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August Update: BBC Surrey, Green Screens, Guitars and a care package from Surrey Wildlife Trust

 

With the successful relaunch of the Guildford Library of Things now a distant memory, the team have been busy providing record numbers of loans, doing interviews for local news and adding new item donations to the catalogue.

 

In this blog, we'll dive into the latest additions that could have you strumming a guitar around the campfire, creating your own YouTube channel, or even exploring local wildlife with our new monitoring kits. Plus, we’ll share some impressive stats, feature your stories, and highlight our recent media appearances.

Library of Things in Numbers

Since launching in June, the Guildford Library of Things has:

• Over 370 members
• Grown our catalogue to 106 items
• Delivered 163 loans

Putting that into the amount saved for the community that roughly comes to

• £10,600 saved
• 2.5 tonnes of CO2e avoided

 

New items: Green screens, guitars and a special wildlife project

This month we had a fantastic time speaking with members about their DIY projects, camping trips (and if you have a story you’d like to share you can do so by clicking here).

 

We’re delighted to share new items now available in the catalogue thanks to donations from current members.

 

Green Screen

 

Tom from Guildford Library and Fiona showing off the new green screen

A green screen is a useful add-on for upping your videomaking or photography game. Whether it’s making top tier tik-toks or filming interviews on the moon, we’re sure some of you out there will be happy.

Thank you Fiona for dropping by with this lovely bit of kit, once used by her professional video-maker son.

Spanish Guitar

Tom from Zero Carbon Guildford testing out the new guitar
Yes, that’s right. You can now belt out songs round the camp fire, or perhaps throw a surprise gig for your family.
Thanks to Ben for the donation and we look forward to seeing what creativity our community can bring… perhaps a library theme tune?

Surrey Wildlife Trust Monitoring Kits

Last but not least is a whole treasure trove of items used to learn about what nature is up to in your area. 

Wildlife Recording Kits are like little toolboxes that help you see what animals and plants are living in your area. They come with special equipment to help you find and identify different species. By using these kits, you can learn more about the wildlife around you, which helps you make better choices to protect and support them. It’s a simple way to understand and care for nature right in your own backyard or community! 

The project is run in partnership with Surrey Wildlife Trust, Zero Carbon Guildford and Godalmings environmental charity What Next?

Click here to learn more

We’re on the news!

The library has made it onto BBC Radio Surrey, BBC news and appeared on That’s TV Surrey. We’re particularly happy with BBC Surreys facebook post which got over 400 likes!

 
 

Your stories

You may not realise it, but after every loan you can fill out a feedback form about your borrowing experience, here’s what you had to say this time round:

“I was very excited to borrow a heat gun and a jigsaw from the Library of Things. We're renovating our spare room, and so it was great to use the heat gun to strip the peeling paint off an old windowsill, and to cut out some wood for some new cabinet doors with the jigsaw. My husband also re-pointed the patio with the pointing set! These tools cost money and take up space, and aren't really used very frequently, so it was wonderful to be able to borrow (and then return) them! Thanks so much to Guildford Library of Things”

“I borrowed an orbit sander to strip and repaint our front door frame. It took about an hour to sand down in total, and worked really well. Will definitely be using for the next DIY project!”

“I didn't know I needed this trolley, but borrowed it in case it was useful during a house move. It turned out to be invaluable, partly for heavy awkward items, but mostly a really great enabler for easily and safely doing a lot of the move on my own. Will definitely use again.”

“I moved into my place a year ago and never knew my patio tiles were different colours until I borrowed the pressure washer from the library of things! Super easy process and definitely recommend.”

“extremely useful that i can try out the tools before i make a decision to purchase it or not. like the loppers, i now know it is not necessary to buy one for myself. i can just borrow from the library for few times a year, easy!”

Thank you for all your lovely feedback, and please keep it coming!