A campaign by Paul-Austin
A Library of Things
for Banbury
Borrow what you need. Share what you have. Build a stronger, wealthier, more sustainable Banbury.
Why buy when you can borrow?
A Library of Things is a community-run lending service where residents can borrow everyday items — power tools, garden equipment, camping gear, sewing machines, pressure washers — for a small fee or free of charge, instead of buying something they might use only once or twice.
Across the UK, libraries of things are already saving households hundreds of pounds a year, keeping usable items out of landfill, and bringing neighbours together. London alone has 22 locations. Banbury has none — yet.
Paul-Austin Sargent is calling on Oxfordshire County Council, Cherwell District Council, and local community partners to explore bringing a Library of Things to Banbury.
How a Library of Things works
Browse the catalogue
Members search an online catalogue of available items — from cordless drills to carpet cleaners — and reserve what they need.
Collect locally
Items are picked up from a convenient local hub — a community centre, library, or high-street location. A hub may not be necessary, a central warehouse/storage facility, a delivery van and a series of collection lockers located across the town could also work.
Use it, return it
Borrow for a day, a weekend, or longer. Return the item clean and ready for the next neighbour to use.
Save money, reduce waste
Members save an average of hundreds of pounds a year. Every loan of a thing keeps another item out of landfill and reduces unnecessary purchases of cheaper, less durable equipment.
What could you borrow?
Based on what works in other UK towns and cities, a Banbury Library of Things could stock:
DIY & home improvement
Cordless drills, tile cutters, sanders, jigsaws, ladders, paint sprayers, wallpaper steamers.
Garden & outdoor
Lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, pressure washers, rotavators, garden shredders, compost bins.
Camping & leisure
Tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves, rucksacks, paddleboards, fishing equipment.
Home & lifestyle
Sewing machines, steam cleaners, carpet cleaners, pasta makers, bread makers, projectors.
Events & community
PA systems, speakers, gazebos, folding tables and chairs, bunting, catering equipment.
Children & family
Baby carriers, travel cots, highchairs, children's bikes, sports equipment, board games.
Why Banbury — and why now?
Cost of living pressure
Banbury households are feeling the squeeze. A Library of Things puts money back in people's pockets by eliminating the need to buy items used only occasionally.
Banbury's community infrastructure
A Library of Things would complement existing services and increase footfall for the town and district centres. Pick up lockers can be located across the town.
Oxfordshire's climate commitments
Sharing rather than buying new is one of the most effective ways individuals can reduce their carbon footprint and keep more pounds in their pocket.
Proven model, ready to scale
Library of Things could be off-the-shelf as a licensing model that allows us to launch our own service using established technology, training, and supply chains — no need to start from scratch.
High street regeneration
A Library of Things hub on or near Banbury's historic centre would bring regular footfall to an area that has seen too many empty units in recent years.
Support this campaign
Paul-Austin is gathering evidence of local demand to put to Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council. If you would like to see a Library of Things in Banbury, register your support below.