Forfar library service selected for pioneering ‘Lend and Mend Hub’ project
Forfar Library has been selected as one of the first in Scotland to host a ‘Lend and Mend Hub’, as part of a trailblazing pilot project helping to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
Managed by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), Forfar Library will build on its current offering to introduce a ‘Lend and Mend Hub’, giving the community free access to repair, reuse, rent and upcycle everyday items, to help keep items in use for longer, rather than them being thrown away.
Funded by The John Lewis Partnership’s £1m Circular Future Fund, the Angus library will join eight other services across Scotland in developing the country’s first circular community hubs, forming a ‘network’ of sustainable ‘Lend and Mend Hubs’ across Scotland.
Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of SLIC, said: “The ‘Lend and Mend Hub’ library project has the potential to create a real impact – especially at a time when all of Scotland’s communities are experiencing economic and environmental challenges.
“The introduction of this network will build on the important role our public libraries play, giving people access to resources they might not otherwise have to support responsible consumption and learning – with the added benefit of it being local and free.
“With all nine public library partners now selected, we can’t wait to see these local library services transform and thrive for the long-term benefit of the communities around them. And with such wide geographical spread and diverse community reach, we believe this pilot project will provide valuable learnings in promoting the urgent need to adopt a more circular way of living and help develop a long-term model for libraries to be a hub of circular economy activities.”
The projects, led by SLIC, follow a co-design approach with all service teams bringing local knowledge and expertise to the delivery to ensure each hub is tailored to community needs. Upon completion, each hub will also introduce an education programme to support new skills development, helping to reduce inequality through equitable access to resources.
Kirsty Sutherland, Libraries Team Lead at ANGUSalive, commented: “We were thrilled to learn that we had been selected to launch our very own Lend and Mend Hub here in Forfar. We will shortly be reaching out to the local community to ask what type of resources they would like to see in the project so they can get the most out of it. This comes at a very exciting time for us as we continue to show the important role that a library plays in the community and that the service we offer is more than just a place to borrow books.”