The Penicuik Library of Things, was born as part of the legacy from the two-year Penicuik Carbon Challenge project that ended in March 2022.
The Carbon Challenge project funding came from Scottish government’s Climate Challenge Fund. It was initiated by the Penicuik Storehouse and transferred to Penicuik Community Development Trust (PCDT) towards the end of its first year.
We collaborated with local partners, including the Penicuik Ambassadors the Ladywood Centre and the Storehouse. Together we wanted to maximise the project’s legacy and keep activities running. We had the things, tools and equipment. Not only the project’s library of tools, but also the kitchen equipment used at Ladywood for the zero waste community meals, the bike repair tools and equipment, lots of sewing machines, serious apple pressing gear, a freezer, tables and more!
The question was how to keep of the stuff available to the community after the Carbon Challenge finished at the end of March 2022. The answer was agreed: set up PLoTs, Penicuik’s Library of Things. Long-term loans of the collections of equipment, such as the kitchen or bike maintenance equipment, enable groups, like the Ladywood and the Ambassadors, to continue the established activities; and short-term loans let individuals share all the general tools and equipment.