Orkney Library selected for pioneering ‘Lend and Mend Hub’ project

We have been asked to share that the Orkney Library & Archive 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), Orkney Library & Archive 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 Kirkwall-based 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:

• Orkney Library & Archive
• Aberdeen Central Library, Aberdeen
• Wester Hailes Library, Edinburgh
• Forfar Library, Forfar
• South West Library, Inverclyde
• Kilbirnie Library, Kilbirnie
• Gorebridge Library, Midlothian
• A K Bell Library, Perth
• Girvan Library, South Ayrshire

Five of the services selected to take part in the pilot scheme were announced late last year, and work to source equipment, upgrade the space and train staff to deliver this promising project in these areas is well underway. It is expected these public libraries - in Aberdeen, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Perth and South Ayrshire - will open their ‘Lend and Mend Hubs’ for public use early this year, with the other four services expected to open later in 2023.

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.

Vikki Kerr, Team Manager at Orkney Library & Archive, said: “We are thrilled here at Orkney Library & Archive in Kirkwall to have been selected to take part in this innovative and exciting Lend and Mend Hub project. 

“Orkney is a world leader in renewable energies and there is a real community effort to focus on the circular economy, re-using and recycling, especially in the current economic climate.

“We are very much looking forward to seeing what our communities want from our Lend and Mend Hub, and by working together with local groups and partners we will be able to provide free access to equipment, space and a diverse lending library of non-traditional items. The introduction of training sessions and educational workshops will allow people to gain skills and develop knowledge to help promote the circular economy and widen our impact on increasing environmental challenges.”