In response to our post about a library that lends people, Maureen Rolla, recently alerted us to another great iteration of the lending library:
…The 2013 Carnegie International in Pittsburgh, a huge, fabulous survey of contemporary art, features an art-lending library that has been organized by Transformazium, a local artist collective; it is based at the Braddock Carnegie Library, and it will live on after the exhibition.
The collective solicited works from a number of the artists in the International, plus a bunch of local artists. Anyone with a library card can borrow an art work for 3 weeks, renewable for 2 additional periods. It is awesome – I am now on my third rotation of work. It is a great way to “live” with art, not just see it in a museum (or the home of a rich person).
….Right now, I have two wonderful works by International artists Erika Verzutti (below left) and Lara Favaretto and in my home. In fact, I’m in my second rotation of art from the ALC, having just returned a charming little work by Mladen Stilinović (below right).
All you need to borrow art is a local library card — AWESOME!
What other kinds of lending libraries should we consider? How about power tools?
We have a Tool Library in our neighborhood and it has been amazing – from tools to lawnmowers for when our manual mower can’t handle the length.
What a dream! Who organized and maintains the tool library?
In Toronto we have a Tool library and a Kitchen Equipment library! You can borrow all sorts of handy things and learn how to use them.
Portland, Oregon has two tool libraries!
http://northportlandtoollibrary.org/
http://www.neptl.org/
While not a “library” in the traditional sense, Tech Shop (a for-profit entity) provides access to a huge array of tools (laser cutters, plastics and electronics labs, a machine shop, a wood shop, a metal working shop, a textiles department, welding stations and a waterjet cutter), software, work space, and technical advice, and classes. They operate on a membership basis in 8 locations (including Pittsburgh), and are coming soon to New York! A great idea on so many levels.
http://www.techshop.ws
It is such a great idea. I will look out for them. Would LOVE to experiment with tools I don’t ordinarily have access to. Thanks Maureen.