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https://www.positive.news/society/the-local-shropshire-library-where-you-can-borrow-secondhand-fashion/>
"Lizzie Dibble is hopeful that her clothes lending project could help bring in
new footfall to the UK’s beleaguered libraries, as well as introducing readers
to the romance of secondhand fashion.
“There’s something about the library,” she said.“It’s not an intimidating
boutique or the busy, noisy high street. I’ve had people tell me that sometimes
they’ll go into a shop and even the music makes them feel like they don’t fit
in there. We want this to feel welcoming and accessible to everybody.”
Dibble created With Love From … in 2023, initially to swap clothes with friends
and family. Interest grew along with donations, and the project soon spawned
sewing workshops, talks about sustainability and a repair service.
She recently registered as a Community Interest Company and moved the shared
wardrobe to its new home at Oswestry library, run by volunteers and backed by a
crowdfunding campaign and a grant from Shropshire council.
There are currently around 400 pieces in the growing collection, which can be
checked out via a barcode for three weeks at a time and renewed just like a
book. Every garment is labelled with the name of the person who donated it. “It
adds to the idea that preloved clothing is more special, because it has that
history,” said Dibble.
Recent years have seen a boom in rental apps, which offer fashion-lovers a way
to make money from the trophy items in their wardrobe. But the library offers a
very different borrowing experience – tactile, inclusive and free. While
‘libraries of things’ are becoming more common across the country, With Love
From … is thought to be the first to add clothes to the existing library
system."
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
