Library of Things consultation

We asked

As part of Barnet’s ambition to be a net zero borough by 2042, we asked for your views on introducing a Library of Things to East Finchley. A Library of Things is just like a normal library except instead of books you can borrow things like lawnmowers, carpet cleaners, air fryers and games consoles – for a small daily fee.

You said

A total of 372 questionnaires were completed. Most responses were from residents, and approval for a Library of Things (LoT) was overwhelmingly positive: 365 out of 372 (98%) selected that they would borrow at least one item. Out of the seven who would not use it, four said they didn’t need the items available, and three would buy them directly.

From a selected of all LoT items, the top five most popular that people would like to borrow were carpet cleaner (288), pressure washer (239), gazebo (180), extendable Ladder (171) and hedge trimmer (148). 38% said they would use a LoT every two to three months. 20% said monthly and 19% every four to six months. 13% said as and when needed.

Respondents are mobile and happy to travel short distances. A LoT doesn’t have to be on their doorstep but must be accessible from a car as well as walking and cycling. Almost 50% would be happy to drive up to 5 miles to get to a LoT. Over 40% would prefer only to walk or cycle.

Tarling Road Community Hub in East Finchley is an option for the first LoT location. Although not an ideal location, comments are mostly positive and identify the strengths of that site. 62% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that this was a good location. Based on comments many respondents live near to Tarling Road Community Hub or felt that the location was highly accessible by car or bicycle. Only 9% disagreed that it was a good location and felt that it was out of the way, and not near a town centre. Other popular locations mentioned were Colindale, Edgware, Finchley Central, High Barnet and North Finchley.

You can read more information in the full consultation report.

We did

We have listened to feedback and will work to bring a Library of Things to the borough.

Although not a site under consideration when the consultation opened, Barnet Council will first pursue Edgware as a priority site. The site (a vacant Argos Unit on the high street), managed by partners TfL and Ballymore, is in a better location with higher footfall and greater public transport accessibility. A library of Things will initially be installed and run for approximately three years (in lieu of the site’s long-term reconstruction as part of proposals for Edgware’s regeneration).

This will help to test the usage of a Library of Things in Barnet and will also benefit Edgware adding a new amenity to the town centre that could become permanent. The Library of Thing’s performance will be monitored, and the council will revisit the Tarling Road Community Hub site pending the Edgware site’s success.