How many things do we own that we use just once a year, or even worse, never? The drill, the bread maker, that camping tent we bought in a fit of enthusiasm. The truth is, we often need to use these items, not own them. And that's where Leila, the library of things based in Bologna, Italy, comes into play, flipping the concept of accumulation to make room for sustainable sharing.

Antonio, the founder, understood that the real need isn't to possess but to access what you need, when you need it. That's how the adventure of Leila began—a library not of books, but of everyday items that can be borrowed without the burden of owning them.

Imagine borrowing a bread maker to bake some fresh loaves, or a projector for an outdoor movie night under the stars. Leila offers just that: a space where you can find what you need, and then return it, knowing that someone else will use it again.

How does Leila work?

Getting access to the library of things is easy: just register and pay a small annual fee of 10 euros. Besides the fee, each new member needs to bring an item to share. This item becomes part of Leila’s shared collection, enriching the variety of items available to all members.

Once registered, you can borrow any available item, with no additional costs. From a sewing machine to a weed trimmer, every member has access to dozens of tools and gadgets without needing to buy them. And if you ever decide to leave the community, you can take back the item you shared.

Social, Economic, and Environmental Benefits

Leila is sharing, saving, and sustainability all in one community. Leila is about more than just sharing items; it creates a strong social impact, as well as economic and environmental benefits. First of all, Leila isn’t just a place to find what you need—it’s a meeting point where conversations happen and a real sense of community is built among members.

Borrowing items not only helps you save money, but it also prevents the purchase of things that would be used very rarely, like a drill that might only be used a few times in a lifetime. Finally, every shared item represents a resource being used to its fullest, reducing the need for new goods and minimizing the environmental impact.

A Hub for Community Activism and Education

One of the best aspects of Leila is the sense of community it creates. Leila Bologna isn’t just a lending place; it’s also an opportunity to participate in repair workshops, DIY classes, and meetings on how to reduce waste.

The Domino Effect of Sharing

Leila goes beyond just objects; it inspires a change in our habits. Sharing also means learning to trust others and feeling like part of a larger network. When you borrow something from Leila, you’re not just bringing an item home; you're taking home a story that keeps growing and enriching every time it is used.

How much could our quality of life improve if we shared more and owned less? This is the question Leila invites us to ask ourselves. The culture of accumulation not only weighs us down but often isolates us. With Leila, instead, we discover that true wealth lies in connection, training ourselves to see other human beings not as strangers but as resources.

In a Nutshell

Leila, the library of things, is a cooperative project based in Bologna, Italy. But Leila is much more than just a place where to borrow everyday items: it is a movement, a way to rethink ownership and consumption, as well as our relationship with others and the environment. Leila is an invitation to be part of a community that takes care of resources and contributes to building a more solidary, fair, and sustainable future for all.