Libraries of things (often called LoTs) are a community space for the social practice of borrowing and sharing to take place. They hold true to the traditional mechanics of a library while pushing borrowing material to a new edge. Instruments, gardening tools, camping gear, sporting equipment, and more are up for grabs to be borrowed throughout the community. Our Library of Things Co-Lab makes this culture-change movement accessible for every community of resilience. This Co-Lab operates as a resource-sharing hub that guides organizers through the process of incubating and strengthening libraries of things as a social practice for communities.
The Co-Lab will offer a robust digital toolbox, educational resources, a peer support network, facilitated project groups, monthly educational sessions, and a fellowship for a select group of organizers in marginalized communities in the US who will receive additional resources to incubate a LoT in their community.
- Research + Development. From April-August 2023, our project team administered an international survey to existing LoTs, conducting qualitative interviews with a select number of LoT managers and community organizers to benchmark the state of LoTs around the globe. We’ll develop the LoT ToolBox 1.0 in July & August 2023 using report findings as a guide. The LoT Toolbox 1.0 will be published with a Creative Commons License free and available for all to use and improve.
- Education + Support. Monthly workshops, facilitated project teams, and the fellowship will run from October 2023-October 2024
- Integration + Resource Improvement. Following the year-long LoT program, we’ll spend October-December 2024 integrating what we’ve learned into the LoT ToolBox 2.0, which will be published with a Creative Commons License so that it can be used and improved freely.
If you’re interested in joining the Library of Things Co-Lab as a participant, advisor, resource contributor, workshop presenter, or project team member, please share your information with us below!