1. Tell me about the Library of Things.

The Library of Things is exactly what it sounds like: a collection of things you can borrow from the library other than books! Some of our Things include sports equipment, (e.g. pickleball sets, soccer balls, giant games), fitness equipment (e.g. yoga mats, skipping ropes, resistance bands), recreation/hobby equipment (e.g. fishing kit, binoculars, projector, knitting machine, camping tent), and household items (e.g. stud finder, gardening tools, 11L soup pot, induction cooktop). Everything in the Library of Things can be borrowed with your library card for three weeks.

2. What prompted the Library to start this project?

We're always watching library trends and looking for opportunities to expand our collections and services for our community. The Library of Things brings together some of our previous projects, such as physical literacy kits, and gives them a home and space for us to expand into all sorts of items Lethbridge residents might find useful to borrow for free.

3. What waste reduction objective do you hope to achieve?

We want to provide diverse opportunities for learning and engagement and to contribute to the circular economy. We prioritize acquiring items that help patrons try out a new hobby or activity without an upfront cost or complete a task without buying a single-use appliance or item. We hope this reduces barriers for our patrons and helps them to avoid excessive consumption by sharing instead of buying.

4. What's one wish you have for Lethbridge when it comes to the sharing economy?

I hope that the sharing economy becomes commonplace in the community and that there are diverse and robust opportunities for all to contribute and benefit!

5. What’s one thing you’d like to tell the community about the Library of Things?

We're happy to take requests for items people would like us to acquire, and we'd love donations of gently-used items we can give a new home. In either case, community members can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the details.

6. What impact do you hope this project will have five years into the future?

I hope that, five years from now, people think of the library first when they want to try out a new appliance or hobby or they need a limited-use item for a project. That will hopefully result in reduced environmental impact because less items are gathering dust in people's closets and more purchases are being made mindfully. I also hope that having these Things available means our patrons are able to try new things without a financial barrier and therefore experience a sense of community belonging, mutual learning, and a greater quality of life.