Woking and Guildford’s Free Libraries of Things

Following the success of Guildford’s library of things, Woking has now launched its own version Discover Woking Library of Things: Borrow Tools for Free. The idea is to save people from having to buy new items that they will use only occasionally or even just once – instead, such items can be borrowed for free.

The Woking version currently has some impressive power tools (and a pressure washer, strimmer, electric sewing machine, and cake tins in the shape of numbers). The Guildford library of things has been established for much longer and, besides tools, includes board games, gazebos, camping equipment, cool boxes, a steam cleaner, and so much more – over 100 items in fact.

The Guildford Library of Things calculates that, with over 1,000 members, it has saved 6 tonnes of CO2 emissions (from new products not needing to be made, transported, packaged etc.) and its users over £105,000 in borrowing items for free, instead of purchasing them.

Use the link above to find more details of what is available and how the scheme works in Woking.

See here for Guildford’s library of things Waste Inventory - Guildford Library of Things. To use the libraries, you will need to set up a free account and reserving your chosen item is recommended for Guildford, but not essential.

Both library of things are located in their respective town libraries and donations of items are always welcome.