A collaborative community venture, organised and operated by What Next? and Godalming Library (part of Surrey Library Service) with the support of Waverley Borough Council (who are providing storage) and Godalming Town Council (who provided our display cabinet). 

Project / Activity Leaders: Jeremy Snell (Operations) and David Faraday (Inventory Management)




About our Library of Things (Back)

Ask yourself, do I need to buy it? There are many estimates for the average amount of time a hand drill is used in its entire lifetime, ranging from 6 minutes to 20 minutes. Regardless of the exact number, the point is made and it applies to many other things as well: carpet cleaners, wall paper strippers, party gazebos – things we use maybe once or twice a year.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could simply borrow these items from a Library of Things just for the time we need them. No storage issues, no unnecessary carbon emissions, less financial cost, help and advice in using them from the lenders. We now have a Library of Things Godalming!

We have a variety of tools, applicances, garden furniture and other items that can be borrowed from our library FREE OF CHARGE. The majority of our items have been donated by supporters, if you would like to make a donation of an item please get in touch.

Our Library of Things is operated and administered by What Next volunteers, who also check and maintain the items in the library. Front of house collection and return is carried out by Godalming Library staff.


To borrow Items from our Library of Things you will need to become a Member, here’s how:

  1. When you have read the instructions below, go to our Library of Things website.
  2. Click Create Account (top right of the LoT website page).
  3. Enter your First and Last Name: we need to be able to confirm your identity when borrowing an item.
  4. Enter your e-mail: we need to be able to confirm reservations, etc.
  5. Enter your Username and Password: you will need these to login in to your account.
  6. Enter your Mobile Phone Number: in case we need to contact your urgently.
  7. Enter your Date of Birth: you must be 18 or over to use our Library of Things.
  8. Once you account has been created you must read and agree with our Equipment Hiring Agreement.
  9. Now you will need to confirm your e-mail address.
  10. CONTRATULATIONS, you will then be a member.
  11. Finally, in order to make resevations and borrow items from our Library of Things, you we will need to enter details of a valid Credit/Debit Card to cover us against loss / damage / non-return of Items; we do not have direct access to this data, it is stored on a secure server operated by our web-site provider, MyTurn.

Click to Join Godalming’s Library of Things (Opens a new tab)


  1. Become a Member (see above).
  2. Browse our Inventory and Select an Item to get more information on the Item and review availability.
  3. Click Reserve to reserve an item for loan – please note the restrictions concerning Large Items (see below).
  4. Select the Dates you wish to reserve the item for.
  5. Click on +Add Item to add this reservation to your Cart, you may then add other Items to reserve for the same period if you wish.
  6. Click on the Cart to review your reservations.
  7. Click on Submit Reservation to confirm your reservation/s; you will then receive a confirmation e-mail.
  8. Once Reserved you may collect your Item from Godalming Library issues desk; please bring along your reservation number and some form of identification.

Click to visit Godalming’s Library of Things or Join Godalming’s Library of Things (Opens a new tab)


How to Return an Item (Back)

  1. Return your Item to Godalming Library issue desk; please bring along your resevation number.
  2. Items must be returned by the last day of your reservation period.
  3. For most items, resevation periods can be extended, but this will depend on whether another customer has reserved the item.

Click to visit Godalming’s Library of Things.