Stuttgart inspires: The new library of things is booming!

Stuttgart inspires: The new library of things is booming!

Sustainability and community benefits are the focus of the new “Library of Things” in Stuttgart, which opened their goals three months ago. Here Sanctuttgarters can: borrow a large number of useful objects instead of buying them, and not only saving money, but also making a contribution to the environment. This innovative idea, which was initiated by the Stuttgart town council and the pulse group, is currently causing a real trend in city life.

The Nintendo Switch is particularly high in the course. This is also evident from the 17 reservations that are available for the popular game console. But not only the console is of interest: ten people have already registered with a wildlife camera, and an electric potter disc is attracting three interested loan people. On the other hand, the avalanche probe that has never been borrowed is less in demand - maybe that is related to the season.

a wide range for everyone

The city library offers fascinating 70 different items that range from photo scanners to various sports equipment to projectors. A crucial feature is that about 75 % of these objects are currently loaned, which underlines the high demand. The loan system works very easily: With a library card, objects for a time window of two months can be borrowed, and at an extremely low price of 2.50 euros per item.

"The concept promotes practical, economical and environmentally friendly use of everyday objects," explains Maggie Helmut, who was instrumental in building this library. The idea is based on reducing the need for purchase and creating space in apartments. Since it is a kind of sharing economy, users learn: inside that you only need occasionally without having to own them. This not only promotes creativity and joy of experimentation, but also social exchange among members.

new approaches and future plans

Around the library of things there are already other plans: over 70 objects have been selected, and some of them were unknown to the employees of the city library itself. Interested users have also signaled their tendency to donations in kind, and the city library now checks options for how they can be brought in sensible. In order to counter the waiting times for popular objects, further copies of the most sought -after things are to be purchased.

The model of the "Library of Things" has role models. Historically, Ludotheken has been showing how toys and leisure equipment can be provided for the community since the 1970s. There are also similar approaches in other cities or countries that enable access to various objects. According to wikipedia , numerous providers in Switzerland, such as the first library of its kind, have successfully implemented the model.

in Stuttgart, the experiment seems to have a resounding effect. The "library of things" could not only become an ecological showcase project, but also become known as a place of encounter and creative exchange in the city.