It was just a couple of years ago when a small group of friends had the idea to start a tool library (also known as a Library of Things) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. The idea was exciting, but creating a thriving sharing hub felt daunting. So they began looking for available resources to help them get started and found the Tool Library Alliance (TLA) , which unites tool libraries across the U.S. to foster community resilience, increase sustainability, and build a culture of generosity through the sharing of tools, skills, and knowledge. It was during a TLA workshop that they learned about Shareable’s comprehensive Library of Things Toolkit , a step-by-step guide for anyone to start a sharing project, regardless of a person’s background.

Libraries of Things (LoTs) are community-based systems that make it easier for people to borrow, share, and collectively steward physical resources.…