‘Portsmouth Library of Things’ is a community library with items for your home, projects and organisations…we’re here to help you borrow rather than buy.
Borrow
How do I borrow an item?
- Register your details and become a member for as little as £1 a year.
- If you’d like to borrow from a Click & Collect location, add your payment card details in your account and email us photos of your ID(s).
- Browse our catalogue choose an item, click ‘reserve’, and select your collection and return location and dates.
- Collect your item noting when it must be returned and enjoy using it.
- When you’ve finished, check your borrowed items are clean and return them, ready for the next member to borrow.
Remember your ID for your first borrow with us:
Show either one document with photo, name and address (e.g. driving licence) or two documents stating name and address (e.g. utility bill, bank statement).
If using Click & Collect, email us these documents along with your membership number.
What does it cost & how long can I borrow the item for?
Membership fee – a minimum donation of £1 per year.
Borrow Fee – every item comes with a recommended weekly borrow fee, but you’re free to borrow for any length of time. Because our system only works in weekly rates, we’ll sort out any shorter or longer borrowing fees when you collect the item. Fees in our catalogue start from just £1/week.
What can I borrow?
The items range from things to help you do DIY, gardening, cooking, crafting, camping, parties and events. Have a look at our online catalogue to see the full range.
We also stock a range of consumable items to be used alongside items in our library. These are sold individually, so you can buy exactly what you need, reducing waste. Current consumables include: badge making kits, laminating sheets, carpet shampoo, smoke, snow & bubble machine liquid, vacuum bags, sander sheets, blades and staples.
We’re stocking items based on suggestions from Portsmouth residents, and if you have something that you’d like to donate to add to the library, you can find out more about what we’re looking for here.
Where can I collect and return items?
Our main location (the Hub) is on Kingswell Path in Cascades Shopping Centre. Click here for a map and directions.
We’re also trialling Click & Collect from Beddow and Cosham Libraries on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. Before your first collection from one of these locations, add your card details to your account and email us your ID(s) — you won’t need to do this again for future orders. Reserve your items by midnight on Sunday to collect that week.
Some bulky items can only be collected from the Hub in Cascades.
What if it breaks?
If something breaks, let us know as soon as possible so we can try to fix it and keep it available for you and other borrowers. We’re a small charity, so any financial contribution towards repairs is appreciated.
We ask that you return items in the condition you’d hope to receive them, and that you’re open and honest with us if something goes wrong — accidents happen, and we’d rather know than not. As set out in our lending agreement, we reserve the right to remove membership if an item is damaged through irresponsible use.
Why use a Library of Things?
There are many benefits to borrowing rather than buying:
Save money
Three quarters of household items are used less than once a month, so by borrowing rather than buying, we’re saving when it comes to the initial cost, storing, repairing and disposing. Sharing the costs across our community, saves money.
Save space
We don’t all have the space to store items that we infrequently use, whether that’s personally or as community groups, so being able to borrow these items as required, is a great way to save on space.
Save carbon
We’re all aware that we need to save carbon and reducing what we consume is a great way to do that. Many objects require vast amounts of raw materials and carbon before they even start getting used, so sharing, repairing and using pre-loved items are all great ways to reduce consumption and carbon.
Our Terms and Conditions
When you sign up to become a member of Portsmouth Library of Things you’ll be asked to read and agree to the following:
Other Places to Borrow
Libraries of things are starting to emerge in communities across the country and we will add links to other local options as they develop. There is also the amazing Connors Toy Library in Portsmouth, see their link below.
There are many hire companies in the city that offer vehicles, tools, dresses and more. We’re hoping to build an online directory to list them all soon.
- Connors Toy Library
- Havant Library of Things
- National Directory of Libraries of Things – Ethical Consumer
- Local Hire Business Directory (coming soon)
Happy Members
Amazing contribution to sustainable living. Very affordable item hire, easy communication and great customer service.
Samantha
Love the whole ethos, repair and borrow! So far I’ve borrowed: a drill, power washer and carpet cleaner….saved me so much money. And the volunteers are just gorgeous, helpful and friendly!
