Woking Library of Things

The Woking Library of Things is located in Woking Library:

Gloucester Walk, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6EP

No, you do not need to be a member of Woking Library. We use a different system to register your account with the Woking Library of Things.

Borrowing items is free! We only need your card details in case something gets lost or damaged.

We only need card details in case something gets lost or damaged. Guildford have been running a Library of Things since 2021 and so far have not had to charge anyone! We very much hope that Woking will be the same.

We use a secure card service (Stripe) to securely manage card details and only need to hold them while you have a reservation, or an item on loan and for 7 days after you return the item. You can login to your account, select Payment Method and delete your card. Then next time you want to reserve an item you can add you card details back in again.

You can create an account and start borrowing in just a few minutes. It’s quick and easy, but if you have any problems you can ask the library team or you email us by clicking here: Contact Us

We have about 30 items in our inventory. We’ve focused on power tools, home gadgets and gardening tools for now. You can check the full inventory here.

Our items are checked regularly by maintenance volunteers from our Repair Cafe Team, but if something doesn’t seem right, please stop using the item and contact us by emailing LOTteam@wokingenvironmentaction.org

Mistakes can happen and as a free service we’re not going to charge people unfairly. That said, we may charge a repair fee or up to the full replacement cost of the item if it has been lost, used improperly or unreasonably damaged. The most up-to-date guidance is in the Hire Agreement.

We are not planning to charge late fees, and if people return things on time, then we won’t have to change this!

Maybe! We only have a relatively small space for items at the moment. However please let us know if you have an item in good working condition. We’re mainly interested in things that people only have to use occasionally to avoid buying them. If you’d like to donate something please contact us by emailing us at LOTteam@wokingenvironmentaction.org

Yes you can! If an item is listed as ‘In Stock Now’ you’re welcome to reserve it and head straight to Woking Library to collect. Please check opening hours.

If you can pick up in the following couple of days then that should be fine. However if you think you will be later than that please email us at lottteam@wokingenvironmentaction.org to let us know. If you think you won’t be able to collect at all, then please cancel your reservation, so that someone else can borrow the item(s).

To avoid disappointment we recommend reserving items in advance before making the journey to Woking Library. However if you are in the library and want to see what we have available please chat to the friendly staff on reception and they may be able to help you borrow an item there and then.

To make sure we’re loaning out things to the right person, we require photo ID when collecting items. The ID must match the name on the account.

However, we understand that it’s really useful to have someone else collect your item(s) for you. Of you’re going to send someone else to get your item(s) they must either be the second person on your account, OR, you must have informed us beforehand by emailing us via email to LOTteam@wokingenvironmentaction.org giving us the name and address of the authorised person.

Please note that anyone collecting items from Woking Library of Things must have photo ID that matches the information we have and they must be over 18.

Yes you can! You can have two individuals named on a single account. Handy if you and your significant other/ housemate/ friend would like to collect each other’s items(s).

To add a second user, go to your ‘Account’ page, the select ‘Personal Info’, and then select ‘Secondary Info’. Fill in the information and then click ‘Save’ at the bottom.

Please note that in order for your second person to collect your item(s) they must have photo ID that matches the information we have and they must be over 18.

Please email us at LOTteam@wokingenvironmentaction.org if you have ideas of other things that you think would be useful for us to stock. We’ll review these with the Woking Library team and see if we can afford/fit them in!

1.Resource sharing
It empowers people to share tools, equipment or items they only need occasionally — reduces waste and unnecessary purchases.
2. Cost savings for community
Members save money by borrowing rather than buying things they may use only once or rarely.
3. Environmental benefit
Fewer products purchased, less waste, lower carbon footprint in manufacturing ‘one-off’ items. Promotes sustainable consumption.
4. Community building
Brings people together, fosters trust and cooperation, encourages social interaction as folks share, maintain, and manage items together.
5. Access and equality
Gives access to items for people who might not be able to afford them otherwise, broadens what’s available to all.
6. Promotes reuse culture
Encourages mindset shift away from ownership + accumulation, toward reuse, borrowing and sharing.
7. Utilisation of idle assets
Things lying idle in people’s garages/cupboards could be used by someone else — increases efficiency of resource use.
8. Education & awareness
Can be a way to teach people about sustainability, environmental impact, waste, consumption – raising awareness locally.

Financial donations to support the running costs of the Library of Things would be very welcome. This would also help us provide additional items for people to borrow. You can make a donation online here.

Please check out this webpage for membership details (it’s free!) and how to sign up for our newsletter.