Climate Action Ilkley’s library of things to borrow is scheduled to open early April 2023.
The ‘Ilkley Thingery’ is a not-for-profit community project which will allow people to borrow items such as power tools, ladders, gazebo and PA equipment for a short period of time, rather than buying - promoting sustainability and reduce waste.
A spokesperson for the project said: “As well as providing a wide range of things to borrow, this exciting new project will provide a space that can be used by small community groups, and we plan to run a repair cafe within the library. Borrowing costs will be kept low to allow as many people as possible to benefit from and enjoy the library.”
The ‘Ilkley Thingery’ library will be based at 10 Church Street where items will be stored, the library catalogue will be available via Climate Action Ilkley’s website. Library ‘things’ will be easy to borrow through a membership scheme, with long and short borrowing times available. Opening hours will include weekdays, evenings and weekends. A local delivery service will be available using Climate Action Ilkley’s eCargo bikes, which are free to use although donations are welcomed.
The spokesperson added: “Thank you to the 248 people who completed the survey in December last year, in which we asked you what kinds of things you’d want to borrow from the Ilkley Thingery. We had a great response within that and gained valuable feedback from you.
"The most popular library items within the survey were gardening and power tools, pressure washers, decorating items, sports and activity equipment, and things for entertaining (such as bunting, lighting, glitter balls, crockery, glasses, tables and chairs). We are keen to build a wide collection of things in our library that will be practical and fun.
"We will be setting up the library during February and March; building shelves, collecting donations and getting the library ready for opening in April. If you have any good quality items that you’d be happy to donate to the Ilkley Thingery, want to help us get the library ready for opening, would like to volunteer to help run the library when we open in April, or would like more information, please get in touch with Erika Shilling, our new library project officer. Erika is available via phone 07954561522, or email erika.shilling@ilkleyclimateaction.org.uk
“If you donate items to the library, you will be able to ‘borrow’ those items for free. You can donate things to the library permanently, or for short periods of time and take them back when you want or need them. We will consider accepting anything you have to offer. We hope the Ilkley Thingery will develop over time so that it becomes a valuable part of our Ilkley community.”
The library is being part funded during its first year by Comply Direct, a market leading environmental consultancy and compliance scheme based in Skipton.