Vision and Purpose - grgcnnr/LoT GitHub Wiki
The Library of Things is a community resilience & empowerment project providing access to tools and equipment at low cost to Nelson Tasman residents. Modeled on successful lending libraries operating in New Zealand, the UK, Europe, and beyond, it offers a practical, community-owned alternative to buying items that most people need only occasionally.
A central facility — open regular hours each week — will hold a curated inventory of things that residents can borrow, use, and return.
As well as lending items out. The library will act as a space where people can gain skills and attend workshops, use specialized tools, get advice on projects, and act a "third space" where community members can interact and share knowledge.
The Problem
Most households occasionally need a power tool, a piece of camping equipment, or a gazebo and set of dinnerware for a large crowd — but not often enough to justify owning it. The typical response is to either buy something cheap that won't last, pay for a hire service, or simply go without. In a healthy and resilient community, people would borrow these items from each other, or pool resources to buy them. The library of things aims to bridge this gap.
The end result: less money spent on items used once or twice, new skills and confidence to use them gained, fewer cheap goods discarded & a physical space where the above are seen as positive, constructive and normalised.
The LoT will:
- Enable people to build, repair, and create — giving residents access to tools and equipment that make things possible
- Increase skills and autonomy - providing people with access to tools and the skills to use them allows them to be less dependent on service providers, more empowered to build and fix them themselves, and free up money for other uses.
- Reduce consumption — fewer items need to be purchased and fewer end up in landfill
- Share knowledge and connect people — the library becomes a community hub, not just a storage facility
- Improve equity of access — quality tools and equipment become available to everyone regardless of income
Target audience
The Library of Things is primarily for Nelson Tasman residents, visitors to the region are also welcome — anyone who needs a tool or piece of equipment they don't own and wouldn't need to own permanently. This includes:
- Renters and first-home owners taking on DIY projects
- People doing a one-off repair or renovation
- Families wanting camping gear for a single trip
- Gardeners needing seasonal or specialist equipment
- Community groups needing event equipment
- Anyone who wants to borrow before they buy
- Visitors the the region who would like to kayak to Haulashore island or bike the Maitai river trails
Definition of success
Success for this project is an established lending library in a long-term secured location that is an accessible distance from the town center. The library has an enthusiastic and engaged volunteer base and is well utilized by the public. The library is able to generate 40% (is this too much?) of its required cash flow from membership and borrowing koha, with he rest secured by stable, long-term grants.
The library recieves a constant stream of high-quality second hand donations from supporters, has constructive relationships with local retailers, and is able to source the skills required for basic maintenance from volunteers and partner orgs. Specialist repairs like blade sharpening, servicing complex machines and electronics work will need to be negotiated with professional services - with a reduced rate or in-kind donation of time.
People who use the Lot come away feeling empowered to do more things for themselves and with a feeling of being part of a real and diverse community. They have more money in their pockets and less junk in their cupboards and rubbish bins.
Our Values
| Value | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Sustainability | We reduce waste, extend the life of goods, and support a circular economy |
| Equity & Autonomy | Access to tools and resources should not depend on income or prior experience |
| Connection & Resilience | The LoT is a place for people to meet, learn, and help each other; strengthening community connections and networks |