Libraries of Things Are Taking Root. Help Them Grow.
We’re raising $10,000 in 10 days to equip communities with the tools, training, and support to launch Libraries of Things — practical, community-powered spaces where people share resources instead of buying them alone.
Why This Matters
What if your neighborhood had a place where you could borrow a power drill, a pressure washer, a sewing machine — without owning any of it?
That’s a Library of Things, and we believe every community needs one. A Library of Things is more than a cool community amenity. It’s sharing infrastructure: a practical system that makes everyday life more affordable, helps neighbors connect, and builds real resilience — the kind that doesn’t depend on any single institution.
Communities across the country want to build this. Many of them just need a hand getting started.
The Moment We’re In
We just released a completely updated, 250-page guide to launching Libraries of Things — the most comprehensive resource of its kind.
And it’s already moving.
This month, a cohort of community development organizations began launching Libraries of Things in housing developments across the country, supported by Purpose Built Communities.
More requests are coming in — from college campuses, neighborhood groups, and housing developers who see what this model can do.
This campaign is about meeting that momentum.
- $25 gets the Library of Things toolkit into the hands of a community leader ready to start
- $100 supports training and hands-on guidance for an organization launching a LoT
- $500 helps seed a new Library of Things in a housing community or neighborhood
The Bigger Picture
Libraries of Things aren’t just a nice-to-have program. They’re a form of community infrastructure — the kind that helps people meet real needs together rather than alone.
When a neighborhood can share resources, equipment, and skills, it becomes more connected, more affordable, and more resilient. That’s true during a crisis. It’s also true on an ordinary Tuesday.
We’ve spent years developing the tools and knowledge to scale Libraries of Things into more places. Now communities are ready to build. This campaign is about making sure they have what they need.
“Shareable has been an incredibly helpful and inspiring resource. I’ve been learning so much from the LoT and Mutual Aid 101 Toolkits!”
-Alex Pink, Superior District Library (MI)
FAQ
Where does the money go? Directly to supporting the people and organizations launching Libraries of Things: new training cohorts, toolkit distribution, training support, facilitation, and ongoing resources for new LoT operators.
Why now? Because communities are ready. The toolkit is out. A new cohort is launching. The requests are coming in. This is the moment to scale — and we need your help to do it.
Is my donation tax-deductible? Yes. Shareable is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Can I give monthly? Please do. Monthly donors are what allow us to sustain and deepen this work year-round.
Can I get a print copy of the toolkit? Yes — donors of $100 or more can request a print copy once it’s available. Just note it in your donation or drop us an email.
We’re raising $10,000 by [DATE].
Every gift in the next 10 days helps turn a growing movement into real, rooted, community-powered infrastructure.
Make a Gift
Your gift fuels organizers who turning local care into lasting resilience – proving that when we move together, we all move forward.