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Libraries of things : at the intersection of sharing and social economies

Silva, Emily and Mont, Oksana LU (2025) p.42-64
Abstract

This chapter by Emily Silva and Oksana Mont examines the role of libraries of things (LoTs) in reducing consumption through socially sustainable practices. It highlights LoTs' potential to address sustainability and service challenges in circular and sharing business models. The study, based on data from 90 LoTs across North America, Europe and Australia, explores motivations and business model configurations. Key outputs include a comprehensive framework for LoT business models, an empirical database, and four distinct LoT archetypes: public-to-citizen, community-driven free, community-driven paid, and scaling paid LoTs. These findings provide practitioners with practical guidance for designing effective LoT business models,... (More)

This chapter by Emily Silva and Oksana Mont examines the role of libraries of things (LoTs) in reducing consumption through socially sustainable practices. It highlights LoTs' potential to address sustainability and service challenges in circular and sharing business models. The study, based on data from 90 LoTs across North America, Europe and Australia, explores motivations and business model configurations. Key outputs include a comprehensive framework for LoT business models, an empirical database, and four distinct LoT archetypes: public-to-citizen, community-driven free, community-driven paid, and scaling paid LoTs. These findings provide practitioners with practical guidance for designing effective LoT business models, highlighting trade-offs between sustainability and financial viability. The research also identifies the roles of public and private actors in supporting LoTs. This analysis aims to inform stakeholders about strategic choices and identify future research directions for social economy.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Archetypes, Business models, Financial viability, Libraries of things, LoTs, Sharing economy, Social sustainability
host publication
Understanding the Urban Sharing Economy
pages
23 pages
publisher
Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.
external identifiers
  • scopus:105005243363
ISBN
9781035320547
9781035320530
DOI
10.4337/9781035320547.00013
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © The Editor and Contributors Severally 2025.
id
80ae701e-b2e3-4c02-ad5e-9be26e53edbc
date added to LUP
2025-08-15 13:17:01
date last changed
2025-09-26 19:46:10
@inbook{80ae701e-b2e3-4c02-ad5e-9be26e53edbc,
  abstract     = {{<p>This chapter by Emily Silva and Oksana Mont examines the role of libraries of things (LoTs) in reducing consumption through socially sustainable practices. It highlights LoTs' potential to address sustainability and service challenges in circular and sharing business models. The study, based on data from 90 LoTs across North America, Europe and Australia, explores motivations and business model configurations. Key outputs include a comprehensive framework for LoT business models, an empirical database, and four distinct LoT archetypes: public-to-citizen, community-driven free, community-driven paid, and scaling paid LoTs. These findings provide practitioners with practical guidance for designing effective LoT business models, highlighting trade-offs between sustainability and financial viability. The research also identifies the roles of public and private actors in supporting LoTs. This analysis aims to inform stakeholders about strategic choices and identify future research directions for social economy.</p>}},
  author       = {{Silva, Emily and Mont, Oksana}},
  booktitle    = {{Understanding the Urban Sharing Economy}},
  isbn         = {{9781035320547}},
  keywords     = {{Archetypes; Business models; Financial viability; Libraries of things; LoTs; Sharing economy; Social sustainability}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  pages        = {{42--64}},
  publisher    = {{Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.}},
  title        = {{Libraries of things : at the intersection of sharing and social economies}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.4337/9781035320547.00013}},
  doi          = {{10.4337/9781035320547.00013}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}