The Thing Library
Just like a library is a place where you can borrow books, a Thing Library (also known as a library of things or a tool library) is a place where you can borrow things. Our vision is to reduce waste and facilitate skill-sharing among community members to build resilience and belonging.
In April 2022, the Thing Library opened in London, Ontario, a partnership between the Reimagine Institute for Community Sustainability, Thames Region Ecological Association and the City of London, with support from Libro Credit Union, London Community Foundation, and other community partners.
The library offers a variety of things, such as gardening tools, kitchen tools, home renovation tools, and more!
The Reimagine Institute for Community Sustainability
Reimagine Co, a social enterprise, partners with the Reimagine Institute for Community Sustainability (RICS), which is a federally incorporated not-for-profit. RICS is a member of both the London Environmental Network and the Urban League of London.
Reimagine and RICS share a vision of a world where humans live in peace and harmony with each other and with nature. Our mission is to help people to live more sustainable and connected lives.
The Goals and Objectives of RICS include:
- Develop and provide programs promoting the protection and preservation of the environment through re-use, reduction, recycling and recovery of waste
- Operate a Thing Library, Repair Cafés and related programs in order to preserve household items and to keep them from disposal in a landfill
- Educate the public on the subjects of reducing waste, reusable and refillable alternatives to single-use products, supporting composting, and living more sustainably
- Support local businesses, community and culture, through placemaking initiatives, partnerships and platforms
Current Projects:
The Thing Library is a space where Londoners share and learn together. Just like a library is a place where you can borrow books, the Thing Library is a place where you can borrow things. Launched in April 2022, our vision is to reduce waste and facilitate skill-sharing among community members to build resilience and belonging.
Repair Café - During this 2 hour event, we have community members on hand who can help you with your items that need fixing. If you have a small appliance or piece of clothing or something else that needs fixing, please bring it in and have it repaired. Thanks to our awesome team of volunteer "fixers", more than half of all the broken items that are brought in get repaired!
Earthfest is a collaboration between London environmental organizations that celebrates taking climate action, whose inaugural annual festival takes place on Earth Day, 22 April 2023
Sustainability Workshops - We have presented over 100 free workshops in our space and at local schools, businesses and non-profits, educating Londoners to reduce waste and live more sustainably. Having taken a pause during the pandemic, in May 2022 in-person workshops resumed in the brand new "Reimagine Space", located behind Reimagine Co's grocery store at 206 Piccadilly St, London, ON.
Past Projects:
- Greening Festivals and events - Reimagine Co consults with organizations and event planners to encourage and support them to compost and to reduce waste, and coordinates volunteers to help sort waste and raise awareness at festivals (including VegFest, Go Wild Grow Wild and Sunfest)
- City of Neighbours Day is a People-Powered Festival: 50+ community activities all across London, all on one day, led by all kinds of people. Following successful 2017, 2018 and 2019 events, we hope to bring this back in 2022 - Covid permitting.
- The Place Matters Conference explores how we can enhance our urban experiences and create a strong sense of place for all Londoners. We hope to inspire you to take action in your neighbourhood!