A new library is opening in the city... and people will be able to borrow tools from it
The Library of Things is coming to Brighton and is offering a free trial period until March 2023.
In a bid to save money and reduce waste, users can borrow useful items like drills, carpet cleaners, sound systems and projectors.
People are also invited to share practical skills like DIY and repair with others in the community.
The Library of Things was founded in 2016 by Emma Shaw, Rebecca Trevalyan and Sophia Watt, with its first self-serve kiosk opening in Crystal Palace in 2018.
The branch in Brighton is the 12th Library of Things and the first outside of London.
“We’ve had lots of interest in Library of Things from Brighton and Hove residents and organisations – so we’re excited that they’ll be able to borrow quality items like Bosch drills, Karcher carpet cleaners and Stihl hedge trimmers," said Emma.
"This is an important step for Library of Things, as we expand our work to create a community-led circular economy in neighbourhoods outside London.”
Borrowing from the Library of Things is free during the pilot period and is supported Brighton and Hove City Council, electricals refurbishment company Tech-Takeback and Interreg Blueprint.
Users will be able to reserve items online ready to collect from the refurbished electricals shop Revaluit in Castle Square, Brighton.
The free discount will be added at the checkout stage.
A £1 fee is required once for verification during reservation, and is refunded in cash when the borrower collects their item.
According to Library of Things, so far over 5,000 people have now borrowed items over 10,000 times, saving approximately 40 tonnes of waste from landfill and 88 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
“Borrowing makes sense to me, because I’m only going to use these things occasionally," said Lucy, a borrower from Brighton.
"If other people can use the same tool after me, that’s so much better for the planet. Also, I don’t have the space or desire to store more stuff."
Residents can give borrowing a try in Brighton and Hove by visiting the Library of Things website to reserve items which they can then collect from Revaluit from 10am to 5pm Wednesday to Saturday.
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