Libraries
Introduction
Libraries are wonderful organizations who not only offer books as many people already know, but other services including educational programs, free computer/internet access, free or cheap printing for those who don't have printers at home, they also offer audio, video, local historical, and packets of multi-media materials. Some even offer less-traditional things like sewing machines, access to 3D printers, expensive crafting/cutting equipment, and other common items which may be very useful once in a while, but impractical buys for many people.
Libraries are important for a number of reasons. Socially speaking, they help communities connect, helping even the most disadvantaged communities stronger, smarter, and more resilient. On a planetary level, they help reduce waste by allowing communities to share resources, instead of wasting them on private possessions like books and tools that might be used 1-3 times, but spend most of their lives in storage. This saves emissions, trees, and other resources! In fact, it has been calculated that the largest contributor to the carbon footprint of libraries is energy consumption, with approximately two thirds of emissions by libraries are caused by heating the premises and electricity consumption.
Library Economy
The video below talks about the history of libraries, the guiding principles, and how a library economy could revolutionize our world into one where instead of overproducing and hoarding, we focus on creating better quality, longer-lasting products that can be shared and repaired for everyone's benefit.
Library Fees
Some libraries are even dropping their late fees, and making other interesting changes. Some host voting sites, local clubs, and other events, so find your library and sign up for a card if you haven't already!
Be aware that some libraries (usually tool libraries it seems) require a donation or fee to help replace missing items or pay for repairs.
Please let us know of any we are missing!
Types of Libraries
Brick & Mortar
Most libraries are physical buildings that people can walk into. Some have special rooms which are used for meetings, clubs, classes, special events, and various community services. A growing number of libraries now also offer maker rooms or maker spaces which may include tools such as:
3D Printers
Bike Repair Stations
Cricket Cutters
Sewing Machines
Wood Working Benches
Use is probably free, but you may be required to take a class or earn a badge to use certain equipment
Portable Libraries
Book Bikes
Ice Trikes shows off a variety of their library book bike designs. These can be a great way to engage the public with a sample of available library books. They can help people access books or learn about the library who might not otherwise have had access.
These can be a nice zero-emissions way to help expand library access outside of an existing library, or to provide a small library to an isolated community with little access.
Library Buses
Traditional library buses produced emissions, but with advances in bus technology, electric and hydrogen buses are becoming available. Since buses are much bigger than cargo bikes, they can provide a much greater variety of reading materials to the public.
Library of Things
These loan out useful things like tools, glue guns, and power washers to frivolous things like disco balls, party decorations, games, and puzzles.
Things that people don't want the hassle of maintaining or storing, or that they think they might only use once or twice, then dispose of. A library of things is a great way to reduce a community's waste, reduce landfill use, save people space and money, while reducing our impact on the environment.
There is often a fee or donation to replace or repair items, sometimes the fee is per borrow, or a yearly or even lifetime fee.
The Library of Things lending out oddities from puzzles to a pressure washer | ITV News
This 1:53minute video talks about the Oxford Library of Things.
Resources
How to start a Library of Things this resources explains the benefits of starting such a library, as well as the steps that can help make such a program successful.
Movies
These are available as DVDs or blue ray in many libraries. You can also use certain apps to access digital copies of movies.
Kanopy "Stream thousands of films for free, thanks to the generous support of your public library or university."
Musical Libraries
These libraries allow you to borrow instruments and related materials instead of having to buy new items. There is one in Auckland, New Zealand, and another in Ontario, Canada, but please let us know of any others!
Freegal offers free music.
Nappy Libraries
Diapers or nappies are very expensive, especially if you are constantly buying the disposable kind. Check out our Nappies/Diapers page to find charities and libraries offering loaned nappy kits. Some of the charities offer items for rent, so that they can clean them and lend them out to future parents, but we have also listed rebates, coupons, and workshops which sometimes offer free kits as a gift for completing the program.
The Nappy Libraries are listed towards the bottom of the page because there are so few of them compared to other programs.
Seed Libraries
Seed libraries accept and share seeds within a community. These may include edible plants, wildflowers, and more. Seed libraries can be very small, and even fit on a counter, so check with your local library or plant charities to find out if they support one.
Seed libraries promote sharing and genetic conservation. They also help push back against the monopoly of major corporations which otherwise dictate what plants can be grown when no other seed sources are available.
If you are gardening, farming, or rewilding, you may want to check out our Seed page to find your local Seed Library, or a nearby seed or plant swap group.
Tools and equipment can be found at tool libraries or a library of things (just scroll down on this page).
You may want to look for your local composting programs for free or affordable nutrients or sign up for ChipDrop if you want free mulch, palm waste, or logs.
Tool Library
Tool libraries focus on offering tools including extension cords, hand tools, electric tools, mowers, pressure washers, shovels, measuring devices and more!
Rent All The Tools You Need From… A Tool Library!
2:21 minute video about tool libraries, and what you can do if you don't have one near you.
Traditional Library
Libraries are generally considered to be just for books, but many lend out music and other types of media. As times change they offer internet access for many around the world, and are now branching out to other things including tools, toys, and more. Go visit your local library or look them up online to see what they offer.
Many libraries host clubs, free education, art programs, tax and even voting services.
Directory: Libraries & Library Finders
International
Find Your Local Tool Lending Library "Explore our map to find your local Tool and Lending Libraries – and start sharing in a trusted location! Submit a Library!"
This is one of the best resources we've found but it doesn't have all the libraries, and the directory doesn't go into as much detail as some people would like, which is why we are starting our own directory. Some of the links no longer work, sometimes because the location is closed, but we have the new addresses for some of the locations lower down in the directory (check the location to see if we have it).
Libraries.org "An international and searchable directory of library web catalogs. Offers many different ways to search for libraries. Maintained by Marshall Breeding, who is an independent consultant, speaker, and author. He was also the Director for Innovative Technologies and Research, Vanderbilt University till May 2012."
Little Free Library Map & Search Tool "Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries.
Our vision is a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader. We believe all people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book to read is not limited by time, space, or privilege."World Cat Search for libraries by typing in a zip code or other location details here: https://www.worldcat.org/libraries, or find specific items with this page: https://www.worldcat.org/
Africa
Ghana
Accra Tool Library "anyone with a membership can sign-out tools for both their home and community initiatives. Whether you are hanging a picture or renovating a community park, the Accra Tool Library offers a range of equipment for your project as a low-cost, resource sharing and space-saving alternative to purchasing and owning tools. Non-profits and charities will also enjoy special membership rates. While there is a variety of workshops and youth programs to get training on using the tools."
Asia
China
Fujian Province
Zhenmu wood workshop(真木工坊) "查阅你想要借用的尚有库存的物品，可将其下单（无需支付），并在下单时的备注你要来借用的时间。" There appear to be several locations listed for this service.
Europe
Belgium / België / Les Pays-Bas
Tournevie de betaalbare en ecologische bibliotheek voor gereedschap in Brussel / la bibliothèque d’outillage accessible et écologique à Bruxelles / the affordable and ecological tool library in Brussels (site in Dutch/Nederlands, Francais/French and English)
Iceland / Ísland
Munasafn RVK Tool Library "works exactly like a “regular” library works for books, allowing those with a memberships to check out / borrow tools and things, helping our members to take home repairs, DIY projects, camping trips, sewing projects and other hobbies.
We are a project under the Hringrásarsetur Íslands NGO which aims to tackle Climate Change by helping implement a Circular and Wellbeing Economy in Iceland.
We believe we are all richer when we share, so join us!"
Slovakia / Slovensko
Knjižnica REČI "je neprofitna izposojevalnica najrazličnejših reči za prosti čas, ki deluje po vzoru klasične knjižnične izposoje.
Vse prevečkrat si kupujemo reči, ki nam zgolj po nekajkratni uporabi obležijo v predalu. Če bi si namesto nakupa ta predmet izposodili, bi prihranili denar in prostor, saj imamo ponavadi shranjevalnih površin vedno premalo. Poleg prihranka denarja in časa pa je korist souporabe predmetov tudi v tem, da s tem, ko si surovine izmenjujemo, tudi manj bremenimo okolje."
Spain / España
Fix Point Biblioteca de Herramientas Solidaria "Como una comunidad de ávidos manitas, deportistas al aire libre y personas con conciencia ambiental, la Biblioteca de herramientas FixPoint, quiere provocar un cambio en el sistema de sobreproducción e ineficiencia resultante, la contaminación ambiental y la desigualdad (social). La misión de FixPoint es transformar la mentalidad en la sociedad, en la que la propiedad se elige sobre el acceso. Queremos hacer esto inspirando a la población y organizaciones a abrir una Biblioteca FixPoint en su vecindario para que la gente tenga acceso a cosas que solo necesitan de vez en cuando,en lugar de posesión."
Sweden / Sverige
Returnkultur "Välkommen till Returkulturs delningspool! Klicka på utrustning för att se vad vi har på lager. Skapa ett konto om du vill bli medlem men läs detta först."
Switzerland / Suisse / Schweiz / Svizzera
La Manivelle "Une bibliothèque où tu empruntes des objets!"
UK
Library of Things Directory "Libraries of Things are popping up all over the UK. Sam Attard, manager of SHARE:UK, national body for Libraries of Things in England and Wales, gives a rundown of current projects in the UK. "
Local Library Services "Your local library provides many services such as book loans, CD rental and internet access." "Available in England and Wales only" Enter your zip code to find your closest library(ies), and use the post code finder if unsure.
United Kingdom Higher Education "A directory of the libraries affiliated with the Higher Educational institutions in the United Kingdom."
Russell Group "Directory of the Russell Group libraries in the United Kingdom. "The Russell Group's 24 members are world-class, research-intensive universities. They are unique institutions, each with their own history and ethos, but they share some distinguishing characteristics." (From the Russell Group website.)"
Sharebee "makes sharing easy – safely connecting people who want to lend with people who want to borrow. Protecting stuff that is lent, tracking whose got your stuff, saving time, space and money. And every time you lend or borrow you'll be saving some C02. Lets stop defaulting to buying things we only use once or twice and start sharing instead."
Zero Waste North West: Zero Waste Nappy Library "We’ve rebuilt our Nappy kits and they are once again available for lending.
Get in touch if you’re interested in one of our beautiful Newborn or Birth to Potty kits.
You can now try cloth nappies BEFORE deciding to start your own stash AND GET SUPPORT along the way!
Would you like to be a Cloth Nappy Librarian?! Please do get in touch if you would like to join our team."
Northern Ireland
Belfast Tool Library "is the first tool lending library in Northern Ireland."
North America
Canada
Tool Lending Libraries in Canada "Why buy when you can share? Non-profit tool lending libraries provide an alternative to individual purchases with a pool of tools that can be borrowed when needed. They are popping up all across the country. Visit one near you!"
Alberta
Edmonton Tool Library "We have hundreds of tools in our inventory just waiting to be rented. You can rent up to 8 tools per week on an individual membership."
British Colombia
The Food Hub Tool Library "offers a wide variety of culinary tools to help with food self-sufficiency in the garden and kitchen. Tools are available to all residents of Kaslo and RDCK area D (Ainsworth to Gerrard)."
The Shed Tool Library Co-op "We are a cooperative tool lending library in the Comox Valley. Join us as a member, volunteer or community partner!"
Vancouver Tool Library "(VTL) is a cooperative tool lending library located at 3448 Commercial Street, Vancouver BC. We loan a wide variety of tools for home repair, gardening, and bicycle maintenance. We also offer affordable workshops on tool related skills and projects."
Manitoba
ArtsJunktion Tool Lending Library "Borrow dozens of arts, crafts, and hand tools to use in your home, workplace, and studio. By joining our Tool Lending Library, you will have access to every-day and specialty tools including drills, saws, sewing machines, typewriters and more coming soon! (Button-makers, embroidery machines and kiln-access, oh my!)
And it's so simple: purchase a membership and start borrowing tools!"
Newfoundland
St John's Tool Library "Whether you're a veteran DIYer or thinking about getting started on your very first project, the St. John's Tool Library is here to help. We are a non-profit tool lending service for people who want to create, make, build, and grow. Your membership gives you access to a broad inventory of equipment - from lawn mowers to power drills, from stud finders to table saws, from gardening shovels to soldering irons - we've got you covered. "
Nova Scotia
Halifax Tool Library "is a non profit society that provides borrowing access to an inventory of over 2000 tools and community workshop space to our members."
New Brunswick
Saint John Tool Library & DIY Centre "first tool library and DIY workshop to help, teach, and share the tools and techniques to maintain a property and grow our community."
Ontario
Guelph Tool Library "Annual Memberships are $60 and earn you access to more than 1000 tools!"
Hamilton Tool Library "We’ve got well over 12,000 tools, and have just about everything you’d need."
Joe’s M.I.L.L. "Kingston’s Musical Instrument Lending Library inspired by and in memoriam of Joe Chithalen, Joe’s M.I.L.L. is a proud not-for-profit organization and registered charity that happily gives the gift of music. Read more"
Kitchener-Waterloo Library of Things "KWLOT, Kitchener-Waterloo Library of Things is a space where you can borrow infrequently used items such as tools, garden equipment, kitchen appliances or camping gear."
London Tool Library Their website appears to be down, but you can click here for their Twitter page.
The Sharing Depot "borrow camping gear, sports equipment, board games, toys & MORE for the price of an annual membership ($55/year)." They also offer "children's toys and party supplies. Avoid the price tag and the clutter - borrow, don't buy."
Thing Library "was launched in London, Ontario. The library includes a variety of things, such as gardening tools, kitchen tools, home renovation tools, and more!"
Toronto Tool Library "Access a wide variety of tools for home renovations, gardening and lawn maintenance, repairs, DIY projects and more! Annual memberships start at $55/year. Start borrowing today!"
Peterborough Tool Library "Over 600 different tools! click here to browse the tools in our inventory"
3:27 minute video about the Toronto Tool Library's Trades Training Program
Prince Edward Island
Saskatchewan
Saskatoon Library of Things "We are a volunteer run library filled with tools, kitchen gadgets, board games, camping accessories and more! All of our items have been donated and are available for you to borrow for free when you sign up for a membership."
Quebec
Bibliothèque d'outils La Remise (Montreal) "est une coopérative de solidarité à but non lucratif qui propose des outils et objets d’usage commun (cuisine, menuiserie, artisanat, mécanique, jardinage, électricité, etc.) qui sont mis à la disposition de ses membres sous forme de prêts.
La Remise offre aussi des espaces de travail dotés de nombreux outils spécialisés pour le travail du bois, pour de la couture ou pour de la mécanique vélo. Ainsi les membres de La Remise ont la possibilité de venir réaliser leur projets sur place, en étant accompagné et guidé par des bénévoles expérimenté.e.s.
Les membres y développent leurs savoirs faire et leurs habiletés manuelles en plus d’y faire des rencontres intergénérationnelles et interculturelles.
Il est aussi possible de suivre des formations ou des ateliers portant sur divers thèmes.
La Remise renforce les liens sociaux, lutte contre le gaspillage des ressources et crée de la richesse pour la communauté."Ottawa Tool Library "Become a member to gain access to our entire inventory of over 2,000 hand and power tools, expert advice, discounts on workshops and more. Plus discounts for students and memberships for households and small organizations, too!"
Mexico
La Ferroteca: Un Lugar para Construir "Aprende, Repara, Construye y Mejora tu vida en la Ferroteca: la Biblioteca de Herramientas"
USA
African Libraries "Libraries with Major Africana collections in North America"
Directory of Academic Law Libraries in the United States "This directory lists the libraries associated with law schools in the United States View a tabulation of the Automation systems used by academic law libraries, a graph of automation systems, or a list of the libraries."
Public Libraries in the United States "includes all 16,887 public libraries in the United States"
United States Presidential Libraries "The National Archives and Records Administration operates 15 Presidential Libraries."
Alaska
Hawaii
Honolulu
HNL Tool Library "We stock a wide range of tools for renters, homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, makers and craftspeople of all sorts. The online inventory is updated in real time so you can view what’s in stock or make a reservation."
Illinois
Chicago Tool Library "A community library for tools instead of books!" "We have over 2,500 tools you can borrow – from table saws to sewing machines to camping tents. "
NeighborSpace Tool Lending Library "The NeighborSpace tool lending library offers a limited range of gardening and carpentry tools for special events, construction projects, and volunteer workdays in NeighborSpace-protected sites only."
Iowa
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity Tool Lending Library "The Tool Lending Library provides an opportunity for all homeowners to borrow the tools necessary to repair or beautify their own homes.
Located at the East Euclid ReStore, the Tool Lending Library helps ensure that everyone can have a decent place to live."
New York
The Tool Library in Buffalo "We provide communities the tools they need to create the change they want."
Maine
Maine Tool Library Portland "While the library works on improving volunteer availability, please check to make sure there is someone working before coming to the library."
Massachusetts
These first links will show you an interactive map of tool libraries in the state as well as mending/repair type events or resources.
Municipal Reuse & Repair Programs "Reuse and repair extend the useful lives of many items, conserve natural resources, reduce waste disposal, and save people and communities money." swap shops,
The following are individual tool and thing libraries:
Belmont Public Library: The Library of Things "is a growing collection of non-traditional items that can be checked out the same way as ordinary library media. Current items available for checkout include e-readers, gaming and entertainment consoles, and digital conversion hardware. Be on the lookout for new additions coming soon!"
Cambridge Public Library offers technology.
Cary Library "The Library of Things is a collection of non-traditional library items that complement Cary Library’s mission to ignite curiosity, facilitate lifelong learning, and connect our community. The purpose of the Library of Things is to provide diverse opportunities for learning and engagement.
Patrons who borrow a Thing agree to abide by Cary Library’s Library of Things lending guidelines below. Patrons of any Minuteman Library can request a Library of Things item, but items must be picked up and returned in Lexington. Things circulate for 2 weeks ($1.00/day overdue)."Chelmsford Public Library offers many things including health and wellness items, games, musical instruments, and electronics.
Coolidge Corner Library in Brookline
Falmouth Public Library has lots of games, as well as practical items including a sewing machine and metal detector.
Farmingham Public Library: Library of Things "is a collec tion of items such as games, tools, consumer electronics and more that you can check out with your library card!"
Needham Free Public Library: Library of Things "The Library of Things is a collection of nontraditional items available for the Needham community to borrow such as tools, technology, and other fun equipment. Items may be checked out and returned to the Needham Free Public Library Circulation Desk on the first floor."
Newton Free Library "lends non-traditional items, too! We have tools, puzzles, games, laptops and much more. You can try before you buy, discover a new hobby or borrow a tool you’ll only need to use once."
Rockport Public Library of Things "The library offers much more than traditional books, DVDs, and music. Check out our Library of Things collections below – and let us know if you have a non-traditional interest we can explore."
Robbins Library of Things "includes gadgets, tools, and games. This collection supports lifelong learning, personal fulfillment, and enjoyment."
Salem Public Library offers items from games and camping equipment to binoculars and star-gazing equipment.
Sharon Public Library of Things "Unusual Items to Borrow" Items include a braille kit, ASL kid, bike repair kit, musical instruments, and more.
Smith College: Tool Checkout "Do you need a tool, book, or crafting supplies for your project? Check out our new library that includes all supplies needed for sewing, wood working, basic prototyping, and more. We encourage you to borrow our tools instead of buying new ones! To use the DTI tool library, you will need to register an account, providing your address so that we can mail items to your residence if needed."
Watertown Free Public Library: The Library of Things "is WFPL's collection of non-traditional materials. You can borrow a stand mixer, a metal detector, even a circular saw! Take our Things home to start projects you've been meaning to tackle, test out equipment before you invest in your own, or throw an outdoor movie viewing party."
Wellesley Free Library "The Library of Things is the WFL’s newest collection of non-traditional library items, such as cake pans, a digital microscope, and a toolkit. This collection is ever-expanding; see below for the current Things available to you with your library card!"
Worcester Public Library: Library of Things "WPL is all about learning and expanding personal knowledge in a sustainable, affordable way. This collection offers entrepreneurs, crafty types, and the curious among us a variety of opportunities to explore new things! Patrons are encouraged to try out our things using their Worcester Public Library card for a lending period of two weeks.
Before borrowing an item, please make sure to read the Library of Things Agreement."
There has also been a tool lending library proposed in Melrose.
Missouri
Springfield Tool Library "the only program of its kind in the state, lends out home repair and gardening tools to Springfield residents and community groups. Membership is currently $20. You can borrow up to 5 tools at a time and keep them for one week. We also offer Tool Library-related events throughout the year such as a quarterly Fix-it Fair.
The Springfield Tool Library is located at the O’Reilly Center for Hope at 1518 E. Dale. The Tool Library is open by appointment only during our off-season (November-March). Make an appointment by emailing toollibrary@cpozarks.org or calling 417-888-2020. When you arrive at the O’Reilly Center for Hope for an appointment, please stop by the front desk to check in!
Joining the Springfield Tool Library is simple, and your membership fee helps purchase, maintain, and insure our tools. Are you planning to do-it-yourself for a long time and save money? If so, consider joining the Springfield Tool Library as a lifetime member for only $200. Additionally, gift certificates to the Springfield Tool Library make a great gift!"
Oregon
Kitchen Share "is a network of kitchen tool libraries dedicated to promoting sustainability, equity, and self-sufficiency for residents of Portland, Oregon. Kitchen Share builds community through the sharing of equipment, skills, traditions, and food."
SE Portland Tool Library "Like the public library... but for tools and seeds." "SEPTL is a free community resource that provides home and business owners, and tenants, with hand and power tools they need to perform simple maintenance, tend to yards and gardens, and build awesome projects – while along the way meeting and sharing with neighbors."
Toolbox Project " is a volunteer-driven tool-lending library open to residents of Lane County, Oregon. We share tools, skills, and knowledge to empower people and build community."
Waste Less Tools & Repair Marion County
Puerto Rico
Agroteca del Departamento de la Comida "es una biblioteca de recursos equipada con tres colecciones : semillas, materiales educativos y herramientas agrícolas. Está abierta a todxs lxs agricultorxs que quieran ser miembrxs y diseñada para servir como un modelo replicable en otras comunidades, pueblos y regiones de Borikén.
La Agroteca es una de las tres divisiones de El Departamento de la Comida, un colectivo no gubernamental sin fines de lucro que apoyar proyectos alimentarios y agrícolas sostenibles y resilientes en Puerto Rico."
Texas
Houston Tool Bank "serves community-based organizations by providing tools, equipment & expertise to empower their most ambitious goals. Since opening our doors in late 2014, the ToolBank has consistently increased our member organizations’ capacity to make a difference. When we put high-quality tools in the hands of volunteers, our members are able to do more for our community – whether through home repair, days of service or charitable events. Over the past seven years, the Houston ToolBank has equipped 240,000 volunteers to complete over 20,000 projects in and around Houston."
Mercer’s Tool Library “Anyone with a Harris County Public Library card in good standing can check out tools from the Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library at Mercer ... You can borrow a total of 40 tools, up to 20 small tools and 20 large ones."
Wells Branch Library: Library of Things "Explore all the surprising things available for you to check-out with your library card! Browse the selections below and place a reserve on any item by logging in to your library account.
Check-out periods and restrictions vary by type of item. See our services page for details. Available for adult card holders only."
Virginia
Cville Tool Library "Empowering our community with tools"
Oceana
Australia
New South Wales
Inner West Tool Library "... is here to provide the residents of the Inner West of Sydney and surrounds with access to a wide variety of equipment that you'd much rather borrow than buy. Yes we have the tools, but with so much more - we're a 'library of things'. Think drills, tents, sewing machines, hedge trimmers, marquees, food dehydrators and pressure washers. We want to reduce waste and increase opportunity for our members.
We're continually building our stock so we can give our members the value they deserve."Library of Stuff Mullumbimby " is a community library filled with good quality items that are shared amongst its members. It provides affordable access to items for the Byron Shire community, including individuals, families and Not For Profit organisations including School classes. Whenever possible when we purchase new products we do so locally, supporting and promoting local businesses who stock quality products."
The Sydney Library of Things "is a not-for-profit service that provides the local community with access to a collection of extremely useful but only occasionally used items that can be loaned out for a short period of time.
Watch our short video to learn more about us!"Toolo Blue Mountains Tool Library "Have access to everything for about $3 per week. Why buy stuff when you can borrow it? Join Toolo today."
Queensland
Brisbane Tool Library "Our tool library allows people to borrow hand and power tools, and other equipment, such as camping and sport gear. Based on a circular economy, we are building a more sustainable society, reducing consumption and waste going to landfill."
Victoria
Brunswick Tool Library "BTL is a volunteer-led non-profit initiative that provides the tools and education needed to repair and care for your home and belongings. We believe everyone deserves the right to build and repair the things they own - not just those who can afford the tools."
New Zealand
Auckland
Beautification Trust Community Tool Library "Projects like waste clean-ups, native planting or community gardens are a great way to make a difference in your community. But the tools you need can be expensive, especially if you have limited funds or only use them once in a while.
With our new Community Tool Library, community groups can borrow tools free of charge for environmental or beautification projects in South or East Auckland."The Musical Electronics Library (MEL) "is a lending library of handmade electronic musical devices in Auckland, New Zealand. MEL is located at the Audio Foundation, in the sub-basement of the Parisian Tie Factory, 4 Poynton Terrace, Auckland 1010. MEL is open on Saturdays from 12-4pm, when a volunteer will be present to assist patrons and issue items from the collection. Items can be returned to Audio Foundation staff during gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12-4pm."
Newtown Tool Library "is a lending library for tools of all sorts. We have a growing collection of second hand and new tools (donations welcome) available for lending to members of the Tool Library. The Tool Library is a project of the Newtown Community & Cultural Centre, is run by volunteers and is located at a custom space at 9 Constable Street."
How can libraries improve?
Carbon Footprint
Since most of a library's carbon footprint comes from their heating and electrical use, it is important that the municipalities who oversee these institutions ensure that they are powered renewably. Passive heating, cooling, and lighting can be built into the design of new libraries, solar panels can be installed, or services should be switched from fossil fuel generated to renewably sourced.
Community Engagement
Some libraries have switched away from the late book fines mode. This tends to punish and keep away poorer community members, while having little influence on the richer members who can afford fees.
Not only can eliminating fees reduce inequality, but libraries often find they can recoup their costs through other programs. By contrast, fees schemes tend to result in less books and patrons returning, along with the high costs of trying to track materials back down. An analysis by the city of San Diego calculated that they had wasted $1 million to collect $675,000 in library fees each year!
After the American Library Association passed a resolution to end their fee program, it was found that "Lifting fines has had a surprising dual effect: More patrons are returning to the library, with their late materials in hand. Chicago saw a 240% increase in return of materials within three weeks of implementing its fine-free policy last month. The library system also had 400 more card renewals compared with that time last year."- https://www.npr.org/2019/11/30/781374759/we-wanted-our-patrons-back-public-libraries-scrap-late-fines-to-alleviate-inequi
More Resources
Apps
ChipDrop "We help gardeners get free wood chip mulch deliveries.
We also help arborists find cheap, local drop sites for their wood chips and logs."The Lend Engine "is a web based admin system for running Tool Libraries. Use it to track your tools, members, memberships, loans, payments, fees and costs."
LibbyApp "With Libby, you can borrow free ebooks, digital audiobooks, and magazines from your library. All you need is a library card."
MyTurn "Organizations—from grassroot nonprofits to multinationals—use myTurn's full-featured platform to rapidly implement new, more circular, business models that maximize product utilization, reduce waste, or generate revenue by offering product rental, sharing, and subscription services."
OverDrive "Ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and more are available for free through your local library or school"
Sharebee (UK) "makes sharing easy – safely connecting people who want to lend with people who want to borrow. Protecting stuff that is lent, tracking whose got your stuff, saving time, space and money. And every time you lend or borrow you'll be saving some C02. Lets stop defaulting to buying things we only use once or twice and start sharing instead."
Finnish/Suomen kielellä
Vihreä kirjasto – ympäristötyön edistäminen kirjastoissa "Täältä löydät tietoa Yleisten kirjastojen ympäristötietoisuus 2020-luvulle -hankkeesta sekä siinä kehitettyjä ympäristötyökaluja ja koulutusmateriaaleja. Hanke ylläpitää sivuja tällä hetkellä.
Samalla sivustosta muodostetaan alustaa, jossa jaetaan koko kirjastokentän ympäristötietoa sekä edistetään ympäristötyötä kirjastoissa.
Otamme erittäin mielellämme kirjastoilta vastaan ympäristöaiheisia artikkeleita ja kuvia sekä materiaalia Työkalut -osioon."
Fight Against Book Bans
North America
USA
The Authors Guild: Stop Book Bans Toolkit "Join us to stop book banning."
Banned & Challenged Book by The American Library Association (ALA) This site offers ways you can get involved, stay informed, and support this issue. They also recommend contacting congress and offer the opportunity to join ALA’s Advocacy List.
The Freedom to Read "is a non-profit legal and educational organization affiliated with the American Library Association. FTRF protects and defends the First Amendment to the Constitution and supports the right of libraries to collect - and individuals to access - information."
National Coalition Against Censorship: Book Challenge Resource Center "The books taught in schools, and available in school libraries, should be chosen by professionals based on criteria that are as objective as possible, including the books’ educational, pedagogical, literary and artistic values. When books are kept from students, whether they are removed from classroom teaching, taken off library shelves (or put into restricted circulation) or explicitly banned from schools, because of the personal or political beliefs of any person or group, rather than because of professional educational reasoning, that’s censorship.
Policies already exist in most districts to allow individual concerned parents to influence what their own children read. However, we have seen those policies ignored and repeatedly violated as books are removed without proper review based on the personal opinions of particular groups of people. We have also seen increasing reports of threats to the livelihoods and safety of librarians, teachers, school administrators and school board officials who do not accede to the demands of these would-be censors. No individual or group has the right to impose their beliefs on others. School officials, as government actors, have a First Amendment responsibility to ensure that no particular viewpoint or belief is allowed to dictate what students can learn and read.
This page contains resources to help you advocate for yourself, for your children, for your books, for your schools, in your own communities. Resources will be added and updated as they become available." Via their site you can report censoring, read censored materials, and more.
Organizations
North America
USA
The Freedom to Read "is a non-profit legal and educational organization affiliated with the American Library Association. FTRF protects and defends the First Amendment to the Constitution and supports the right of libraries to collect - and individuals to access - information."
Grants & Funding
Europe
UK
National award schemes There are a number of key organisations offering grants and advice to community based projects e.g.
Big Lottery Fund "Groups can apply to us for funding under £20,000, or over £20,001, depending on what they want to do."
Heritage Fund "We fund projects of all sizes that connect people and communities to the UK’s heritage."
North America
USA
Massachusetts
MassDEP Funding "The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) encourages your town or city to implement local reuse and repair programs, and offers financial assistance in support of them..."