Exeter Library of Things CIC

Aim

To raise funds to enable us to set up and run Exeter's first Library of Things, helping members to buy less and borrow more.

ELoT

Exeter Library of Things is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company. Our aim is to reduce consumption, encourage community engagement and create sustainable living habits, all the while helping members cut down on costs and free up space.

Our aim is to set-up the Library of Things with a wide range of items available for members to borrow including power tools, hand tools, household and leisure items. It's hoped that, by sharing the things we use only now and then, we can help people to save money, connect people to the local community and increase awareness around consumerism and waste. 

The Library will be used by many different groups of people, but will be especially useful to those who are on low-wages, unemployed and retired, as well as students and young families. Groups who find themselves with little disposable income and small amounts of storage space. Membership will be paid annually and is likely to be around £30 per year, this will gain members access to a wide range of items with a weekly charge per item borrowed.

We also aim to offer opportunities to local residents to volunteer and help run the project. Alongside running the Library we intend to develop collaborative projects with other local community groups.

Where and How?

We have very kindly been given a space in the old Halfords building on Sidwell St. above The Sidwell St Bakehouse. To get the Library up and running we will need to purchase items to populate the library with, develop a website and purchase insurance.

The money raised will enable us to:-

• Purchase items to fill the Library with. We've had some fantastic items donated so far but we will need to purchase some things. This is the biggest overall expense and it is hoped that as Library membership grows we will be able to increase the range of items available.
  
  
• Develop an Exeter Library of Things website. All users will be able to browse items available to borrow. We will also accept membership applications through the website and registered members will be able to view items available to borrow and book them using an online system.
  
  
• Purchase insurance to cover us, our volunteers and our library items.
  
  
• Maintain the items in the Library and keep them in good working order. PAT test electrical items where necessary.

Buy Less, Borrow More

If we want resilient, sustainable communities, we need to reduce our focus on economic growth, materialism and consumption. Global environmental problems demand a change of consumer behaviour and creating a less materialistic world will require major changes to our economic systems. There are however, changes we can make as individuals and a Library of Things could help reduce the average resource and energy consumption of its members.

It's hoped that Exeter Library of Things can go some way to help people make a change and that with your help, we can become a valuable resource for the residents of Exeter and Devon.

If you're interested in being involved in the project then please get in touch.

Thank You!

This project successfully funded on 26th October 2021