Borrow the object, share the upkeep
A drill or a party machine can spend much of its life in a cupboard. La Manivelle pools objects that people sometimes need and arranges how they can be reserved, borrowed and brought back. Its range is useful because a physical service keeps the objects circulating.
CH SwitzerlandIn practice. Geneva’s La Manivelle makes tools and occasional-use equipment available through a library of things.
What to keep in view
Consult the current membership, opening hours and loan rules before borrowing.
The work behind the catalogue
The library needs to choose objects that can take repeated use and keep them in working order. Volunteers can help with the upkeep and organisation. A borrower also needs clear instructions about collection and return, so the service design matters as much as the number of items on a shelf.
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