If I had a nickel every time I needed a glue gun! Well, I would probably have about 55 cents but that has always given me something to think about. As we are looking at things that we need in the community, we are also looking at the things we need in our homes and what can be shared. This is not a different or unusual model than what we see in other, more tribal-minded countries, or even back in the day to when people were more apt to borrow a cup of sugar or an egg, because it just didn't make sense to go and buy a pound of sugar just then or a dozen eggs.
The same should apply to the present world and other things other than food. We have a lot more that needs to be done on a daily basis and better technology to manage it for more families. It is all pretty simple, someone near you has the thing you need.
More importantly than just convenience, there are people in our current community in need and the fixes are relatively simple for an active community. For example, this year has seen a number of people who have had to adjust to changing physical and financial circumstances. The Life Co-operative has worked with several Meals on Wheels organizations that have gone out of business due to budget cuts. People in the area are losing out on food, but the underlying and downstream impacts are not as recognized.
Many organizations that support Meals on Wheels institutions had other mandates as well. They would check on their clients well being and simply be someone for them to talk to for a few moments when the food is dropped off. Some organizations would do things like mow lawns or make small home repairs for those in need. Those are fading away and often it is all they can do to get them meals.
The Library of Things is going a long way towards combating this. Can we create a group that helps each other's aging parent or watches each other's kids, or, at least, mows a lawn or rakes some leaves. Hence, The Library of Things, or LoTs.
It is simple, really. A group of people are chipping in to spread out the cost of buying big, useful things that they are can share and check out, much the way one can check out a book. Use it for a few days or a week for special projects or emergencies and return it. That easy. When not in use for patrons , those tools and things will be used by our helping hands to do things in the community overall.
Many hands make light work and there are a lot of things in the works, but we think this is a good place to start. If you live in the Decatur/Atlanta area and want to join The Library of Things, please send us an email at thelifecooperative@gmail.com
Rates are $10 to $30 for the first year a lot cheaper than renting or buying, am I right? So contact us if you have other questions or would like to sign up.
The same should apply to the present world and other things other than food. We have a lot more that needs to be done on a daily basis and better technology to manage it for more families. It is all pretty simple, someone near you has the thing you need.
More importantly than just convenience, there are people in our current community in need and the fixes are relatively simple for an active community. For example, this year has seen a number of people who have had to adjust to changing physical and financial circumstances. The Life Co-operative has worked with several Meals on Wheels organizations that have gone out of business due to budget cuts. People in the area are losing out on food, but the underlying and downstream impacts are not as recognized.
Many organizations that support Meals on Wheels institutions had other mandates as well. They would check on their clients well being and simply be someone for them to talk to for a few moments when the food is dropped off. Some organizations would do things like mow lawns or make small home repairs for those in need. Those are fading away and often it is all they can do to get them meals.
The Library of Things is going a long way towards combating this. Can we create a group that helps each other's aging parent or watches each other's kids, or, at least, mows a lawn or rakes some leaves. Hence, The Library of Things, or LoTs.
It is simple, really. A group of people are chipping in to spread out the cost of buying big, useful things that they are can share and check out, much the way one can check out a book. Use it for a few days or a week for special projects or emergencies and return it. That easy. When not in use for patrons , those tools and things will be used by our helping hands to do things in the community overall.
Many hands make light work and there are a lot of things in the works, but we think this is a good place to start. If you live in the Decatur/Atlanta area and want to join The Library of Things, please send us an email at thelifecooperative@gmail.com
Rates are $10 to $30 for the first year a lot cheaper than renting or buying, am I right? So contact us if you have other questions or would like to sign up.
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