Celebrating 1,000+ borrowers and a community built on sharing

Reaching 1,000 borrowers marks a proud milestone and a moment to reflect on what Library of Things (LoT) really represents. Hear from borrowers and discover how the Library of Things has reshaped their habits, homes and sense of community.

Over the past two years, 1,066 people have borrowed over 1,700  items from LoT, preventing almost 12 tonnes of waste from ending up in landfill. By borrowing instead of buying for DIY breakthroughs, long-delayed repairs, celebration events and new hobbies. What stood out the most isn’t just the variety of items going out the door, but the stories coming back in return.

Hear what borrowers have learnt, how their habits have shifted, and why sharing is a simple climate-friendly choice.

Back-breaking trimming made easy

One borrower lives near Kew Gardens where they work as a volunteer. This is what they said about their borrowing experience:

"Every year, at Kew Gardens in February, they cut the grasses right back. This is my cue to do my own grasses. Up until now I have been doing it with a pair of shears, which is back-breaking and time-consuming.

"This year, one of the horticultural staff at Kew, tipped me off about the Library of Things. This was £14 very well spent! Still tough on the back, but it took me a fraction of the time and did a much neater job. Picking up and collecting was very straightforward."

LoT saves the day for Age UK Richmond's Daytime Disco

Age UK Richmond used a sound system to help a tech trip for their Daytime Disco. They said:

"We’d like to thank Library of Things - a brilliant initiative based at Patch in Twickenham - for coming to the rescue when our sound system packed up at the start of our second Day Time Disco.

"The team were incredibly helpful and we were able to borrow the sound system for a couple of hours. Without it, the event wouldn’t have been the success it was.

"After that little unexpected hiccup, everyone danced for hours and had an amazing time! Thanks again to the Library of Things."

The pressure washer giving new life to the patio

One resident got their patio ready for spring and summer sun!

"Our patio is tiny but it badly needed a clean. I tried scrubbing with detergent but it didn’t make much difference. I realised that I needed a pressure washer and I was about to order one when I remembered seeing one in the LoT. So I created an account and booked it out and spent a very enjoyable day cleaning the patio and the garden furniture!"

Stepping up safely

"I have long-needed to change a landing light bulb which is otherwise unreachable. Tall ladders are so expensive so this borrow was great value for money. It enabled me to safely remove the old bulb and check the fitting, buy and replace.

"I felt secure and safe the whole time and the using videos via the QR code were invaluable for safe operation. Collection was easy and came with a handy foldable cart for easy movement. Love this concept."

Library of Things

Library of Things helps people save money and cut waste by affordably renting out useful Things. Since its launch, it helped our residents save over £245,000 and reuse more than 12 tonnes of electricals.

Sharing the Things we only use now and again cuts down on clutter, is more affordable, brings people together and is kinder to our planet.

Need a hedge trimmer, Rug Doctor, angle grinder or speaker and PA system? You can borrow over 30 common DIY and repair items at our Library of Things, rather than buying new. First-time borrowers can get 15% off with code: TKLOT15

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