WHY buy when you can borrow?

When you need a cake stand for a 10th birthday party, you ask a friend to lend you theirs to save some money. A friendly neighbour might have some power tools you need for a home project, and asking to borrow the tools means you don’t have to fork out the funds for a one-time use purchase. You may even find you liked speaking with the neighbour, he’s not a bad guy, you could see yourself inviting him around.

Imagine these interactions across a community.

The Sydney Library of Things is a volunteer, not-for-profit project that taps into the share economy. The service hopes to foster community connection and sustainability, tackling overconsumption.

Members have access to a wide variety of objects they can borrow and return. After paying a membership fee, members are able browse and reserve items online, then pick the items up.

Items in the Library range from baking trays to basketball hoops to power drills. Donations of items to be added to the library keep the service alive.

Beginning in Waverton, supported by North Sydney Council, the Sydney Library of Things recently opened another location in Lane Cove.

To find out more, visit the sydneylibraryofthings.org.au