Published: Tuesday 26 September 2023
A library lending household items like drills, carpet cleaners and kitchen appliances opens in Kensington Leisure Centre on Tuesday 26 September.
A new Library of Things has opened in North Kensington, lending handy items such as drills, kitchen appliances and gardening equipment for a few pounds per day.
The service is part of plans to help people save money and reduce waste through promoting a circular economy, as part of Kensington and Chelsea Council’s plans for a greener, fairer borough.
The library with a difference will offer over 30 items which people can hire from just a few pounds per day by reserving online and collecting from the lockers at Kensington Leisure Centre on Silchester Road, North Kensington.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, lead member for net zero, said:
“The new Library of Things will lend useful things like power tools and kitchen appliances. It’s a brilliant way to reduce waste as we aim to be a carbon neutral borough by 2030.
“As well as the benefits for the environment it’s a great opportunity to get DIY or gardening done without spending a fortune on equipment and cluttering up your home or business with things you might only use once or twice a year.”
How do you use the library?
Residents can sign up for a concession rate that offers a further 25 per cent off rental prices. The new service will open on Tuesday 26 September at Kensington Leisure Centre and items can be collected and returned any time during leisure centre opening hours. To reserve an item, visit the website and follow the steps.
What can you borrow?
Favourite items include everything from carpet cleaners and drills to sound systems and ice cream makers. Borrow things that you don’t need every day but are handy for doing DIY, gardening or entertaining.
How Library of Things helps the environment?
Library of Things was founded in 2016 launching 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 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.
How is Library of Things funded?
The Library of Things has been funded as part of the Future Neighbourhoods programme. As a partnership between the Mayor of London and Kensington and Chelsea Council, Notting Dale ward is one of just two neighbourhoods in London piloting and exploring the concept of a future neighbourhood through circular economy and green jobs amongst other sustainable solutions.
Kensington and Chelsea Council has an ambition for Lancaster West Estate in Notting Dale to be an eco-neighbourhood and carbon neutral by 2030, along with all other Council operations.
A small fee for borrowing items contributes towards the library’s maintenance, meaning items can be cleaned and replaced when necessary.