Background
The Buy Nowt LS6 Library of Things was established in 2020. This handbook outlines our operational procedures, based on principles from the Buy Nothing Project.
Mission
We offer a unique opportunity to address inequality, tackle climate change, localise our economy and promote a sense of community cohesion and connectivity. Our pay-as-you-feel model ensures financial access for all, while enabling others to share resources and contribute according to their means.
Core principles
- Local groups strengthen the social fabric and the wellbeing of community members
- Approach from abundance rather than scarcity
- Sharing, lending, gifting, and expressing gratitude
- Revenue reinvested entirely into operations and development
- Prioritising repair and secondhand items over new purchases
- Measuring wealth through personal connections and positive environmental and social impact
- Valuing people and stories above material goods
- Inclusive, with no discrimination by age, race, gender, religion, background, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status
- Honouring honesty and integrity
- Treating all contributions as equally valuable
- Implementing pay-as-you-feel donations and membership
- Ensuring universal access regardless of financial contribution level
Membership rules and criteria
Expected behaviour
- Demonstrate humanity and build trust
- Give generously and receive graciously
- Support the pay-as-you-feel model and local LS6 access
- Disclose damage to borrowed items honestly
- Treat others with kindness, respect, empathy, and dignity
- Uphold the organisation's mission and values
Grounds for removal
- Fraudulent accounts or defrauding others
- Hate speech, cruelty, or threats
- Intentionally damaging or not returning items
- Subletting borrowed items
- Repeatedly disregarding the mission and values
- Promoting personal agendas conflicting with the organisation's purpose