Library of Things

What Library of Things does

Library of Things Ltd is a London-based, mission-locked social enterprise founded in 2014 by three co-founders (Bex, Emma Shaw, Sophia Wyatt) that operates a network of self-service locker kiosks from which members can borrow household tools, cleaning equipment, gardening machinery, and entertainment devices for daily rental fees. The company began as a grassroots lending experiment at West Norwood Library and has grown to 22+ sharing libraries across London embedded in libraries, shopping centres, and community hubs, supported by partnerships with 18+ UK local authorities including Hackney, Camden, Islington, Merton, and the City of London Corporation. The technology stack combines a consumer-facing website for browsing and reserving items, a back-end admin interface for managing catalogue, users, maintenance and impact measurement, a network of PIN-access self-serve lockers, and a proprietary impact calculation methodology developed with external consultants to quantify waste diverted, CO2 emissions saved, and money saved by members.

The business operates three revenue streams: (1) usage-based consumer rentals priced at 'a few pounds a day' with a £1 joining fee and late fees at 1.5x daily cost; (2) recurring platform licensing to councils, community organisations, housing providers, and retailers at £25/month for software-only or hybrid packages bundling software with 10-30-unit locker hardware (£6k-£22k upfront plus £25-£1,000/month); and (3) one-time hardware sales and installation fees for self-serve locker systems. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer self-serve kiosks, channel partnerships with councils and community organisations, and an enterprise sales motion targeting local authorities through a three-phase service-design, pilot, and city-wide rollout programme. International licensing partners include Cevasa (Spain), Sugarbox (UK), Dublin (Ireland), and the Dutch cities of Amersfoort and Amsterdam.

Ownership is structured for mission permanence rather than equity returns: the company is a private company limited by shares in which the three co-founders hold equal A-share voting rights, Things Trust (a non-profit) holds a Guardian Share with veto rights over exits and major asset sales, B shares have been issued to directors and mission-aligned investors, and directors are legally bound to consider People and Planet equally with Profit. The company has raised only £15,000 of disclosed equity (a 2016 crowdfunding round from 250 local residents) and a non-dilutive Innovate UK Smart Grant in 2022, operating primarily on operating revenue, council partnership fees, and grant funding rather than institutional venture capital.

Name

Library of Things

Legal name

Library of Things Ltd

Website

https://libraryofthings.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Library of Things Ltd operates a London-based network of self-service locker kiosks that lets members borrow household tools and equipment for daily fees, and licenses its sharing-library platform and lockers to UK councils and international partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Sharing and Rental Services

NAICS

Other Warehousing and Storage (49319)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Library & Learning Space Managed Operations (Circulation, Scheduling, Staffing) (EDAEALAL), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Item rental service
• Sharing economy platform
• Community lending library
• Circular economy services
• Self-service kiosks

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Item Rental Fees: Members pay daily rental fees (described as 'a few pounds a day') to borrow tools, equipment and household items from self-service kiosks. Late fees of 1.5x daily cost apply for overdue returns. Concession memberships offer 25% discount for eligible members.
2. Platform Licensing: License fees for organisations (councils, community groups, retailers) wanting to launch their own sharing libraries. Software-only option at £25/month billed annually, or bundled with physical lockers ranging £6k-£14k upfront plus monthly fees.
3. Locker Hardware and Installation: One-time fees for design, fabrication and installation of self-serve locker systems. Prices vary by locker count (10-30 units) and operator model (self-operated vs Library of Things operated).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Library of Things operates self-service locker kiosks in community spaces where members pay a £1 joining fee plus daily rental fees to borrow household items such as drills, carpet cleaners, projectors and sewing machines. The company also licenses its proprietary platform (software, lockers, supply chain and behaviour change expertise) to councils, community organisations and international partners who want to launch their own sharing libraries under their own brand.

Product overview

Library of Things is a peer-to-peer rental platform enabling users to borrow useful household items (tools, cleaning equipment, entertainment devices) from self-service locker kiosks located in community spaces like libraries and high street locations. The offering consists of a consumer-facing borrowing service (core platform for browsing, reserving, and renting items) and a separate licensing platform (offered to councils, community organizations, and other partners who wish to launch their own sharing libraries using Library of Things' software, lockers, and operational know-how).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library of Things Borrowing Service Self-service rental service allowing members to borrow useful household items such as drills, carpet cleaners, sewing machines, projectors, sound systems and GoPros from 22+ locker kiosk locations in London for a daily fee of a few pounds.
• Library of Things Licensing Platform White-label platform licensing solution for local governments, organizations, retailers and communities to launch and operate their own item sharing libraries. Includes purpose-built software, self-serve lockers, supply chain support, and behaviour change expertise.
• Self-Service Locker Hardware and Installation Design, fabrication and installation of self-serve locker systems for partner organisations. Packages include 10, 20 or 30 locker configurations with self-operated or Library of Things operated models, priced from £6k to £22k upfront plus monthly recurring fees.
• Skillshare Sessions and Repair Events In-person and virtual skillshare sessions where members learn practical DIY and repair skills from neighbours and community experts. Held at or near sharing library locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members save £10-12 million through rental instead of purchase; 84% of borrowers report saving money
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Greener Cleaner BromleyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partner organisation running community energy advice clinics supporting the free thermal imaging camera campaign. 17 local authority partners participated in the campaign.
• Sustainable MertoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Community organisation partnering with Merton Council to launch and host Morden Library of Things location.
• Think and Do CamdencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Community organisation partnering with Camden Council to host Kentish Town Library of Things location.
• Bright Sparks Reuse & Repair (Digibridge CIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Reuse and repair social enterprise hosting Finsbury Park Library of Things location in partnership with Islington Council.
• Sustainable HackneycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Community sustainability organisation partnering for Hackney Wick and Dalston Library of Things locations.
• BOSCHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquipment supplier providing high-quality power tools and appliances for the sharing library catalogue. Partnership ensures quality, repairable items for borrowing.
• STIHLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier of outdoor power equipment including strimmers and chainsaws for the sharing library catalogue.
• KärchercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier of cleaning equipment including pressure washers and vacuum cleaners for the sharing library catalogue.
• VangominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier of camping and outdoor equipment including tents and gazebos for borrowing.
• The North FaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier of outdoor and camping equipment for borrowing catalogue.
• Things TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organisation holding Guardian Share in Library of Things. External individuals representing community and planet act as legal members to ensure the company stays true to its social mission.
• CevasaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish partner operating sharing library using Library of Things platform.
• SugarboxminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK partner using Library of Things platform for sharing library operations.
• Dublin (City)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIrish capital city partner developing sharing library network using Library of Things platform.
• Amersfoort (City)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDutch city partner implementing sharing library using Library of Things platform.
• Amsterdam (City)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDutch capital city partner developing sharing city initiative using Library of Things platform.
• City of London CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bring Library of Things sharing lockers to Barbican Library in central London. Supported by City of London Corporation's Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund.
• Upper Norwood Library HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-run library hub hosting the original Crystal Palace Library of Things location since 2018. Partner for community events and skillshare sessions.
• Crystal Palace Transition TowncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity sustainability group co-hosting Crystal Palace Library of Things location with Upper Norwood Library Hub.
• London Legacy Development CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment corporation partner for Hackney Wick Library of Things location.
• Benthyg CymrucoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWelsh tool library network using Library of Things platform. Co-Director Becky Harford stated: 'Library of Things have been great partners! The platform is simple for our borrowers to use.'
• Civic StateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivic engagement organisation partnering for Hackney Wick Library of Things location.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fat Llama: UK-based peer-to-peer rental marketplace for items including tools, cameras, and equipment. Closest direct competitor to Library of Things' consumer rental model, differentiated by being marketplace-based rather than inventory-operated.
• Hygglo: Swedish peer-to-peer rental platform for items and equipment, now operating across multiple European markets. Directly comparable sharing-economy model with similar GTM approach of enabling neighbours to lend items to each other.
• Peerby: Dutch peer-to-peer item sharing platform with strong community and sustainability positioning. Highly comparable mission and operating philosophy to Library of Things, with overlap in tool and household item lending.
• Benthyg Cymru: Wales-based tool library network that already licenses the Library of Things platform. Direct comparable operating model of community lending libraries, useful as a benchmark for partner-operated unit economics.

Broad incumbents

• Grover: Germany-headquartered consumer electronics and tech rental subscription platform. A larger, well-capitalised player in the broader access-over-ownership category that competes for share of wallet but focuses on subscription rather than community lending.

Emerging players

• OLIO: UK-based sharing app primarily for food surplus, now extending into broader household item sharing. Overlaps with Library of Things on circular-economy mission and UK community sharing GTM, though focused on food rather than tools.
• Hurr: UK-based fashion rental platform offering access-over-ownership for clothing. Comparable rental-as-a-service business model and UK market footprint, but in a different vertical (apparel vs. tools/household items).
• Vrumi: UK-based peer-to-peer rental marketplace for space and items. Adjacent sharing-economy model with overlapping UK consumer base but primarily focused on space rather than tools and equipment lending.

Others

• The Restart Project: UK-based charity running community repair events and advocating for the Right to Repair. Mission-aligned adjacency that overlaps with Library of Things' skillshare and repair sessions and shares the same council and community partner ecosystem.
• Share Reuse Repair Initiative: UK sector umbrella organisation supporting libraries of things, tool libraries, and repair initiatives. Adjacent infrastructure player that influences the same policy environment and partners with many of the same councils.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/libraryofthings
• Facebookfacebook.com/libraryofgreatthings
• Instagraminstagram.com/library.of.things

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Library of Things