A Library of Things loans out items to members of its local community – promoting a sharing economy.
These items can be anything and generally include DIY tools, garden machinery, kitchen appliances, camping gear, event equipment and household items that you don’t need to use very often.
The benefits of borrowing items from a Library of Things, rather than owning them, are:
- freeing up space in our homes;
- saving money by paying a fraction of the purchase cost;
- ensuring items get a full life of use;
- reducing over-manufacturing and material usage;
- reducing waste and carbon emissions.
The impact on the planet of our existing consumer habits is unsustainable. By borrowing and sharing, instead of buying and owning, we reduce our collective impact on the planet and ensure the amount of waste is kept to a minimum. Manufacturing processes along with disposal and recycling processes are all carbon-emitting problems that we need to address if we’re to tackle the climate crisis.
The UK’s first high street library of things emerged as a pilot in south London in 2014. There are now many independent libraries of things around the country.
Tideswell Library of Things
Tideswell’s Library of Things was launched in 2026. It is run entirely by volunteers. If you’d like to help, please email us: tidzalot@gmail.com .
Location:
We can be found in the Undercroft, in the Sports Pavilion in Tideswell Community Park, St. John’s Road, Tideswell, SK17 8NZ (adjacent to Bishop Pursglove School).
Opening hours:
What does it cost?
There is a small £5 fee for registering to join our Library of Things, but all loans are then free (although we welcome donations). You can register in person when you borrow your first item. Borrowers must be 18 or over, show a picture ID (if possible), and agree to the Loan Terms and Conditions.
The Terms and Conditions can be read in full here.
Call in to see what we have to offer, and chat to our friendly team. Or check out the full list of items available to borrow by clicking on the red button above to enter the Tideswell Library of Things.
A small selection of the items on loan from Tideswell’s Library of Things……
