Scotland’s pioneering Lend and Mend Hubs are extending – giving library users access to home maintenance and DIY tools to support sustainable living.
The pioneering Hubs which are managed by SLIC already offer access to sewing machines, embroidery machines and other equipment to encourage clothing repair and reuse. Now library members will be able to use household and gardening tools for free, helping to address inequalities through equitable access to equipment.
Girvan Library in South Ayrshire is the first to launch its new curated collection which includes power washers, wallpaper strippers and a laser distance measurer. The collection, co-designed by SLIC and the service team, brings local knowledge and expertise to the delivery to ensure each Hub is tailored to specific community needs.
Over the coming weeks, library services in Edinburgh, Inverclyde, Kilbirnie, Midlothian, Orkney and Perth will join Girvan in expanding their current Lend and Mend Hub offering. The Hubs will help empower communities to repair, reuse, rent and upcycle everyday items, with free access for everyone to encourage more sustainable habits and reduce reliance on single-use or disposable products.
Reflecting Community Needs
Alison Nolan, Chief Executive of SLIC, said: “What began as a clothing repair pilot has quickly grown into a dynamic, community-powered movement, extending into household and gardening tools to enable people to repair, maintain and improve their homes in a more sustainable way.
“With over 40 million visits to Scotland’s public libraries each year, the Lend and Mend Hubs build on a familiar model of borrowing and extend it into new, practical areas of everyday life. By co-designing these Hubs with local teams, we’re ensuring they reflect real community needs, providing free access to tools, resources and learning that help people save money and gain new skills while reducing waste and tackling inequality.
“The expansion of the Lend and Mend network collections marks an exciting chapter for Scotland’s public libraries and we’re proud that the services are once again demonstrating their vital role at the heart of inclusive, sustainable change.”
Claire McCormick, Assistant in Charge of Girvan Library, South Ayrshire, added: “Our community has always embraced innovation, and this new collection of DIY tools will open up even more opportunities for people to repair, reuse and upskill – right on their doorstep.
“It’s about more than just borrowing tools, it’s about empowering individuals, supporting wellbeing and strengthening community resilience. We’re proud to be part of an initiative that makes sustainability both accessible and meaningful for everyone involved.”
It is expected the other Lend and Mend Hubs will be ready to launch their new collections by autumn 2025.
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