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Welcome to the planning wiki for the Library of Things (LoT) — a proposed community lending library that gives Nelson Tasman residents access to tools and equipment they need but wouldn't normally own.
Note: This is a living working document in active development. Content is provisional and subject to change as the project develops and the steering group is formed.
What is the Library of Things?
The Library of Things is exactly what it sounds like: A library that lets people borrow tools and equipment at low cost — from power tools and camping gear to party equipment and garden tools. Instead of buying something you'll use twice, you borrow it, use it, and return it for a nominal cost.
The LoT will be volunteer-operated, overseen by a small steering group, and funded through a mix of grants, sponsorship, membership & borrowing fees, and community donations.
Why a Library of Things?
The LoT addresses several key needs in the Nelson Tasman community and aligns with local government priorities:
🔑 Affordability, Access, and Autonomy
LoTs make expensive tools and equipment accessible to everyone, regardless of income. This promotes equity and empowers people to do things themselves.
As a secondary function, the LoT also provides a venue for skill sharing and teaching:
For example a sewing machine is not just a tool for borrowing — it can also be a resource for sewing classes, repair workshops, sewing bees, and skill-sharing events.
The library model also fosters a sense of ownership and autonomy — you can borrow what you need, when you need it, without the burden of ownership.
♻️ Environmental Sustainability
From a sustainability perspective, the LoT promotes a circular economy and reduces waste by encouraging sharing and reuse.
Instead of buying a cheap version of a product for a specific one-off project, people can borrow a well-maintained, quality item. This reduces consumption and waste, and promotes a culture of repair and reuse.
LoT's also provide a place where quality second-hand items can be donated, repaired, and reused — keeping them out of landfill and in circulation.
🤝 Community Building and Resilience
A library of any sort is a community hub and a LoT is no exception — a place where people come together, share resources, and connect with each other. As important as the items themselves is people being validated and encouraged to do things for themselves & others, and to share their skills and resources with those around them.
The explicit kaupapa of the LoT is not just to reduce waste and save money, but to build community resilience and self-reliance — to empower people to do things for themselves, to share with their neighbours, and to build a stronger, more connected community. (TBD but something like this)
Funding and Sustainability
The LoT will be funded through a mix of grants, sponsorship, membership & borrowing fees, and community donations. The exact funding model is still being developed, but the goal is to create a sustainable financial model that supports ongoing operations while keeping costs low for members.
As a guiding principle the LoT should be accessible to everyone regardless of income, so fees will be kept as low as possible, use a koha system, and allow a volunteer work-in-lieu option for those who can't afford to pay.
See vision-and-purpose for more on the LoT's vision, values, and the problem we're solving.