What if you need a drill for just one day, a waffle maker for a birthday party, or a tent for a weekend? Instead of buying items that often sit unused, soon in Pula you will be able to borrow them from the Library of Things.

Zelena Istra is launching the first Library of Things in Croatia, which will begin operating in September 2026 at the Re-Geppetto Workshop in the Rojc Community Centre in Pula. This is a space where residents can borrow a wide variety of items they rarely use – such as tools, household appliances, repair equipment, camping gear, and gardening tools – instead of purchasing them.

The Library of Things operates similarly to a traditional library, but instead of books, items are borrowed. This model saves money and space, reduces unnecessary purchases, conserves resources, minimizes waste, and encourages a culture of sharing within the community.

To ensure the Pula Library of Things meets the real needs of local residents, Zelena Istra invites people from Pula and the surrounding area to participate in a short survey about their interest in using the library, desired items for borrowing, and preferred rules of operation (membership, borrowing terms, etc.). The survey is available at this link.

"We want to develop the Library of Things together with residents – so that they choose what can be borrowed and how it will operate. This way, we create a shared resource that truly meets the needs of the community," emphasizes Nina Brnić from Zelena Istra.

The launch of the Pula Library of Things is part of an international project that Zelena Istra carries out in partnership with the Slovenian organization Knjižnica reči, aiming to develop spaces for sharing and repairs in both Pula and Ljubljana. The project promotes strengthening local communities through circular economy principles, knowledge exchange, and the development of sustainable habits in everyday life.

We invite citizens to complete the survey and take part in shaping the first Library of Things in Pula.

The project is co-financed by the European Union. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.