The UK’s first Library of Things has just opened – and you can borrow power tools alongside books The people of Crystal Palace in South London are in luck as the UK’s first Library of Things has just […]

The people of Crystal Palace in South London are in luck as the UK’s first Library of Things has just opened in their neighbourhood.

After a crowdfunding campaign supported by nearly 300 people, Upper Norwood Library now has a collection of 50 useful items including an ice cream maker, carpet cleaner, lawn mower and a ukulele that local residents can borrow at affordable rates – alongside the library’s literary offering,.

The project is organised by social enterprise, Library of Things and membership starts at £1 for pay-as-you go and goes up to a varied £15 and £25 three-month memberships. To borrow stuff, prices range from £1 per day for hand tools to £18 for a gazebo, with discounts for regular borrowers.

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They’ll also be hosting practical skill-sharing sessions such as mending meet-ups, repair parties and DIY classes, and are looking for volunteers to become a ‘host’, ‘thing fixer’, ‘ambassador’ or ‘skill sharer’.

Crystal Palace is the first of 10 brilliant borrowing spots planned for London over the next three years but anyone around the country with a community space can get in touch with the Library of Things who will help them crowdfund their own local collection.