Why buy when you can borrow? Pimlico Library launches Library of Things

Tired of cluttered closets and spending money on items you use once or twice? Imagine a place where you can borrow everything from a carpet cleaner to a waffle iron, just like you would borrow a book from your local library.

Library of Things is a social enterprise redefining ownership, consumption, and sustainability. Each time you borrow, you are making a good choice for your wallet, home, and planet.

Library of Things operates like a library, but instead of books, it is filled with rentable items, such as carpet cleaners, drills, hedge trimmers, sewing machines, projectors, and waffle irons.

Library of Things has come to Westminster, with the official launch at Pimlico Library on Monday 2 September 2024.

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To start renting, residents first need to sign up through the Library of Things website. Once signed up, residents can make a reservation online, select their dates, and pop into the lockers inside Pimlico Library to collect their items. Once they have completed their task, they return the item to the lockers, ready for their next neighbour to use.

There are almost 40 different items, ranging from drills and carpet cleaners to projectors and tents. Over 60% are under £10 per day, and there is a no-questions-asked 25% off concession rate for anyone who needs a helping hand, making it an affordable and sustainable option for the community. 

To get 15% off your first rental, use code PIMLICO15

Why borrowing is better:

• free up space in our homes
• save money by paying a fraction of the purchase cost
• ensure items get a full life of use
• each borrowed item contributes to reducing carbon emissions 

Rebecca Trevalyan, co-founder and co-director of Library of Things said:

We’ve had lots of interest in Library of Things from Westminster residents and organisations – so we’re excited that they can now hire quality items like Bosch drills, Karcher pressure washers and STIHL hedge trimmers for a few pounds per day. This is an important step for Library of Things, as we expand our work to create a community-led circular economy in neighbourhoods across London.”

Councillor Ryan Jude, Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology and Culture said:

Library of Things is a game changer for our community. It provides an eco-friendly, practical solution for borrowing items that often sit unused. Aligned with our commitment to delivering a Fairer Environment, this initiative promotes a circular economy, helping us reduce waste whilst also offering a smart way to save money during the cost of living crisis.”