GIRVAN Library will host a new hub which looks to upcycle everyday items.

The library in South Ayrshire has been selected as one of the first in Scotland to host a ‘Lend and Mend Hub’, as part of a trailblazing pilot project, managed by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC).

Building on its current offering, Girvan Library will introduce a ‘Lend and Mend Hub’, funded by The John Lewis Partnership’s £1m Circular Future Fund, which will help the local community to repair, reuse, rent and upcycle everyday items, with free access for everyone to keep items in use for longer, rather than them being thrown away.

Earlier this year, SLIC’s pioneering ‘Lend and Mend Hubs’ proposition was announced as one of just four UK projects selected to receive funding from the John Lewis Partnership’s Circular Future Fund.

Having now selected five public library partners, SLIC will use the fund for the equipment, training and space upgrades needed to deliver these promising projects. It is expected SLIC will also support a further three public library ‘Lend and Mend Hubs’ as part of this pilot scheme.

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Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of SLIC, said: “Receiving over 40 million visits every year, the Scottish public are familiar with borrowing from libraries but don’t always have the opportunity to extend this circular thinking to other aspects of their lives, for example how they use household goods and clothing.

“And 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 provide, giving people access to resources they might not otherwise have to support responsible consumption and learning, locally and free. 

“With the first phase of library partners selected, we can’t wait to see these local library services transform and thrive for the long-term benefit of us all.”

Pamela added: “These inspirational public libraries have the potential to create a real impact and will provide valuable learnings in promoting the urgent need to adopt a more circular way of living. We hope this pilot will help develop a long-term model for libraries to be a hub of circular economy activities.”

It is expected Girvan Library will open its ‘Lend and Mend Hub’ for public use in early 2023.