The Concept of the "Library of Things" and Its Implementation in the 21st Century: From the Sharing Economy to a Social Hub The concept of the "Library of Things" (LoT) represents an evolutionary leap in the development of library services, reincarnating the basic library principle of collective access to resources in the context of the challenges of the 21st century: hyperconsumption, ecological crisis, digital inequality, and societal atomization. This is not just a new service, but a philosophical and practical alternative to the ownership model, transforming public libraries into centers of circular economy and social capital. 1. Philosophical and Economic Premises: Why "Things"? The idea originated at the intersection of several global trends: Sharing Economy: Following the success of short-term rental models for housing (Airbnb) and transportation (car sharing), it was logical to apply this logic to everyday demand items. Studies show that the average drill is used for only 12-15 minutes over a lifetime, while expensive kitchen appliances or holiday decorations take up space for 99% of the time. Circular Economy: In contrast to the linear "extract-produce-dispose" model, LoT implements the principles of reuse, extending the life cycle of things, and reducing waste. This is the direct operationalization of the ecological agenda at the local level. Social and Financial Inclusion: Access to specialized tools, camping equipment, or children's developmental toys at a symbolic fee (or for free) reduces the financial barrier for hobbies, education, home repairs, and quality leisure time. This democratizes opportunities, especially for low-income groups, youth, and the elderly. 2. Implementation Models: From Library Branches to Independent Projects LoT exists in various organizational formats: Integration into public libraries (the most widespread model in Europe): For example, in the Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia, many municipal libraries allocate areas for " ... Read more