Introduction to Leamington's Library of Things
Leamington's 'Library Of Things' opened earlier this year to allow people to borrow everyday items that might be too expensive or too bulky to purchase and keep. This initiative is part of a growing movement, with dozens of similar libraries emerging across the country. The volunteers who manage the library hope it will influence how people think about buying and owning items.
The shop began operations in January 2026 and was established by Maurice Herson, who previously ran a similar site in Oxford.
"It's like a library, but anything except books. It's the same idea, you want to read a book, you don't want to buy it. Maybe you just want to see whether you want to buy it, so you borrow it."
Membership and Borrowing Details
Membership at the library is free, and there is a small fee to borrow items. However, volunteers emphasize flexibility regarding borrowing durations, allowing people sufficient time to complete their projects.
The library stocks a variety of household items, equipment, and tools, as well as some unusual items such as bunting, a unicycle, and a popcorn maker.
Donations and Sustainability
Many of the items available for borrowing have been donated. Maurice Herson explained the process:
"People walk through the door and go 'here you go'.
There's a couple of things I've bought in charity shops, but for me the idea is that it has to be second-hand stuff. Somebody's used it, and now we are going to make sure it goes on being used."
User Experiences
Student Emma Harrow borrowed a sewing machine to teach herself how to make alterations to clothes.
"I bought quite a few things second-hand that I wanted to alter, fit me better, that kind of thing.
I'm a student so I don't really have the money to be investing in something like that when I could just borrow it for when I need it and give it back."
The 20-year-old highlighted that owning such an item outright would have been unaffordable.
Neil Puttick, who moved to Leamington a few years ago, borrowed a nail gun to fix some fencing.
"I'm very drawn to the idea of the 'Library of Things'. It's a great concept because I just don't want to fill my garage up with things I don't use very often,"
"If you live in a small house, you don't want all this clobber."
Growth of the Library of Things Concept
The concept of a community household library is expanding rapidly, with new sites opening every few weeks across the UK.
"The idea of a 'Library of Things' has grown over the last 10 years enormously."
"There were like six in the country, we were number seven. Now, there are over a hundred."
Origins and Location
Maurice Herson shared how the idea of opening a site in Leamington came about, noting that people had been asking him due to his experience running a similar project in Oxford.
"One day I cycled past this shop and I saw it was empty, and I had one of those moments."
Leamington's Library of Things operates in a shared space on Bedford Street with Leamington Eco Hub, an organization that collaborates with the community and individuals to promote environmentally friendly living and had been seeking a base.
The 76-year-old founder explained the collaboration:
"I emailed them and said why don't we do it in the same place together. It felt like the universe was telling us we needed to do it."
