Skip to content

Lending library aims to help people reduce waste

BBC Nick Turner wearing a navy blue jumper underneath a red zip up hoodie. He has long grey hair tied back into a bun, and a long grey beard in a plait. He is wearing round, brown framed glasses and looking at the camera. In his right hand is a brown sloth stuffed toy. Behind him is a wooden shelving unit full of boxes and equipment.BBC
Manager Nick Turner said there had been a lot of interest from the community

A borrowing library full of miscellaneous goods hopes to help people reduce waste and save money during the cost of living crisis.

Stroud Library of Things (SLOTH), in Gloucestershire, will offer a variety of tools, DIY supplies, decorations and electronic goods for people to borrow for a fixed time at a low cost.

It aims to reduce individual purchases of rarely used items and encourage sharing in the community. Workshops will be held to teach people how to use and repair the borrowed equipment.

The library, which hopes to be up and running by spring, has fundraised more than £5,000 ahead of its launch.

A wooden shelving unit full of various DIY equipment, toolboxes, vacuums, carpet cleaners, cooking equipment, and camping gear. There are three blue posted taped to the shelves displaying an appeal for donations to fund the scheme.
People borrowing items will pay an annual membership fee and a small cost per loan

Nick Turner, SLOTH manager, said there had been a lot of interest from the community, with more than 60 people paying to take up an annual membership.

"That's really encouraging to know that we're not just sitting here deciding something on our own but we have that support," he said.

"The cost will go towards making sure everything is fit and borrowed for when people need to use it.

"We also need some money to fill the wish list of things people haven't donated yet."

Mr Turner said he hoped the shelves would soon be full of toolboxes, vacuum cleaners, cooking equipment, camping gear and party decorations.

Frank Kibble wearing a dark grey polo shirt and smiling at the camera. He is standing in the storage unit of Stroud's Library of Things in front of a large wooden shelving unit. Frank has short brown hair, blue-grey eyes and is clean shaven.
Frank Kibble said Space Hive's purpose is to "make it easy for anyone to improve their local area"

Money is being raised through crowdfunding platform Space Hive and the team hopes to raise £6,000 to pay for the first year of operation, with Stroud District Council pledging to provide match funding.

Frank Kibble, partnership director at Space Hive, said: "It really shows the commitment, dedication and the creativity of the community in Stroud.

"They are more than great ideas, they are community-focused, practical solutions to some really important topics like sustainability, mental wellbeing and connecting communities."

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More on this story
Related internet links