You might be surprised how much is free or extremely low cost at your local public library. Reading posts about Libraries of Things on Shareable is a great start and there are other resources online including the ShareStarter.org site, as well as existing Libraries of Things to learn from. You wouldn’t have to buy, repair or store infrequently used items. Any gotchas people should watch out for when opening a Library of Things? The model that seems to be the most sustainable and popular is the one with monthly or yearly subscription fee, and then having additional fees for more expensive or popular items. There are hundreds of them. If you’re starting as a nonprofit, you can often find discounted or pro-bono legal and other professional services. Insider spoke to former library employees who shared some of the worst things people do in libraries. Rather than a 20-page formal business plan that almost no one will look at, we recommend using the Social Lean Canvas or one of the other business canvas templates that have come out of the lean business movement. Parth and one of the first library members. For these types of items, we strongly suggest purchasing the most durable and repairable items you can afford. Co-authors: 17. It’s not as difficult or as scary as you might think. These are really similar skills needed to start any organization or business. A Library of Things enables communities to share items they only need occasionally, such as party supplies and games. Follow Cat on Twitter: @CatJohnson. Pay one membership or subscription fee, and you can borrow everything from camping gear, to a popcorn maker—how awesome is that? The Things Events. Don’t let one or a few missing skillsets stop you from getting going. Offering membership as a perk can both help you meet your funding goal and start building your membership before you open. skills, and also skills to maintain and repair the items in your Library of Things can be exceedingly useful. What kind of space works the best for a library of things, and what requirements are there of the space, in regards to infrastructure? The Sharing Depot in Toronto is Canada's first Library of Things. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. The team is also creating a toolkit and bootcamp to help others set up a Library of Things in the UK and beyond. Toys, board games, and especially pricey video games are also great items to have, as some parents can’t afford them and kids can get tired of them quickly. In turn, this sense of ownership helps reduce the number of items that are not returned or are returned late because not returning an item would be like stealing from your neighbor or even yourself. Almost every library we’ve helped get started has run out of space—especially the ones that accept donations of items from the community. Some rights reserved under a modified CC license. We’ve seen tool, kitchen and now Library of Things start to rapidly pop-up now that, from the start, you can sign up members and let the community see your inventory (or your wish list) online right from the start. location of relevance: The Netherlands. Things that are in high demand, or where the low-cost versions break down often, for example, pressure washers. You don’t even need your own room or shelf space to lend out books—all you really need is a place to store them. Thus, it is necessary to understand how tax dollars are collected, then allocated in your state (and each one is different! You can unsubscribe at any time. LibraryThing helps you create and track a library-quality catalog of your media—books (along with movies and music) you own, have read, want to read, etc. How to Start a Library of Things. What works best is going to depend on the target customer and location. For libraries that rely on volunteers, make sure managing the library is as easy as possible to help reduce volunteer burnout. Similar to retail spaces, the best types of spaces for a Library of Things are those that are visible and easily accessible to the community. What pricing or membership structure do you recommend? I began building my own personal library when I was in 7th grade and that obsession continued to the present day, although now I build it digitally. Bringing people together and helping ensure they have the skills to use the different types of things in the library is a great way to connect the community. As the Library of Things movement gains steam, we’re going to see new spaces popping up that range from the rugged to the high-end retail. ). According to my informal survey, the one thing that Cambridge has the vastest number of is, not pesky punt tour promoters, but libraries. A budget? All sorts of kitchen tools like bread makers, ice cream and pasta makers or other items that most people find to be fun but don’t use every day are useful. The library is home to tools, suitcases, a barbecue, pasta makers, a wallpaper steamer and more. Summary. The first thing you will need to do if you want to start your own library is start gathering books. Libraries of Things should focus on trying to get more durable and repairable items that can be reused over and over. The exact amounts we’d recommend will vary based on the area and types of items in the Library of Things, though we do recommend some sort of sliding scale to ensure everyone in the community can afford to access the things they need. What other questions do you have for Gene about opening or running a Library of Things? What are the biggest challenges or hurdles to opening one? Ok, my area already has libraries, but they're horrible. In seeking to develop a school library, a few aspects need to exist or be planned for: A committed vision. What are some of the best ways you've seen people building community around a Library of Things? DeDeelkelder in Utrect, Netherlands allows you to paddle right up to the Library of Things as they operate out of what used to be wharf storage space that has been converted into a community resource, and more recently, out of a pop-up shop. In the US, we know a number of Library of Things that have had luck with Philadelphia Insurance as they often write policies for nonprofits and more unique businesses. Since Libraries of Things can help reduce consumption and waste, while providing access to items many people can’t afford to buy, going the nonprofit route can open up funding from local government, community foundations and people who are willing to donate toward helping address these important social and environmental issues. Photo: James Bartholomew. Imagine going into a neighborhood shop to borrow tools, kitchen appliances, camping gear, party supplies, sports equipment, musical instruments, and more. Up-front planning and making sure you put together a good team is important from the get-go. Whether you use our platform or another, we recommend bringing in a technology platform to manage the library right away. Communities use myTurn to share tools and home goods, universities use it for bike and equipment lending, and utility companies use it to share energy efficiency tools with builders. Don’t reinvent the wheel when you don’t have to. The concept of a Library of Things isn’t new; toy libraries have been around since the 1970s and tool libraries also flourished back then, especially in the USA. Is it possible to create a library without software? Think of an old-fashioned card catalog–the kind you used to see at libraries. Photo: Jim Wilson/The New York Times. For example, a games night where members and friends come and play some of the games at the Library of Things. utility companies use it to share energy efficiency tools with builders. If you’re getting started in the US, Canada or an area with a good mix of incomes and socioeconomic status, there are almost always some people who have too much stuff in their garages, closets, attics and storage spaces that are happy to get items back into use. Cat Johnson is a writer and content strategist focused on coworking, collaboration and community. Sign up Sign in. The Library of Things get a pop-up space for a pilot, and the landlord ends up with a more valuable space. These might be more appropriate if, and when, a Library of Things helps facilitate rentals or sharing directly between their members in a peer-to-peer fashion. If you’re in a low or mixed-income area and plan to ensure everyone can afford to use the Library of Things, see if there are programs that can help fund your space or receive other discounts. It doesn’t get much better than that. Cooperative? This often makes it very easy to build your initial inventory. The platform is used by over 130 tool, kitchen and other community lending libraries, as well as hundreds of nonprofits, universities, municipalities and enterprises. It represented the second order of order. We recommend starting by getting the word out via local blogs, visiting meetings of other community and business groups, and then moving on to more traditional media. What other things are necessary? For nonprofits and co-ops, we recommend accepting donations of items from the community. Follow @CatJohnson on Twitter. Bringing others in early and learning what resources are available helps ensure you don’t feel too overwhelmed and, besides, it’s more fun to plan and work with others. Many public libraries are self-insured through their municipality, or can get an additional rider on their existing policy for their Library of Things, if needed. Many designers think of the Design System Kit for Sketch as of the UI Controls Library. You can use the sites as a secure place to store, organize, share, and access information from any device. At myTurn, we even field calls from local TV and radio stations wanting to know if there is a Library of Things in their area because they have heard about them and would love to do a story about them. At myTurn we help on the electronic side, but there are often data security and other procedures for how you handle user data locally that can still apply. A “Library of Things” program in Sacramento, California has started to loan out all kinds of stuff that people may want to use, once in a while, but not own. Start Borrowing. In fact, we hope to see more “sharing centers” and fewer shopping centers in the future. Affordable. Library of Things is any collection of objects loaned at no charge, and any organization that practices such loaning. I also recommend getting more space than you think you’ll need, though not more than you think you can afford, if possible. myTurn is used by numerous library of things, providing the software for tracking loans and more. Contributing your own tags, reviews, etc. For a public library, on average, 80% of the funding is local, with another 8-9% coming from various fees, gifts, etc. We promise not to spam you. Kinder to the planet. Talk with others who have done it already, then start defining the plan that is right for your community. Accepting donations also gives more people in the community a sense of ownership and accomplishment, because they’ve helped make the library of success. Personally, I like the co-op model, where community members have a direct stake in the success of the library. The Denver Tool Library is even holding a concert series with local bands. We’ve had customers start to enter inventory as it comes in and, more importantly, sign up paying members months before their library opens. Whether you’re writing grants, starting a crowdfunding campaign, or talking with potential investors, you’ll also want to have a budget and basic financial projections. How are these best handled? Publications include Yes! I suppose one might find it strange that an academic librarian would have his own library. What are some valuable or necessary skills? Libraries are also popping up inside apartment buildings, in coffee shops and in cities. Co-locating in community centers, public libraries, or even in schools or universities can provide a way to tap into existing foot traffic as well. For example, SHARE – A Library of Things, in Frome, England, which was the first permanent library of things, offers a whole packet of information about how they got started and includes sample forms and procedures. Thus, libraries share their books and other materials with each other through use of mobile vans. About . “When we placed the Little Free Library in front of our house, it was instant,” she says. Borrow useful Things for your home, projects and adventures. The membership fees give you a steady stream of income, while the additional fees help ensure you can maintain—or purchase more of—popular and more expensive items. Ours has a little puppet theater and computer stations, so it really never gets old. date published: August 15, 2016. But home libraries can be a dynamic expression of the owner's personality. Also work with local government or building owners of vacant space. Membership or subscription-based: where you pay a yearly or monthly fee and then check items out for free, Charging a per-item rental/loan fee, similar to a traditional rental shop, More expensive or in-demand items may require an additional fee, Different membership levels may offer different percentage discounts on per-item fees—or number of items you can have out at once, Completely free: typically used by public libraries, but also some community Library of Things. You also get a SharePoint team site whenever you create a Microsoft 365 group in Outlook Online or Microsoft 365. Emphasis is on school libraries, but there's plenty in here for public libraries too. Here are 27 free things at the library. Whether you’re a nonprofit, for profit, co-op or other type of organization looking to start a public Library of Things, we do recommend at least putting together basic business plan. The more you can have streamlined and working smoothly from the start, the easier the learning curve will be after launch. We strongly recommend doing market research in your community before you open to ensure the items you’re going to carry are the ones that are most appropriate for your area. Now, Libraries of Things are rolling together all the things people only infrequently need and bringing them together in one place, so they have something for everyone. The Internet has changed dramatically over the past two years. Laws and regulations vary from municipality to municipality, state to state and country to country and we typically recommend at least talking with a commercial real estate expert. You wouldn’t have to buy, repair or store infrequently used items. How To Make A Library Outing Fun. And more than just access to stuff, Libraries of Things typically build community by offering classes and a place where people can share not just things, but also ideas and skills. What types of items work best in a Library of Things? It’s easiest to locate your exchange box on a post on your own property. A Library of Things should be stocked with items that need little maintenance and hold up to heavy use. The platform is used by over 130 tool, kitchen and other community lending libraries, as well as hundreds of nonprofits, universities, municipalities and enterprises. As a first step, share that excitement with others and start to form a team to make the Library of Things a reality. In addition to finding local volunteers, nonprofits may also be able to tap into AmeriCorps volunteers. If you’re passionate about the idea and can communicate it well to others, you’ll almost certainly be able to inspire others to help you fill in the gaps. You’d have access to a much wider variety of goods than you could ever own, and you could easily share things with neighbors. If you are opening the first Library of Things in your area, getting media can be almost as easy as getting donations of items for your inventory. You could start asking for donations from people in your local community or your workplace. Posted by cambridgechildrenslit. Likewise, you may want to start a lending library associated with your church, school or retirement community and carry titles that will cater to the interests of your constituency. So she decided to take the ultimate next step in the next few years – start a library! If you’re operating your Library of Things as formal business, you’ll likely be going with a traditional lease. See more ideas about library activities, school library, library. This article has been viewed 26,883 times. DeDeelkelder, in the Netherlands, recently opened a pop-up Library of Things. Sign in Sign up. You can now choose to collect or get Things delivered to your door in Crystal Palace and surrounding areas. If your phone is on vibrate, it should not be resting on a hard surface. Disclosure: MyTurn is an in-kind sponsor of Shareable offering website maintenance and other technical support. Start a Small Library. No matter the type of space or organization, we recommend having someone familiar with leases and contracts—preferably legal counsel—check over the lease before you sign it. You’ll be spending your time dealing with writing things down on paper, manually emailing people when things are due or overdue, and reporting will be a hassle at best—and impossible at worst. This is the idea behind a Library of Things. Credit: Sanne van Vliet. This gives the team experience with the platform from the start, so that when they open they are ready to hit the ground running. Set up a book exchange hub if you lack the means to start a larger library. I do a couple of things to make it stay fun for my kids: I allow us plenty of time to peruse, play, do any activities they have, and just browse through all those glorious books. With the large number of organizations using our platform, at myTurn we can even make recommendations on the some of the best items to purchase for a lending library based on usage and durability statistics. Locate a space for your library that's easily accessible by public transportation, has free parking and is located on the ground floor to encourage walk-ins. About This Article. Jefferson's library might fit your conception of an old-fashioned home library with leather-bound books, wood paneling and uncomfortable furniture. You typically don’t have the built-in customer base you get with a co-op (the co-op members) and accepting donations of items is not always an option. There are also newer insurance services that focus on the sharing economy and on-demand economy. So far, we’re seeing all types of items like hand and power tools, baby carriers, board and video games, sporting goods, bread makers, drones, party supplies, camping gear and just about anything else you can imagine. SHARE Library of Things in Frome, England is the first of its kind in the U.K. Photo: James Bartholomew. Do you need a business plan? We typically recommend a core team of three to seven people so you’re not doing everything yourself, and you have a variety of skills on the team. This is the idea behind a Library of Things. For example, if your organization accepts donated items, you’ll find that your community is likely full of items people would love to find a new home for. The Sacramento Public Library’s Library of Things is housed in the Arcade branch of the public library system. Updated: August 16, 2018. Location, Location, Location. While you can start without technology, once you get beyond a couple dozen items or members it becomes very burdensome to manage a Library of Things without a software platform. Imagine going into a neighborhood shop to borrow tools, kitchen appliances, camping gear, party supplies, sports equipment, musical instruments, and more. This movement, and the buzz behind it, really started with tool libraries and kitchen libraries and other speciality lending libraries, most of which got their start using myTurn. To an extent, this depends on the type of organization, budget and where you are. Photo: The Sharing Depot. Why buy when you can borrow? We know of one or two libraries that had to close because their founders had to resign due to personal issues. I read a few books to them while they’re there. She's the author of Coworking Out Loud, a guide to content marketing for coworking space operators. If you’re already familiar with a platform, handling those unexpected spikes in activity are much easier. Also, learn more about what’s already been done and the types of resources that are available to help you get started. At what point does a tech solution become necessary? But Design Systems are much more; Sketch also may be used for many other digital design purposes. These types of events build community and bring people into the space so they can see what it is all about. However, there is still some time left in the semester and finals and a lot of time spent in the library is in your near future. Before there were great technology solutions like myTurn to manage tool libraries and Libraries of Things, there were about a dozen tool libraries, and they were difficult to get started. The Library of Things in a Nutshell. resource format: Article. He also provides a couple of tips, with a special reference to children’s books.The collection of a library … We recommend adding classes and workshops as soon as you have the ability to do so. See more on her coworking blog. Again, cover the basics so you have a general idea of what you’ll need to start and manage the library, but you don’t need to have every piece in place before moving forward. The first thing to do when planning your own Little Library is to decide where to place it. If you love the library, you might even consider working at the library and becoming a … In the United States and some other countries, too, libraries (including those of many community colleges) are tied together in these cooperative networks. A Library of Things looks a lot like either a library or a rental shop to insurers, so there tend to be different options depending on how you form your Library of Things. The best items for a Library of Things are those that people want and need, but might not have the space to store, the money to purchase, or the need to use all the time. What options are there for organizational structure of a Library of Things? This board focuses on all things library, including activities, programs, lessons, organization + other ideas. Shareable connected with Gene Homicki, co-founder and CEO of myTurn, an online platform that makes it easy for anyone to start and manage a Library of Things. For example, there are data privacy requirements in Canada, Europe, and other locations that cover even basic contact information. I’ll start with the second. Sep 16, 2020 - We all know that libraries are awesome. Convenient. It’s really exciting when you first come up with, or learn about, a library that lends tools, camping gear, games and other things, rather than just books. As an example, the Santa Rosa Tool Library operates out of extra storage space for a local architecture firm that supports their mission. As Margret Aldrich, author of the Little Free Library Book told Shareable, neighbors started coming over to visit as soon as she put a Little Free Library in her yard. Shareable connected with Gene Homicki, co-founder and CEO of myTurn, an online platform that makes it easy for anyone to start and manage a Library of Things. Diverse backgrounds and skillsets are ideal, but not completely necessary. We asked Homicki for his top tips for starting a Library of Things. Shareable: The Library of Things movement has grown from a whisper into a buzz. Be sure to try build something bigger than yourself. The Things Events. Cat Johnson is a writer and content strategist focused on coworking, collaboration and community. People-powered solutions for the common good, DeDeelkelder Library of Things in Utrect, Netherlands. ALA has developed this document as a starting point to help you address current events and support all the members of your community, especially those in the most need. Kinder to the planet. If you're in SharePoint Server, you can create a team or a number of other types of sites. There are some items that you just can’t get via donation. Convenient. Simply fill a covered box or cabinet with an array of books and leave it somewhere near your home. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. What's the future for Libraries of Things? Little Free Libraries are simply brilliant. If you live in a food desert, or where there is food insecurity, gardening tools are a great option to help people grow their own food. The first three to six months of being open tend to be hectic and a learning experience, and often growth will happen faster than expected. Once someone decides to create a Library of Things, what are the first steps to get started? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. chainsaws), need a lot of maintenance or calibration between each use, or that need—and can be difficult—to clean between every use. For more than a decade now, it continues to function, though her son is now 21 years old. I'd like to start a library that is better marketed so more people know about it, is more technically sound, and is a flat out better place to get books. How does a Library of Things obtain their inventory? ThinkBox, a children’s library for books and toys started in 2008 in Bengaluru’s Malleshpalya main road. A library is one of the most important community buildings. You have solidified groups to cram for exams and you’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The best pricing model is going to depend on your local community, needs and your goals for your Library of Things. To get started, we recommend putting together—or borrowing from an existing Library—an initial wish list, then get feedback from potential members of the Library of Things to see what they want. Borrow useful Things for your home, projects and adventures. Gene Homicki: More and more people are realizing the joy of being able to access the things they need, without the burden of owning and storing them. Again, it is really important that as you are planning your Library of Things that you survey your members and potential members to see what they would want and need—and create and post a wish list. Are there things that don't work well? This article focuses on the importance of a library in a community and a few significant things essential to start a library. I’d even recommend doing some fun events. They create a sense of place and connect people while supporting literacy. Running a crowdfunding campaign can also be a great way to help start or expand a tool or kitchen library into a Library of Things. As Homicki says, myTurn allows new lending libraries to use the “best practices baked right into the platform” and focus on the things that are unique to their community. Check with developers and landlords that are looking to support a more resilient community and might be willing to provide discounted or even free space. Browse the Things. Camping gear can be a great way to help introduce more people to the outdoors and nature. Thanks for subscribing! Access to a space for locating a collection and creating a research and reading space. Good examples for a starter list include tools, like a tile saw or floor sander that you might only need for one project or that not everyone can afford. Beyond your personal catalog, LibraryThing's social aspects show and aggregate tags, ratings, reviews, and Common Knowledge (facts about a book or author, like series and awards). If you have the resources to go this route though, rental businesses have been successful and profitable for many decades, and this is an extension of that model into other types of items and services. A Library of Things inventory should reflect the needs and desires of the community. Affordable. Libraries of Things can get really creative with their spaces though. Locations . *Required field. Other types of items to avoid can be ones that are dangerous (e.g. What kind of insurance options are there for a Library of Things? In addition to insurance, also be careful of other legal requirements. Imagine going into a neighborhood shop to borrow tools, kitchen appliances, camping gear, party supplies, sports equipment, musical instruments, and more. What kind of team do you need to get a Library of Things started? Passersby won't quite believe you're giving away something for free and may think there's some sort of catch – so explain things clearly with a small sign above your library. With a non-profit or co-op model, people are often very open to donating their own underutilized items to help support what is clearly a community resource. It’s easier to rent a vibrant space with foot traffic than an empty one, so this often works out as a win-win situation. Nonprofit? One Library of Things switched to our platform due to the difficulties and extra work volunteers had to do due to their home-grown solution. What are the challenges of doing so? We currently have over 130 libraries lending to the public on the myTurn platform, and all of those structures—co-op, nonprofit, for profit, public library and offshoot of an existing organization—are represented by our customers. The Sharing Depot in Toronto recently moved from a basement space to ground-floor retail that allows people just walking down the block to see, and covet, the things they can borrow. Cat helps coworking spaces and collaborative organizations tell their stories, amplify their message and grow their communities. Do they purchase it or get it donated? Once you have people coming in the door—which is usually not difficult—building and connecting that community is important. About . Also, when members of the community contribute to starting the Library of Things, they become invested, both literally and figuratively, in its success. How to start a library. As you prepare to open, team members with management (retail, volunteer management if you’re a nonprofit, etc.) Objects often include kitchen appliances, tools, gardening equipment and seeds, electronics, toys and games, art, science kits, craft supplies, musical instruments, and recreational equipment. For example, the Missoula Urban Development project runs a Tool and Kitchen Library out of multiple shipping containers, the London Library of Things also just opened in a reclaimed shipping container. The University of Cambridge alone has 115, not to mention the ones in the communityand schools, and the other university of which Cambridge is home. To help small nonprofit and community based Libraries of Things get going, myTurn often offers longer term “trials” and discounts to help ensure our costs do not prevent a Libraries of Things from helping build a more resilient local community. The computers don't work, there is too little selection, it is an unorganized mess, the books they do have are outdated or no one has touched them in years (this isn't all of them). Would you like to start a lending library in your neighborhood, but aren’t sure what it would take? Putting books back on the shelves is only helpful if you actually know where they came from. Simply enter your library number and password, and start your search. I recommend mapping out the skills your team does have and find advisors to help you fill out the skills your team might be missing. You also want to stock items that are both durable and repairable, since they’ll see a lot more use than the typical power drill that is only used for 10 to 20 minutes over its life before being disposed of. To start our church library, I used address labels, envelopes, index cards, rubber cement, and contact paper. By Cat Johnson. Most people love the idea of a Library of Things once they hear about it, so pitching online and traditional media is usually pretty easy. You wouldn’t have to buy, repair or store infrequently used items. She's the author of Coworking Out Loud, a guide to content marketing for coworking space operators. One of our first customers, the Vancouver Tool Library, manages both their co-op membership and their tool library membership via our platform. The London Library of Things originally started in a public library in 2014, but, thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign, it’s moving into its own space later this month. Here are things to pack BEFORE you leave for the lib because we all know once you go in, it’s hard to get out. For small nonprofits and community groups, we recommend trying to find partner organizations that already have potentially underutilized space. At this point, the for-profit model offers the biggest risk—and reward. Here are six tips to help you start your own Little Free Library: 1. Things to avoid are items that are not durable or made to hold up to high usage. Imagine a traditional mom and pop rental shop with a gaggle of items everywhere, to spaces that look more like an Apple store or Tesla dealership that are ultra modern. Please check your email for further instructions. Also encourage your members and class participants to tell their friends about the Library of Things. An offshoot of an existing organization or library? We’re still in the early stages of Libraries of Things, and there will continue to be experimentation going on. How do you suggest people find a space? This card catalog contained information about the book, it’s title, author, and perhaps most importantly, the place you could find it. If the library you are intending of starting will be in your workplace, then you should first see if there are funds available to buy books or trade journals that would fit in the library. Photo: The Sharing Depot in Toronto. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion, utility companies use it to share energy efficiency tools with builders. Get the most out of your local library with help from wikiHow's Libraries category! I would have loved to have access to hundreds of toys and games as a kid (and love it now!). What’s behind the excitement? To organize my library I depend on both of these orders of order. Some funds or other way of supplying materials needed; ingenuity can go a long way in creating a library. This is another area where I especially recommend talking with potential members to see what they can, and are willing to, afford, and try to be as inclusive as possible, ensuring there is a way everyone can use your Library of Things. Useful skills to have include project management, bookkeeping and finance, fundraising, legal, marketing, design and technology. Are there best practices in dealing with landlords or owners? At myTurn, we can provide advice on the most popular types of items in areas similar to your new Library of Things, and even ones that have proven to be more repairable and durable. The best Libraries of Things start out building a place to borrow and share things, and end up building a community. Good examples for a starter list include tools, like a tile saw or floor sander that you might only need for one project or that not everyone can afford. For-profit? Photo: The Sharing Depot. Many public libraries are looking for ways to stay relevant and increase the services they offer to their communities, therefore many of these institutions are receptive to the idea of expanding to lend out more types of items. During difficult times, our nation’s 120,000+ public, academic, school, and special libraries are invaluable allies inspiring understanding and community healing. Magazine, Utne Reader, GOOD, Shareable, Triple Pundit, Mother Jones, Future Perfect and Lifehacker. Sign up for Shareable’s weekly news about the latest people-powered solutions from around the world. Advertisement. We’re looking at these types of options and potentially offering insurance via our platform to remove one more pain point from getting started. Creating a home library is a fun way to display your interests while establishing a special space for reading. In Microsoft 365, you can create a site from the SharePoint start page. As Homicki says, myTurn allows new lending libraries to use the “best practices baked right into the platform” and focus on the things that are unique to their community. You’d have access to a much wider variety of goods than you could ever own, and you could easily share things with neighbors. Any tips for getting the word out? Establish a funding plan and determine the sustainability of that plan. Let us know in comments. Publications include Yes! To get started, we recommend putting together—or borrowing from an existing Library—an initial wish list, then get feedback from potential members of the Library of Things to see what they want. 55 votes - 78%. Once you get your library card, you can learn how to find the books you're looking for, check out library books, avoid library fines, and more. Locations . Communities use myTurn to share tools and home goods, universities use it for bike and equipment lending, and utility companies use it to share energy efficiency tools with builders. Photo: Liselotte van Wickeren. To create this article, 17 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Overview: How to Start of Library of Things (also applies to Tool Libraries) from Shareable.net Latest Items: Library of Things eBook from Shareable.net How Libraries of Things build resilience, fight climate change, […]