Over-consumption & Behavior change
Cities are resource-intensive engines. In our pursuit of convenience, we often default to purchasing items we only use once or twice a year—drills, party supplies, specialized kitchenware.
This habit fuels over-consumption, creates waste, and clutters our homes. Amsterdam's strategic goal for a Circular Economy requires a fundamental shift: moving from ownership to access.
View more insights via our Documentary →
THE SERVICE
How the Library of Things helps
Everyone can rent useful & affordable household items from your local high street or community center.
Join & Discover
Unlock Your Local Library: Sign up to browse hundreds of useful items. See exactly what’s available in your neighbourhood, right when you need it.
Reserve & Collect
Book It Instantly: Secure your item easily via our app or at a local counter. Then, grab it 24/7 from a convenient self-service locker near you.
Use & Return
Share the Good: Return the item clean and ready for your neighbours. Feel great knowing you're saving money, reducing waste, and building a stronger community.
PARTICIPATE
What do you want to rent?
To make such initiative work, let your neighbourhood and us know what items are actually in demand. Pin your needs on the map or leave your thoughts to help us stock the local sharing hub.
Data from this map directly influences the inventory of the upcoming Neighborhood Hub.
THE GAP
How far are we from sharing?
Here’s the truth: when we asked your neighbours if they’d use a local library of things, the answer was a resounding "Yes!" But we're realists. We know there's a huge gap between wanting to rent and actually doing it when you're busy, it's raining, and you just need that drill now.
Getting Real with Our Neighbours
So, we got together with local residents for a series of co-creation workshops. We didn't want the "polite" answers.
We wanted the nitty-gritty:
"What would really stop you from using this?"
We used customer journey maps to uncover service pain points and gaps in this wonderful initiative, so it can better serve you!
The "Yeah, but..." Insights
You told us, and we listened. Here are the real-world hurdles we're tackling head-on:
Our commitment is to you
We're building this service for the real world, not the "perfect world." Every insight from these workshops is being used to design an experience that is faster than impulse buying, more reliable than borrowing from a stranger, and as simple as walking to the corner.
VOLUNTEER
Facilitate the initiative in your neighborhood
Do you want to facilitate a Library of Things in your neighborhood?
Discover your early adopters, identify the future opportunities ... Start with this co-creation workshop.
We will see you soon
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