Donate or borrow at the Library of Things












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            * Donate or borrow at the Library of Things
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            If you’re planning your first camping weekend in years but your tent isn’t as waterproof a

            - by contrast – you have a food processor doing virtually no slicing and dicing but just g
            at home, try saving both time and money by visiting Kampus Hybernská. Donate what you no l
            borrow an item you do, at the Kampus’ very own Library of Things.

            By now, you’re probably familiar with the concept: to borrow rather than buy within a shar
            generating less waste and avoiding needless spending. The Library of Things at Kampus Hybe
            the city centre not far from Charles University’s Carolinum, was founded by five friends t

            At first, the library boasted only a few dozen objects that were deemed no longer needed f
            then, the number of items visitors can borrow has expanded significantly.

            “Our goal is not to hoard hundreds of things for no reason but to offer quality items whic
            want to borrow because they are needed or prove useful,” says co-founder Petr Žabka. Poten
            attractive are tools or items only needed once in a blue moon which it seems like a waste 

            cites the example of a rotary file: expensive and simply not needed very often except when
            The Library of Things is open to the public two days a week and on average over the two da
            are loaned and ten returned. Interested parties can reserve items online at libraryofthing

            them up later for a fee based on the item’s value and wear-and-tear. People borrow items u
            week at a time but can arrange to borrow them longer if needed. Fees go towards keeping th
            Kampus Hybernská up and running.

            Rebeka van Overloop, a slightly newer member of the team, explains that the greatest deman
            common before the start of the summer, when all kinds of events are being held, repairs mi
            or people need something for their vacation. That usually means camping or sports items, t

            backpacks, or other gear. By contrast, during the year tools are the most common items of 
            with photographic equipment, home items and even musical instruments. The most sought-afte
            year, however, is a home projector.

            As for donated items?
            Rebeka van Overloop explains that it took a while for some people to realise the Library o
            a place just to unload old junk (it was “no thanks” to a used bird cage, for example, or b

            magazines) but most have since gotten the concept. At the same time, she admits, you never
            prove useful. She admits as an unpaid volunteer to having borrowed a home bakery appliance
            long-term and has since almost stopped buying bread. They have three at the Library of Thi

            course ready to bring back hers as well if needed.
            The Library of Things at Kampus Hybernská also serves more than one purpose: the site is a
            workshops on recycling and ecological topics as well as courses of all kinds such as how t

            home compost. There’s a lot to learn and a lot to discover, if you are ready for it. Donat
            another, or learn something useful rather than simply throwing money at problems as they a


            Kampus Hybernská, Hybernská 4, Praha 1
            Opening Hours: Monday and Thursday from 17.30 to 19.30