Latest news with #LibraryofThings
Los Angeles Times
03-08-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Come for a book, leave with bongos — a Library of Things lets cardholders try, learn and create
Men and women looking to learn the craft of sewing this week congregated at Costa Mesa's Donald Dungan Library, where a 90-minute lesson could be extended by weeks for students interested in checking the machines out with their library cards. From power tools and sewing machines to lawn games and musical instruments, a vast catalog of items for temporary use is just one checkout away at the Orange County Public Libraries' Library of Things. Dungan is one of 29 branches in the network that lets cardholders get their hands on items that might expose them to new crafts and hobbies or fulfill a temporary need. OC Public Libraries' librarian Ericka Reeb said another goal of the collection is to reduce some of the waste and overconsumption that can occur in the retail market. 'When you purchase something, there's a whole chain — sometimes there's packaging, or maybe you use it, then it sits there taking up space in your home,' said Reeb, who also serves as branch manager for the University Park Library in Irvine. 'With the Library of Things, we buy one item and share it with the entire community.' When OC Public Libraries launched the endeavor last spring, the catalog included about 45 items, primarily outdoor games and musical instruments, available for checkout at three branches, including the Costa Mesa library. Today, with help from a $75,000 Sustainable California Libraries grant from the California State Library that last year allowed for expansion of the catalog and branch participation, the system offers more than 1,200 items in libraries countywide. Reeb, who oversees the catalog and purchases items for it, said one benefit of the program is that it allows cardholders to check out something they're interested in trying but not sure about buying. For example, a homeowner might be considering switching from a gas-powered range to an electric one, so could check out an induction cooktop kit to see how it cooks. Another library patron could get a star-gazing set with a telescope to watch a meteor shower, or a pickleball set to try the sport without paying for equipment. Other times, people may have grandkids visiting or a birthday party or meeting that requires a particular set, game or item not needed beyond the one-time use. Still others may have a weekend project that requires a tool, like a drill with an augur attachment for turning soil or a digital film scanner, that they'd otherwise have to buy and then keep indefinitely. 'We've looked for those items that were large — how often do you break out that cornhole set?' Reeb said Wednesday. 'This way you can just check it out. You don't have to store it, and you don't have to pay for it. It's free, just like a book.' While the Library of Things mirrors the traditional book-lending model, there are a few key differences. Firstly, it's only for cardholders 18 and older and requires users to sign a waiver. Library patrons are limited to two items at a time, and while an object can be checked out for 21 days, it cannot be renewed, due to a limited supply and high demand. A cardholder also cannot place a hold on an item and, in many cases, may have to pick it up and drop it off to its location of origin. In addition to growing the catalog significantly, last year's State Library grant also allowed OC Public Libraries to develop programming around the collection, including the sewing class at the Donald Dungan Library and talks and demonstrations on zero-waste or plant-based cooking, upcycling and living a plastic-free lifestyle. Wednesday's sewing machine tutorial — led by Jenny Nason and Wendy Hershman of the Orange Quilt Bee fabric store — saw Costa Mesa resident Vickie Do trying out a Brother 60-stitch computerized sewing machine to create a drawstring produce bag. 'I have never used a machine before. [But] now, with all the upcycling going on I want to empower my kids — I want to learn so I can show them,' said the 37-year-old mother of two, who regularly enrolls her kids in library classes and saw the adult sewing class. 'There's also a mom and teen class. So, if 'Mommy' can learn, maybe I can come here and they can learn with me,' she said. As use of the catalog deepens and expands, librarians are learning from patrons, through surveys and by word of mouth, the many different ways the Library of Things is improving and enriching lives. Some people simply want to play a cassette tape or CD, or digitize their old music into a modern format. Others may want to try their hand at playing the bongos. Reeb said she once ordered a lifelike robotic cat, intended as a companion for people with dementia, but heard of a family that used it to acclimate their young daughter to having a real cat in the house. It's all part of ensuring libraries meet constituents wherever they're at, according to Reeb. 'We're constantly trying to meet the needs of our community,' she said. 'And we love things like this, because people may say, 'I already buy my books, but I always wanted to try a metal detector.' And we have one for you.' For more, visit
The Advertiser
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Our approach to products is so destructive. In many respects we're devouring the future
My father Ian Kiernan used to say he'd like Australia to be the cleanest country on earth. That is my aspiration, too. It's certainly possible but first we need to change our mindset to encourage more Australians to adjust their spending and shopping habits - from "take, make, waste" to re-use and repair. This isn't just about the environment - it's about fairness. It's about extending the life of our products, saving money, and reducing pressure on households during a cost-of-living crunch. We need to guide, inspire and empower our communities to make more sustainable choices. Our approach to materials and products in the western world is so destructive. It's a linear approach where materials are extracted from the Earth, made into products, and eventually thrown away. In many respects we're devouring the future. In Australia, CSIRO reports that our circularity rate is sitting at 4 per cent, which is half the global average. That means that only 4 per cent of what we consume is not a virgin resource. We are also the world's biggest consumer of textiles per capita. Repairability is a key solution to reducing waste, but one that Australia continues to fall behind on. It ensures products can remain in use for as long as possible - keeping them out of landfill. Repair is an obvious "first responder" when it comes to waste prevention and having control over the products we buy and use, from computers, kettles and toasters to furniture, clothing and agricultural equipment. France is leading the way on repairability reform. In 2021, they introduced the Repairability Index to foster sustainable consumption, by making it easier for consumers to repair electronic devices rather than replace them. Products are scored from 0 to 10 based on how easy they are to repair. That's an effective way to promote and encourage repairability, as well as drive brands to redesign their products for a longer life. Wales is another superb example of a country which is excelling in circular economy achievement, thanks to simultaneous top-down and bottom-up action. Repair Cafes have taken off in Welsh communities, and the Welsh Benthyg Cymru - Library of Things - are prevalent around the country. In the same year that France introduced the index, the Australian Productivity Commission released a report on the "Right to Repair", identifying significant barriers to repair and recommending comprehensive reforms to enhance consumer choice, reduce e-waste, and promote competition in repair markets. Four years on and not one of the recommendations from the report have come to fruition. Clean Up Australia strongly advocates for the right to repair products and equipment, including access to parts, manuals, tools, software and extended warranties. It's part of living an independent and sustainable life - being able to mend, fix and extend the life of products we have. The Australian Repair Network has done a great job setting up an interactive map of community initiatives and repair cafes in Australia. But we still have a long way to go in this country. If we are to successfully transition to a more circular and sustainable future, with regulated waste, moving markets for recycled materials, and a flourishing culture of repair and reuse, an entire consciousness shift is needed. I am mindful that even the terminology circular economy may still not be known to the general public. On our 35th anniversary, I'd like to see increased community awareness to reduce wasteful consumerism and reliance on single-use, enhanced product design standards for longevity and repair, and continued investment in waste management infrastructure. To achieve this, collaboration across all levels of government, industry, brands, business, and the everyday Australian is required. It is encouraging that late last year, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the Albanese government's commitment to developing a general right to repair. With our Federal government sworn in and back to work, we're hoping to see that commitment enshrined in policy in the term to come. Australia can lead the way to develop new patterns of consumption that meet consumer expectations and reduce environmental impacts, while being affordable to the public and creating new business opportunities for brands and retailers. This year, more than 800,000 volunteers across the country pulled on their gloves and got to work removing litter from our precious environment. Our volunteers already put in the hard yards, but clean-ups alone cannot solve the mess we're in. It's time to begin fixing what's broken, before it becomes waste. Every Australian should feel inspired to have the cleanest country on earth. My father Ian Kiernan used to say he'd like Australia to be the cleanest country on earth. That is my aspiration, too. It's certainly possible but first we need to change our mindset to encourage more Australians to adjust their spending and shopping habits - from "take, make, waste" to re-use and repair. This isn't just about the environment - it's about fairness. It's about extending the life of our products, saving money, and reducing pressure on households during a cost-of-living crunch. We need to guide, inspire and empower our communities to make more sustainable choices. Our approach to materials and products in the western world is so destructive. It's a linear approach where materials are extracted from the Earth, made into products, and eventually thrown away. In many respects we're devouring the future. In Australia, CSIRO reports that our circularity rate is sitting at 4 per cent, which is half the global average. That means that only 4 per cent of what we consume is not a virgin resource. We are also the world's biggest consumer of textiles per capita. Repairability is a key solution to reducing waste, but one that Australia continues to fall behind on. It ensures products can remain in use for as long as possible - keeping them out of landfill. Repair is an obvious "first responder" when it comes to waste prevention and having control over the products we buy and use, from computers, kettles and toasters to furniture, clothing and agricultural equipment. France is leading the way on repairability reform. In 2021, they introduced the Repairability Index to foster sustainable consumption, by making it easier for consumers to repair electronic devices rather than replace them. Products are scored from 0 to 10 based on how easy they are to repair. That's an effective way to promote and encourage repairability, as well as drive brands to redesign their products for a longer life. Wales is another superb example of a country which is excelling in circular economy achievement, thanks to simultaneous top-down and bottom-up action. Repair Cafes have taken off in Welsh communities, and the Welsh Benthyg Cymru - Library of Things - are prevalent around the country. In the same year that France introduced the index, the Australian Productivity Commission released a report on the "Right to Repair", identifying significant barriers to repair and recommending comprehensive reforms to enhance consumer choice, reduce e-waste, and promote competition in repair markets. Four years on and not one of the recommendations from the report have come to fruition. Clean Up Australia strongly advocates for the right to repair products and equipment, including access to parts, manuals, tools, software and extended warranties. It's part of living an independent and sustainable life - being able to mend, fix and extend the life of products we have. The Australian Repair Network has done a great job setting up an interactive map of community initiatives and repair cafes in Australia. But we still have a long way to go in this country. If we are to successfully transition to a more circular and sustainable future, with regulated waste, moving markets for recycled materials, and a flourishing culture of repair and reuse, an entire consciousness shift is needed. I am mindful that even the terminology circular economy may still not be known to the general public. On our 35th anniversary, I'd like to see increased community awareness to reduce wasteful consumerism and reliance on single-use, enhanced product design standards for longevity and repair, and continued investment in waste management infrastructure. To achieve this, collaboration across all levels of government, industry, brands, business, and the everyday Australian is required. It is encouraging that late last year, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the Albanese government's commitment to developing a general right to repair. With our Federal government sworn in and back to work, we're hoping to see that commitment enshrined in policy in the term to come. Australia can lead the way to develop new patterns of consumption that meet consumer expectations and reduce environmental impacts, while being affordable to the public and creating new business opportunities for brands and retailers. This year, more than 800,000 volunteers across the country pulled on their gloves and got to work removing litter from our precious environment. Our volunteers already put in the hard yards, but clean-ups alone cannot solve the mess we're in. It's time to begin fixing what's broken, before it becomes waste. Every Australian should feel inspired to have the cleanest country on earth. My father Ian Kiernan used to say he'd like Australia to be the cleanest country on earth. That is my aspiration, too. It's certainly possible but first we need to change our mindset to encourage more Australians to adjust their spending and shopping habits - from "take, make, waste" to re-use and repair. This isn't just about the environment - it's about fairness. It's about extending the life of our products, saving money, and reducing pressure on households during a cost-of-living crunch. We need to guide, inspire and empower our communities to make more sustainable choices. Our approach to materials and products in the western world is so destructive. It's a linear approach where materials are extracted from the Earth, made into products, and eventually thrown away. In many respects we're devouring the future. In Australia, CSIRO reports that our circularity rate is sitting at 4 per cent, which is half the global average. That means that only 4 per cent of what we consume is not a virgin resource. We are also the world's biggest consumer of textiles per capita. Repairability is a key solution to reducing waste, but one that Australia continues to fall behind on. It ensures products can remain in use for as long as possible - keeping them out of landfill. Repair is an obvious "first responder" when it comes to waste prevention and having control over the products we buy and use, from computers, kettles and toasters to furniture, clothing and agricultural equipment. France is leading the way on repairability reform. In 2021, they introduced the Repairability Index to foster sustainable consumption, by making it easier for consumers to repair electronic devices rather than replace them. Products are scored from 0 to 10 based on how easy they are to repair. That's an effective way to promote and encourage repairability, as well as drive brands to redesign their products for a longer life. Wales is another superb example of a country which is excelling in circular economy achievement, thanks to simultaneous top-down and bottom-up action. Repair Cafes have taken off in Welsh communities, and the Welsh Benthyg Cymru - Library of Things - are prevalent around the country. In the same year that France introduced the index, the Australian Productivity Commission released a report on the "Right to Repair", identifying significant barriers to repair and recommending comprehensive reforms to enhance consumer choice, reduce e-waste, and promote competition in repair markets. Four years on and not one of the recommendations from the report have come to fruition. Clean Up Australia strongly advocates for the right to repair products and equipment, including access to parts, manuals, tools, software and extended warranties. It's part of living an independent and sustainable life - being able to mend, fix and extend the life of products we have. The Australian Repair Network has done a great job setting up an interactive map of community initiatives and repair cafes in Australia. But we still have a long way to go in this country. If we are to successfully transition to a more circular and sustainable future, with regulated waste, moving markets for recycled materials, and a flourishing culture of repair and reuse, an entire consciousness shift is needed. I am mindful that even the terminology circular economy may still not be known to the general public. On our 35th anniversary, I'd like to see increased community awareness to reduce wasteful consumerism and reliance on single-use, enhanced product design standards for longevity and repair, and continued investment in waste management infrastructure. To achieve this, collaboration across all levels of government, industry, brands, business, and the everyday Australian is required. It is encouraging that late last year, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the Albanese government's commitment to developing a general right to repair. With our Federal government sworn in and back to work, we're hoping to see that commitment enshrined in policy in the term to come. Australia can lead the way to develop new patterns of consumption that meet consumer expectations and reduce environmental impacts, while being affordable to the public and creating new business opportunities for brands and retailers. This year, more than 800,000 volunteers across the country pulled on their gloves and got to work removing litter from our precious environment. Our volunteers already put in the hard yards, but clean-ups alone cannot solve the mess we're in. It's time to begin fixing what's broken, before it becomes waste. Every Australian should feel inspired to have the cleanest country on earth. My father Ian Kiernan used to say he'd like Australia to be the cleanest country on earth. That is my aspiration, too. It's certainly possible but first we need to change our mindset to encourage more Australians to adjust their spending and shopping habits - from "take, make, waste" to re-use and repair. This isn't just about the environment - it's about fairness. It's about extending the life of our products, saving money, and reducing pressure on households during a cost-of-living crunch. We need to guide, inspire and empower our communities to make more sustainable choices. Our approach to materials and products in the western world is so destructive. It's a linear approach where materials are extracted from the Earth, made into products, and eventually thrown away. In many respects we're devouring the future. In Australia, CSIRO reports that our circularity rate is sitting at 4 per cent, which is half the global average. That means that only 4 per cent of what we consume is not a virgin resource. We are also the world's biggest consumer of textiles per capita. Repairability is a key solution to reducing waste, but one that Australia continues to fall behind on. It ensures products can remain in use for as long as possible - keeping them out of landfill. Repair is an obvious "first responder" when it comes to waste prevention and having control over the products we buy and use, from computers, kettles and toasters to furniture, clothing and agricultural equipment. France is leading the way on repairability reform. In 2021, they introduced the Repairability Index to foster sustainable consumption, by making it easier for consumers to repair electronic devices rather than replace them. Products are scored from 0 to 10 based on how easy they are to repair. That's an effective way to promote and encourage repairability, as well as drive brands to redesign their products for a longer life. Wales is another superb example of a country which is excelling in circular economy achievement, thanks to simultaneous top-down and bottom-up action. Repair Cafes have taken off in Welsh communities, and the Welsh Benthyg Cymru - Library of Things - are prevalent around the country. In the same year that France introduced the index, the Australian Productivity Commission released a report on the "Right to Repair", identifying significant barriers to repair and recommending comprehensive reforms to enhance consumer choice, reduce e-waste, and promote competition in repair markets. Four years on and not one of the recommendations from the report have come to fruition. Clean Up Australia strongly advocates for the right to repair products and equipment, including access to parts, manuals, tools, software and extended warranties. It's part of living an independent and sustainable life - being able to mend, fix and extend the life of products we have. The Australian Repair Network has done a great job setting up an interactive map of community initiatives and repair cafes in Australia. But we still have a long way to go in this country. If we are to successfully transition to a more circular and sustainable future, with regulated waste, moving markets for recycled materials, and a flourishing culture of repair and reuse, an entire consciousness shift is needed. I am mindful that even the terminology circular economy may still not be known to the general public. On our 35th anniversary, I'd like to see increased community awareness to reduce wasteful consumerism and reliance on single-use, enhanced product design standards for longevity and repair, and continued investment in waste management infrastructure. To achieve this, collaboration across all levels of government, industry, brands, business, and the everyday Australian is required. It is encouraging that late last year, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the Albanese government's commitment to developing a general right to repair. With our Federal government sworn in and back to work, we're hoping to see that commitment enshrined in policy in the term to come. Australia can lead the way to develop new patterns of consumption that meet consumer expectations and reduce environmental impacts, while being affordable to the public and creating new business opportunities for brands and retailers. This year, more than 800,000 volunteers across the country pulled on their gloves and got to work removing litter from our precious environment. Our volunteers already put in the hard yards, but clean-ups alone cannot solve the mess we're in. It's time to begin fixing what's broken, before it becomes waste. Every Australian should feel inspired to have the cleanest country on earth.
Hamilton Spectator
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Port Colborne library invites residents to ‘dream big' for unique borrowing contest
Have you ever want to try something out before deciding whether to buy it? Now just might be your chance. Port Colborne Public Library is encouraging residents to get creative this month as part of a community contest which could see their dream item added to the shelves. Running until May 30, the My Dream Borrow contest invites locals to submit ideas for unique items they'd like to borrow from the library. The winning suggestion will become part of the library's Library of Things collection, and the person behind it will get to borrow it first. 'There are many items people want to try once or use occasionally, but might not wants to buy,' said library chief executive officer Rachel Tkachuk. 'We're asking our community to dream big and tell us what they'd love to see added to our library.' The Library of Things is a growing collection of non-traditional items that can be borrowed free of charge for a one-week period. Current offerings include snowshoes, pickleball sets, gardening tool kits, light therapy lamps and colour-blind corrective glasses. Tkachuk said the contest is meant to keep the library responsive to community needs in a fun and imaginative way. 'Libraries are always trying to connect people with the resources they need, and this contest is a fun and creative way to stay responsive to what our community values and wants to explore,' she said. Some early suggestions have already come in, including a VCR, dehumidifier, metal detector and a dog agility kit. Ballots can be submitted at the library, city hall, Vale Health and Wellness Centre or by email at library@ .
BBC News
08-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
New Library of Things in Beeston offers help in 'tough times'
A new Library of Things will "reduce waste" and help people struggling for money, organisers will operate from Beeston Library in Nottinghamshire and open in the coming weeks, although an exact date has not yet been service will allow people to borrow household items, rather than books, such as carpet cleaners, sewing machines, and children's party Hartley, an organiser, said: "These are typically things that might be a bit more expensive, and then you only use them once or twice, and then they sit in your cupboard unused." She said times were tough at the moment and "this is just something that helps people save a bit of money and a bit of space in their homes". 'Excited at the potential' The project has received funding from the Beeston Civic Society and Broxtowe Borough Council to help with the purchase of items - totalling £1, money will be spent on purchasing supplies and items to stock the Hartley said there was a "growing movement" behind Libraries of Things nationwide. Similar projects have been set up across the wider East Cribb, the district manager at Inspire, which runs Beeston Library, said he was "excited at the potential"."It's not something we've done before, you know we do loan out non-book items, but they're on a one-off basis," he the service starts, people will use an app to book an item they wish to use. Library staff will then retrieve the maintenance of the items and the app will be operated and paid for by the volunteer groups, Mr Cribb said, and the library's role is to act as Stainer is the chairwoman of the volunteers and said she first had the idea for the Library of Things over one year she struggled to secure funding for the project until recently."The underlying motivation really comes from environmental issues, not being wasteful of stuff, not throwing stuff away," she said."It's going to be very exciting after this weekend, when we've bought all the stuff."
BBC News
28-01-2025
- General
- BBC News
Loughborough: New Library of Things to help residents save money
A charity has launched a new type of library - and there is not a book in shelves of The Library of Things are stocked with items that can be borrowed for a set time at low on Saturday, in Loughborough, the library will offer a variety of tools, DIY supplies, decorations and electronic Ward, co-director at Charnwood Eco Hub, said there were a range of items to borrow, including a lawnmower, sander, sewing machine, jet washer, candelabras and even a giant teapot, which was donated after a Mad Hatter-style tea party. The service aims to reduce individual purchases of rarely used goods and the amount of items going to landfill, while encouraging sharing in the community. The idea is to borrow from the Library of Things, based in the Towles Mill building, in Clarence Street, as you would in a traditional library with books. "We came up with this idea and established that there's a need for it in the area," said Ms Ward."We have things that people might not have room for at home or might not use very often, like gazebos and projectors - we've got all kinds of things."It helps reduce the amount of stuff that goes into landfill and the amount of equipment that people are just hoarding at home."Ms Ward adds that people sign up to become a member and use the service and pay a small fee for every item hub plans to host workshops to teach people how to use the borrowed equipment and help them learn the skills to do their own DIY at home to save charity hopes people will donate their unwanted items to the library, which will be open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
