Welcome to Ilkley Thingery.


Our Usual Opening Hours:

  • Wednesday:   3 - 6 pm
  • Friday:             3 - 6 pm
  • Saturday:        10am - 4 pm


* For Exceptions to Usual Opening Hours, see Dates Closed.


Contact Us.

  • Email:  library-of-things@climateactionilkley.org.uk

  • Phone (during Opening Hours):   01943 513 818


Become a Member & Borrow Things or Get Us to Repair Your Things.

Ilkley Thingery is Ilkley's very own Library of Things (this linked article in the ethical consumer provides a useful summary of what a Library of Things is, and where to find them across the UK) and repair project. Ilkley Thingery is a not-for-profit repair project and lending library that you can borrow a wide range range of Things from, or get your Things repaired, for a low cost; it offers an affordable way for people to get Things fixed and access a wide range of Things without needing to buy them.

You can see what Things are available to borrow from our library on this website, and reserve Things that you'd like to borrow here online after becoming a member of this library (become-a-member-of-ilkley-thingery).

Most of the Things stocked in our library of things are used rather than brand new, but they are in excellent or very good condition. Some Things in the library have been loaned or donated to the Thingery, other Things have been bought by the Thingery from membership and borrowing fees.

You can now also buy things from the Thingery (Ilkley Thingery - Things For Sale) for a low cost, and the sale of these Things helps to cover running costs. 

We offer low cost electrical and textile repairs for Thingery members, to make repairing things rather than buying new an accessible option for more people. See Repair@IlkleyThingery for more information.

Borrowing Things from Ilkley Thingery helps the environment by cutting down waste, and provides a way of building and strengthening community. Members of Ilkley Thingery can save money by borrowing rather than buying, reduce their environmental impact and save space in their homes.

If you need tools for a DIY project, a tent for a camping trip, a lawn mower, hedgetrimmer, food processor, or a floor cleaner to spruce up your home before a party, Ilkley Thingery has Things you can borrow. Ilkley Thingery has an large and growing collection of Things to borrow and a welcoming community of members; our library offers a great way of getting the tools you need for household tasks, and exploring your passions and hobbies.

To Become a Member: 1. Register with us, and 2. Pick a Membership Type by following the link in the email you receive after registering. 

Please become an Ilkley Thingery member Today.


Brief Background.

The Thingery is, and has been from the beginning, developed, managed and run by Erika Shilling, the Project Manager. Most of the time she has given to getting this project off the ground and running Ilkley Thingery has been unpaid. Ilkley Thingery started with a grant from a local B corp company, Beyondly; this provides funding for the cost of the building for the first 3 years, and some contribution towards energy costs, giving time to make this project work financially. The project, which is not-for-profit, relies mostly on membership fees, borrowing, income from sales and member's electrical and textile repairs, and small grants for other projects, such as the Peer Support, Repair & Talk group that meets on Wednesday evenings at the Thingery. Please become a member and start or continue borrowing from the Thingery, bring your things in for repair, and come along to the Peer Support repair group.  


Coming Soon.

This year we will soon be offering a range of repair workshops. Watch this space for news.



Page last updated: 07/03/2025.


...