The Library of Things Co-Lab is part of SolidarityWorks—Shareable’s new program focused on empowering grassroots groups through learning and action co-labs. This co-lab will convene organizers for training, resources, and support to establish community resource-sharing spaces called Libraries of Things in their communities.
The Library of Things Co-Lab includes a 12-week training course, online support network, paid fellowship for six teams in marginalized communities, and a comprehensive public toolkit.
Register for the Co-Lab
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 and used throughout the community.
The Library of Things Co-Lab makes this culture-change movement accessible to every community. For 12 weeks (and beyond) this will be a resource-sharing hub that guides organizers through the process of incubating and strengthening LoTs to serve their communities.
Register for the Co-Lab to access the full schedule of live workshops, recordings, resources, peer network, and more. All participants are encouraged to choose their own adventure and registration will remain open until the end of the Co-Lab.
The Library of Things Project Includes:
- Research + Development. Last year, 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. The final report and media/fundraising toolkit will be published in February 2024.
- Education + Support. The LoT Fellowship for six teams in historically marginalized communities began in November 2023 and the Co-Lab Workshops start in March 2024.
- Integration + Resource Improvement. During the LoT program, we’ll integrate what we’ve learned into the LoT ToolBox, which will be published with a Creative Commons License so that it can be used and improved freely.
- Field Strengthening + Micro-grants. The Co-Lab will provide opportunities for existing LoTs to learn from each other and micro-grants for select participants to build capacity.
Objectives
- Convene Library of Things practitioners
- Facilitate the sharing and documentation of best practices in the field
- Provide the basic education and resources needed to start an LoT from the ground up
Reach out to us (info@shareable.net) if you have any questions or trouble registering for the Co-Lab.
Initial Partners in the LoT Co-Lab include:
