental sustainability by decreasing demand for new manufacturing, thereby reducing resource extraction, embedded carbon emissions, and waste generation. For instance, the Library of Things in London claims to divert 11 tonnes of waste from landfills and prevent 60 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually through item lending and associated repair activities, based on borrower surveys indicating increased recycling and repair behaviors among 60% of users.^[95] Their impact methodology further estimates that each borrow avoids 14 kg CO₂e in manufacturing emissions, derived from half of borrows preventing outright purchases and using average embedded carbon data from WRAP studies, though this excludes potential offsets like additional transport for pickups.^[96] Similarly, the Asikkala library in Finland attributes up to 5.9 tonnes CO₂e savings to 107 loans in its first year, assuming each replaces a new purchase, equivalent to roughly half an average Finnish individual's annual footprint, despite possible added driving emissions of 380 kg CO₂e.^[7] Economically, libraries of things are said to lower costs for individuals by substituting low-fee rentals for full purchases of infrequently used items, with the London Library of Things calculating an average £143 savings per borrow after accounting for £11.38 fees against a £297 replacement value and assuming 50% of borrows avert buying.^[96] This model is posited to foster broader efficiencies in a sharing economy, reducing household expenditures on durables and potentially curbing aggregate demand for raw materials like metals and timber.^[97] However, operational claims highlight reliance on grants, donations, and volunteers rather than self-sufficiency, as seen in Plymouth's Borrow Don't Buy initiative, which raised £11,109 via crowdfunding without achieving financial independence.^[95]

Empirical Evidence and Criticisms

Available Data on Usage and Impact

![Kill-a-Watt, an electricity-use measurement tool, available to borrow at Los Angeles Public Library branch.jpg][float-right] Available data on the usage and impact of libraries of things derives primarily from evaluations of specific initiatives, such as the Library of Things in the United Kingdom, with limited peer-reviewed studies across broader implementations. In 2023, the Library of Things network reported 6,982 unique borrowers who completed 10,065 loans of household items, reflecting growing engagement in community hubs integrated with public spaces.^[98] An independent evaluation of the Crystal Palace site from 2018 to 2019 documented 1,943 members, of whom 62% borrowed at least once, averaging two items per active user and totaling 2,418 loans across 70 categories of goods.^[99] Impact assessments focus on estimated cost savings, environmental avoidance, and behavioral shifts, though methodologies rely on assumptions like the proportion of loans preventing outright purchases. For instance, the 2023 network-wide analysis attributed £326,000 in savings on home maintenance to borrowers, calculated at £143 per loan based on half of loans averting full retail purchases averaging £297 per item.^[98]^[96] Environmentally, the same report estimated avoidance of 124 tonnes of waste and carbon emissions, derived from per-loan metrics of 14 kg CO2-equivalent prevented (from manufacturing displacement) and 3.5 kg e-waste diverted directly, plus indirect effects assuming 50% of users repair or recycle additional items.^[98]^[96] Earlier data from Crystal Palace indicated £3,855 in direct savings and potential CO2 reductions of 5.3 tonnes for select items like drills borrowed 55 times on average.^[99] Social impacts include enhanced community ties and skill-building, with 72% of surveyed users in the 2019 evaluation citing motivation from supporting local initiatives and 71% reporting positive borrowing experiences that fostered repair and reuse habits.^[99] However, these findings are constrained by data limitations, including low survey response rates (e.g., 15% for borrowing feedback), incomplete demographics, and reliance on self-reported perceptions rather than controlled causal analyses.^[99] Broader empirical evidence on tool-lending libraries remains sparse, with U.S.-based evaluations emphasizing operational sustainability through grants and donations but lacking standardized metrics for environmental or economic outcomes.^[100] Overall, while site-specific data suggests modest positive effects, the absence of large-scale, longitudinal studies tempers claims of systemic impact.

Operational and Incentive Challenges

Operational challenges in libraries of things primarily stem from the tangible nature of borrowed items, which undergo wear and tear unlike books in traditional libraries. Maintenance demands are high due to the frequent breakdown of donated, consumer-grade equipment, necessitating dedicated technicians or "fixers" to repair items, as reported by 21 out of 23 interviewed operators.^[101] Variable quality in donations, such as inconsistent tool brands, further complicates repairs by making parts sourcing and volunteer training labor-intensive.^[71] Damage assessment requires manual inspections during check-out and check-in, with unreported issues frustrating patrons and staff alike, as noted by 11 operators in the same study.^[101] Loss and theft pose additional hurdles, particularly for high-value items like power tools or electronics, which operators sometimes sell off to fund replacements after repeated disappearances.^[101] Inventory management is hindered by the non-uniformity of items, relying on manual labeling or barcodes that lead to inaccurate records across collections.^[101] Staffing these operations often depends on volunteers, who require specialized training in tool handling—distinct from bibliographic skills—exacerbating burnout and operational strain, with 14 operators highlighting volunteer reliance and training gaps.^[101] Space constraints for bulky equipment and the need for safety protocols, including liability waivers, add logistical complexity.^[35] Incentive challenges arise from user behaviors that undermine sustainability, such as inadequate maintenance of borrowed items, prompting libraries to impose cleaning fees to offset volunteer repair time.^[102] Patrons generally return tools due to policy enforcement like late fees and community norms valuing shared resources, but free-riding risks persist in sharing models where individuals benefit without contributing donations or upkeep.^[35]^[103] Volunteer-driven models face attrition from inconsistent participation and transient populations, limiting scalability without shifts to paid staff or self-service systems funded by memberships and rentals.^[104]^[71] Overall, these incentives demand ongoing marketing to sustain engagement, as broad efforts like flyers prove ineffective compared to targeted community outreach.^[104]

Skepticism of Broader Claims

While advocates of libraries of things assert transformative reductions in consumption and waste, rigorous empirical scrutiny reveals scant evidence for systemic impacts, with most studies limited to small-scale case analyses rather than controlled, longitudinal evaluations. For instance, a 2020 analysis of six UK libraries of things found that only 1% of surveyed users borrowed frequently, while 73% did so casually, indicating marginal displacement of personal ownership amid low overall adoption rates driven by cultural preferences for convenience and control.^[95] This aligns with broader sharing economy critiques, where access to shared goods often fails to curb total consumption due to rebound effects—cheaper or easier borrowing incentivizing more frequent use rather than abstinence from purchase.^[105] Financial unsustainability further tempers claims of scalable economic benefits, as none of the examined UK operations achieved self-sufficiency, relying instead on volunteers, subsidized spaces, and grants, which impose hidden public costs not offset by user fees or averted purchases.^[95] Operational hurdles, including item maintenance, hygiene concerns, and scheduling conflicts, exacerbate underutilization; for example, volunteer shortages restricted one library's hours to three days weekly, limiting accessibility and potential savings.^[95] Peer-reviewed reviews of sharing models highlight that such rebound dynamics can nullify environmental gains, as induced demand—for instance, borrowing tools leading to additional projects—offsets resource efficiencies, with evidence from peer-to-peer food sharing showing partial to full erosion of anticipated benefits.^[106] Moreover, broader assertions of fostering a "sharing culture" overlook selection biases in user demographics, typically eco-conscious urbanites whose behaviors may not generalize, and the absence of non-user data to verify net consumption reductions.^[107] Without randomized trials or economy-wide metrics, claims of averted e-waste or carbon emissions—such as self-reported tonnages from individual operations—remain anecdotal, vulnerable to overestimation via unverified assumptions in impact calculators.^[96] These limitations suggest libraries of things serve niche utility for infrequent needs but fall short of substantiating paradigm-shifting efficacy against entrenched ownership norms and logistical frictions.

Future Outlook

Recent Developments

In 2024, Shareable published a benchmark report documenting over 80 Libraries of Things (LoTs) operating across 11 countries, highlighting their growth from prior surveys and emphasizing adaptations in inventory management and community engagement.^[18] This followed a 2023 survey of 82 LoTs, which identified trends in item categorization and volunteer-driven operations as key to sustainability.^[1] United States public libraries have driven much of the recent expansion, with multiple systems launching or enhancing LoT collections in 2025. The Dartmouth Public Library introduced a new LoT assortment on June 30, 2025, featuring items for both children and adults to support temporary use and experimentation.^[108] Similarly, Fort Bend County Libraries announced a pilot LoT program for fall 2025, soliciting community donations of tools, gadgets, and recreational equipment to build the initial inventory.^[109] In Orange County, public libraries expanded access to diverse items like power tools, sewing machines, and musical instruments as of August 2025, integrating them into standard cardholder borrowing.^[110] Notable regional examples include the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Maine, which by August 2025 maintained over 1,500 specialized items serving approximately 22,600 residents and nearby communities, reflecting tailored growth in response to local demand.^[111] The Wauwatosa Public Library reported a 9.8% rise in overall visits from 2023 to 2024, alongside high per-resident checkout rates (17.86 items), with LoT expansions contributing to renewed interest in non-traditional lending.^[112] Internationally, initiatives like the Connect Highstar LoT opened in spring 2025, extending access to residents and the broader public through integrated community hubs.^[113] These developments coincide with operational upgrades, such as the Santa Clara County Library District's transition to a new checkout system in August-September 2025 to streamline LoT reservations.^[114]

Barriers to Scalability

Operational demands impose significant constraints on expanding Libraries of Things, as manual processes dominate the borrowing lifecycle, including cataloging, check-in, and check-out, which require substantial staff time and preclude self-service automation in most cases. A 2023 study of 23 librarians managing tangible collections found that 21 reported high-touch interactions as a core operational bottleneck, with reliance on volunteer labor exacerbating turnover and burnout while limiting hours to as few as 10-15 per week in some instances. This human dependency scales poorly, as expanding collections or user bases amplifies workload without proportional efficiency gains, often confining operations to single-item categories like tools or gear due to cognitive overload in curation. Maintenance and inventory challenges further erode viability at larger scales, with shared items experiencing accelerated degradation from frequent handling—such as power tools failing after 50-100 uses versus designed longevity for individual ownership—necessitating reactive repairs by undertrained staff or volunteers. The same study highlighted that 21 librarians struggled with upkeep, citing difficulties sourcing parts for non-modular designs and managing damage or losses, which can account for 10-20% annual attrition in collections without dedicated budgets. Theft risks for high-value items, like ladders valued at $200-300, compound this, requiring secure storage that consumes limited space, particularly in urban environments where condo-dwelling patrons lack personal storage alternatives. Funding and adoption barriers perpetuate niche status, as non-profit models depend on finite grants, memberships (typically $20-50 annually), and donations rather than recurring revenue streams, with no access to investor capital seen in commercial sharing platforms. A case study of Circle Centre Library of Things in Lund, Sweden, noted cultural entrenchment in ownership norms and volunteer constraints as key impediments to autonomy and growth, while tool libraries report policy shifts, such as bans on motorized equipment for safety, curtailing assortment breadth. Achieving critical user mass remains elusive without aggressive awareness campaigns, as 19 of the interviewed librarians observed persistent buy-not-borrow mindsets, stalling circulation rates below 20-30% of inventory in many cases and rendering expansion beyond local communities economically unfeasible.

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