It's been several months in the making but the Illawarra's first Library of Things is ready to open it's doors on Saturday.
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Since founder Andrea Persico put feelers out for volunteers in March the project has evolved faster than anticipated.
She has received more than 150 items for borrowing; the donated space at Bulli has also tripled in size to include an area for DIY classes and renowned artist Trait (aka Kane Horsepool) created a giant mural for the space.
"The overall reaction when people hear about it is I sort of see, like, this light goes on in their eyes, that it makes sense to everyone," Mrs Persico said.
"People from the guy who lives on a big hill with a three-car garage, to somebody who doesn't have a lot of space and lives in a one-bedroom apartment.
"Everybody can see this value in either getting rid of a bunch of stuff they do not use, or having access to that stuff that perhaps they can't buy.
"And then there's the environmental implication that we can have a lot less stuff out there."
Memberships will range from lifetime, yearly with classes, to single memberships and the option to donate memberships to community members in need.
Some of the items currently available include sewing machines, wood working and power tools, camping equipment, a stroller, plus a shotput and a discus. Items may be borrowed for one week at a time, with bookings for time periods in advance also available.
The library will continue to accept more donations of goods, while there are still dozens of items being prepared for testing and tagging before being added to the catalogue.
Mrs Persico has been taking inspiration from the Toolo library in the Blue Mountains and the Inner West Tool Library. She said the biggest thing she has learnt was "just start it, just do it".
"To not wait for everything to have perfect processes and be perfect with everything in place," she said.
"We've been able to get this far from absolutely no funding ... and only donation of time and a couple of resources have been donated as well, I think it's quite incredible to get this far.
"Hopefully we'll be a resource that will be around for years."
Meantime, Make-Do is currently in contention for a My Community Project grant to be enable a second library to open in Port Kembla.
Voting closes August 15 via the Service NSW website with successful projects to be announced from September.
OFFICIAL LAUNCH
The space behind F45 Bulli - on the Princes Highway - will officially start a library membership drive from this Saturday with a party organised to celebrate.
Saigon Senses will have Banh Mi for sale, along with a sausage sizzle and beverages. Live music will entertain with games for young and old. It will run from 2pm to 5pm at the rear of the old Bulli Bowling Club on Princes Highway at Bulli.