Introduction to & Ethos of the Benthyg Cymru Network
An introduction to who Benthyg Cymru are, our network approach and our toolkit resources
Benthyg Cymru started off just like you, as a small community-run library of things.
We wanted to share our knowledge and expertise so that other communities could start up and run their own library of things, so we set up Benthyg Cymru to build and support a Waleswide network.
Each library in the network will be unique but you will share our core values of:
• Sharing – making use of things already in your community and making them available for everyone to use
• Accessibility – understanding the needs of your community and making sure items are available to everyone no matter their circumstances
• Innovation – finding new ways to reach people
• Inclusion – Benthyg is for everyone – finding ways to make that possible
Since the beginning of 2021, we have worked with communities around Wales, supporting them to set up Libraries of Things using the templates and guidance we have developed in our toolkit.
Our approach is to support communities to create something that speaks to their individual needs, rather than identikit Libraries of Things.
Our toolkit is designed to be flexible and adaptable, making your life easier while still ensuring your Library of Things is unique.
This network approach also enables Libraries of Things across Wales to share learnings, develop best practice and collate data to build up a national picture of borrowing.
Throughout the toolkit, we refer to Benthyg Cymru network members as Benthyg ‘branches’ for brevity.
As above, this does not reflect any expectation that Benthyg Cymru network members should create identical Libraries of Things, nor even that members should use the Benthyg name or branding (although you are very welcome to do so!).
We do, however, ask that you support other network members by sharing learnings and insight, and when appropriate supporting them publicly e.g. on social media. Also, as setout in your Benthyg Cymru Network membership agreement, we ask that you share your anonymised headline data with us to inform our work to grow borrowing around Wales.
This toolkit of resources provides a guide to specific tasks that will help your Library of Things get off the ground with links to key documents that we have developed for you to adapt. We update these resources regularly.
Every community is different, and it is likely you will need to adapt your approach and tailor the order in which you tackle each element according to your project team, the situation, and the community.
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