Background: 

The Buy Nowt LS6 Library of Things was set-up in 2020. This handbook provides details of how we plan to operate and is based upon the values and principles from the Buy Nothing Project website https://buynothingproject.org

Buy Nowt LS6 Library of Things Mission:

Our mission offers a unique opportunity to address inequality, tackle climate change, localise our economy and promote a sense of community cohesion / connectivity. Our Pay-As-You-Feel revenue model gives those without funds, access to resources that they are often financially excluded from and for those who are not affected by such factors the opportunity to share, gift, and still benefit, whilst at the same time address these imbalances of inequality. Environmental and social benefits are at the heart of what the Library of Things seeks to provide.

Buy Nowt LS6 Library of Things Principles:

● We believe local groups strengthen the social fabric of their communities, and ensure the health and vitality of each member.

● We come from a place of abundance ~ not scarcity.

● We believe in abundance, we give, we ask, we share, we lend and we express gratitude.

● We will not profit from money received for items, services, donations or grants. Any monies we receive will go back into the running and development of the Buy Nowt LS6 – Library of Things.

● We prioritise repairing and seeking second hand items before buying new.

● We measure wealth by the personal connections made and trust between people alongside the positive environmental and social impact made.

● We value people and their stories and narratives above the ‘stuff.’

● We are inclusive at our core and do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, religion, background, sexual orientation, disability, cultural or socio-economic background.

● We value honesty and integrity in all our interactions.

● We value all contributions and gifts as equal whether financial or not; the human connection is the value to project.

● We believe in a Pay-as-you-feel revenue model in both donations and membership.

● We believe every person deserves access to the items they want to borrow, regardless of the scale of their financial contribution in exchange for the borrowed items.

Rules and Criteria for Membership

• Show your humanity.
• Build trust.
• Give generously and receive graciously.
• Support the Pay-as-you-feel model and localised LS6 access to the Library.
• Be open and honest if a borrowed item has become damaged in your care.
• Treat people with the kindness, respect, empathy and dignity they deserve.
• Remember Our Mission and Values.

Grounds for removal are described in this document, including but not limited to:

• Joining the Buy Nowt LS6 Library of Things with a fraudulent account(s) or with the purpose to defraud others.
• Hate speech, cruelty or threats towards or between any member of the Library.
• Intentionally breaking or not returning items to the Buy Nowt LS6 Library of Things.
• Subletting items out after borrowing them from the Buy Nowt LS6 Library of Things.
• Repeated disregard for or use of statements that make it clear you do not agree with the mission, values and criteria of the Buy Nowt LS6 Library of Things.
• Using the project as a means for promoting any personal agenda that doesn’t meet the mission or criteria of the Buy Nowt LS6 Library of Things Project