A Perth man is bidding for the city to become the first in Scotland to host a Library of Things.
Grant Stephens is aiming to raise support for the initiative, which is designed to help reduce waste and save people money.
A Library of Things allows the public to borrow items such as DIY, cooking, cleaning and gardening goods.
Users can reserve an item online, collect it from a kiosk and then return it after use for a fee.
The kiosks are usually based in public spaces such as traditional libraries.
Grant, who has lived in Perth for about two years, said: “I first used a Library of Things when I was living in London but I hadn’t heard of it before then.
“They have stuff you might only use once or twice a year: steam cleaners, hedge trimmers, drills, for example.
“You can reserve it, pick it up and then use it when you need. It’s about reducing waste and it can save you money.”
Perth Library of Things could be first in Scotland
There are only 11 Libraries of Things in the UK but only one of them is located outside of London, in Brighton.
In order to get one to Perth, Grant first needs to get 250 people to sign up on his campaign page.
If there is enough interest, the national Library of Things team would contact the local council with the aim of securing the set-up fee required to get the project moving forward.
Grant, 34, a software developer, said: “I’ve got more than 35 signatures in less than a week so far, mostly from friends and people I know.
“If I reach 50, they (Library of Things) will share on their social media to get more exposure.
“If we get to 100 we are invited to a call with the Library of Things team to discuss next steps.
“Then if we get to 250 signatures it then gets taken to the council.”
How does a Library of Things work?
The Library of Things kiosks have to be in areas that have high footfall and are publicly accessible.
These places can include libraries, community centres, leisure centres and community cafes.
They have to be open at least six days a week and be staffed during opening hours.
Charges for borrowing items are calculated on a per-day or per-week basis.
When a location for a Library of Things is secured, the organisation then works with partners to secure £50,000 – including through crowdfunding – to run it.
What kind of items can you borrow?
A variety of normally expensive items can be made available through a Library of Things.
The charges depend on the item you wish to borrow and how long you take it out.
For example, based on current prices at other libraries, if you wanted to borrow a carpet cleaner it may cost you £19.50 per day.
A wallpaper stripper would typically cost £4 a day or £16 per week.
Gardening tools such as a hedge trimmer are priced at £9 for each day you loan it or £36 each week. Garden shears would cost £2 a day or £8 per week.
Examples of other items normally made available through the library include:
- Dehumidifier
- Steam cleaner
- Strimmer
- Lawnmower
- Shredder
- Projector
- Speaker
- Sewing machine
- Waffler make
- Staple gun
- Heater.
Conversation