Find A Venue
Guidance on what kind of space and considerations are needed for a Library of Things.
Sometimes, the trickiest part of starting a Library of Things is finding a suitable venue.
Ideally, you need somewhere with generous storage space, accessible to the community and free of charge or on a nominal rent, but that’s not always possible!
If you already have a venue, that’s brilliant and will allow you to move on to the next stage.
If not, you will need to start talking to people and community groups you have already identified in your area. Conducting a survey, attending local community events or holding a group meeting can provide much-needed. However, try to find a location that is easily accessible by the public, input and support.
Additionally, local councillors or your local council's sustainability team may be useful in finding storage space.
Finding a location that is easily accessible by the public, considering public transport options and parking access is paramount to ensuring a "good start". It’s also important to consider the safety and security of the space and surrounding area for both your team and visitors.
Sharing premises with another organisation that aligns with your ethos is ideal for getting people through the door and building up a buzz.
Ideally the space would at minimum be 5m x 5m but that is not always possible so be as flexible as you can be to start with.
Your space will need access to electricity- consider how many points you will need to run a laptop/computer, test electronic items, PAT testing and repairs.
You will also need access to running water to clean library items when needed, conduct item maintenance, wash hands and, of course, make a well-deserved cuppa!
You also need to consider where your staff and volunteers can access toilet facilities, they need to be accessible and always available during your opening hours.
Ideally, your space would have internet access, if not there are mobile internet hubs you can use instead.
You will also need to consider the ongoing costs, where a large space may be perfect for storage and skill-sharing activities, you need to bear in mind the ongoing running costs of lighting and heating a space.
Aside from storage space, you will need somewhere to administer the library- a desk/table space and space to check over items/ conduct maintenance.
Even if you only have a cupboard for storage, you can start offering a few items to borrow and grow from there!
Whatever venue you use, it’s important to consider all the health, safety and fire requirements and ensure that any checks and risk assessments are carried out by qualified and competent persons.
If you are sharing a venue make sure that you work together to ensure you are meeting all legal safety health and safety requirements and have shared/ integrated policies to reflect all the activities happening in the space.
We would also recommend reviewing the section on venue risk mitigation in the Risk MitigationTouchpoints document in Chapter 7.
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