The Library of Things

The Library of Things, developed by Šiauliai County Povilas Višinskis Public Library, is the first initiative of its kind in the Baltic region, offering free access to over 200 educational, sensory, creative, and practical items for community use. At its core, the project tackles social inequality by removing financial and social barriers to essential learning and development tools — especially for families with limited means and for neurodivergent children and youth. The Library of Things is currently operating in four cities: Šiauliai, Telšiai, Pakruojis, and Akmenė.

The collection includes sensory kits, musical instruments, STEM and Montessori tools, sports equipment, and more — supporting emotional well-being, creativity, and everyday problem-solving. Special attention is given to the needs of neurodiverse users, with video tutorials and accessible guidance ensuring inclusive use.
By fostering a culture of sharing, cooperation, and responsible consumption, the initiative strengthens community ties and promotes sustainable living. The Library of Things empowers individuals to learn, grow, and connect — regardless of income, background, or ability — making the library a true enabler of equity, dignity, and local resilience.

Problem addressed

In many communities, access to educational, creative, and sensory tools remains a privilege — limited by financial constraints, lack of space, or systemic inequality. Families with lower income, educators with scarce resources, and individuals with special needs, particularly neurodiverse children, often cannot afford items that support learning, emotional regulation, or self-expression. Essential tools such as sensory equipment, Montessori materials, or musical instruments are often out of reach for those who need them most.

Moreover, many valuable items are underused or discarded due to infrequent need, contributing to waste and unsustainable consumption patterns. Public institutions rarely provide inclusive, dignified ways for people to access such tools without stigma or bureaucracy.

The Library of Things addresses this gap by offering free, non-discriminatory access to a wide range of items that support personal development, education, well-being, and inclusion, while fostering a culture of sharing, mutual support, and environmental responsibility. It redefines what a public library can be — not just a place for books, but a platform for social empowerment and sustainable community life.

Innovative solution

The Library of Things reimagines the role of a public library as a socially innovative platform that offers not only access to information but also to physical resources essential for learning, creativity, and well-being. As the first initiative of its kind in Lithuania and the Baltic region, it transforms traditional library services by allowing users to borrow over 200 items — from sensory tools and educational games to musical instruments and exploration tools such as microscopes and telescopes — entirely free of charge.

What makes this solution innovative is its holistic and inclusive design:

1) It directly supports neurodiverse users, families, and educators by providing access to high-quality tools that would otherwise be unaffordable.
2) It includes instructional videos and printed guides for effective use, particularly for parents of children with special needs.
3) It leverages community donations, encourages circular use of resources, and strengthens local ties through shared ownership and trust.
4) It promotes dignified borrowing without stigma, integrating sustainable practices and inclusive services into everyday life.

This model is easily replicable in other regions and proves that public libraries can be active agents of social change, enabling equity, creativity, and sustainability at the community level.

The Library of Things initiative developed by Šiauliai County Povilas Višinskis Public Library (Lithuania) was inspired by the United States, one of the global pioneers of this concept. Public libraries across the U.S., such as those in Sacramento, Berkeley, and Ann Arbor, have long implemented item-lending services that go beyond books — offering tools, tech kits, instruments, and household items to promote equity, sustainability, and lifelong learning. These models demonstrated the library’s evolving role as a community empowerment hub.
In recent years, similar initiatives have emerged in European countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, where Libraries of Things operate through public libraries or community-run centres. These projects share core values of resource-sharing, social inclusion, and environmental responsibility, proving adaptable to diverse social and cultural contexts.
Building on these international inspirations, the Lithuanian model introduced a unique focus on neurodiversity, educational equity, and regional inclusion, making it the first of its kind in the Baltics and a replicable good practice in both library and social innovation sectors.

Key results and benefits

Since its launch, the Library of Things has demonstrated a clear and growing need within the community. Over 1,300 residents have already used the service, with many items in constant circulation and waiting lists extending for several months. This sustained demand highlights not only the practical value of the collection but also its role in supporting inclusive education, creativity, and well-being.
Importantly, the initiative has succeeded in engaging new user groups who do not typically visit libraries, thereby broadening cultural participation and strengthening social inclusion. It offers an accessible entry point into the library space for families, educators, and individuals with diverse needs — turning the library into a vibrant and responsive community hub.
In recognition of its impact, the project was awarded the "DĖK’ui of the Year" prize at the 2024 Waste Culture Awards, organised by the Vilnius Regional Waste Management Centre. The project received over 11,000 public votes, earning the highest level of support among all nominated initiatives. The award celebrates initiatives that promote reuse practices and the sharing of sustainable ideas — confirming the Library of Things as a leading example of environmental and social innovation in the Baltic region.

The Library of Things initiative, developed and coordinated by Šiauliai County Povilas Višinskis Public Library, has already been successfully replicated in three other Lithuanian municipalities: Telšiai, Pakruojis, and Naujoji Akmenė. We led the entire implementation and mentoring process. As a result, the service now forms a geographically expanding network of socially engaged libraries, bringing access to educational and sensory items to wider and more diverse communities. This growing model strengthens interlibrary collaboration and visibility, with a clear long-term vision to scale the initiative nationally, making Library of Things services available in public libraries across all of Lithuania.

Potential for mainstreaming

The Library of Things presents a highly adaptable and scalable model for public libraries, municipalities, and community centres seeking to combine social inclusion, sustainability, and lifelong learning. Its low-barrier, high-impact structure — based on free access, community trust, and resource sharing — makes it replicable across diverse geographic and socioeconomic contexts. The initiative requires modest infrastructure, leverages existing public service frameworks, and allows for flexible localisation based on community needs (e.g., educational, sensory, repair, or hobby-focused collections).

The project has already been successfully expanded from Šiauliai to libraries in Telšiai, Pakruojis, and Akmenė, demonstrating strong potential for regional or national rollout. Its alignment with multiple Sustainable Development Goals and its appeal to both public and private partners (e.g., through donations and local collaborations) make it an ideal candidate for mainstream adoption within library networks, green transition strategies, and inclusion-focused policy agendas across Europe.

By redefining what libraries can offer — not just knowledge, but tools for everyday empowerment — the Library of Things stands as a replicable innovation capable of transforming how public institutions meet modern social needs.