Southwark’s first Library of Things launches

3 July 2023

Southwark’s first Library of Things is now open at Canada Water Library. The community focused scheme helps local people to save money and reduce waste by renting household, DIY, and gardening items at an affordable rate.

Fusing sustainability with savings, the borrowing scheme supports Southwark Council’s ambitious plans to tackle the climate emergency by achieving a more circular economy with less waste.

The Library of Things will offer over 30 useful items for residents to hire for as little as a few pounds per day. Residents can reserve items online ready to collect from self-service lockers in Canada Water Library.

But motivations for borrowing are not purely environmental – renting is also more cost-effective than buying, helps reduce clutter and is a low-barrier way to learn practical skills like repair and DIY. Visitors to the site are also encouraged to borrow books from the library to help reduce their carbon footprint.

Residents will also have the option to sign up for a concession membership which offers 25% off rentals. 

Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019 Southwark Council has taken urgent action. This includes moving thousands of council properties away from gas, improving walking and cycling in the borough with new segregated cycle lanes, an increased number of cycle hangers to 626, and the launch of a new free advice service for residents to learn how to make green home improvements.

Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency, Clean Air and Streets, said: “We are thrilled to launch Southwark’s first Library of Things, supporting the council’s commitment to do all we can to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030.

“As the impact of climate change becomes increasingly apparent, it’s vital that we all adopt sustainable practices to minimise waste and reduce our carbon footprint. Community borrowing helps achieve these goals while fostering a greater sense of community. From power tools to kitchen appliances, each item borrowed is a step towards a more sustainable future.

Councillor Catherine Rose, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Leisure and Parks, said: “Hosting the scheme at one of our exceptional libraries supports the centuries old library ethos of borrowing, rather than buying and showcases our ongoing ambition to further increase the things on offer in our libraries.”

Emma Shaw, co-founder of Library of Things, said: “We’ve had lots of interest in Library of Things from Canada Water residents and organisations – so we’re excited that they’ll now be able to borrow quality items like Bosch drills, Kärcher 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.”

Library of Things was founded by Emma Shaw, Rebecca Trevalyan and Sophia Wyatt in 2016. Inspired by similar projects emerging in cities like Berlin and Toronto, this women-led social enterprise launched its first self-service lockers in Crystal Palace in 2018. Library of Things is now open in 15 locations across London. Over 11,000 people have now hired almost 20,000 things, saving £640,000 from not buying new and saving approximately 110 tonnes of waste from landfill and 228 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Through its partnerships with product manufacturers Bosh, Kärcher and STIHL, councils and community groups, Library of Things is creating an alternative ‘circular economy’ – helping to transform neighbourhoods into low-waste, community-powered hubs.

Residents can now reserve items via the website: www.participate.libraryofthings.co.uk/canadawater

Page last updated: 03 July 2023