Ask anyone who runs a library of things or sharing station where their time goes, and it is rarely the lending itself. It is everything around it: tracking members, keeping inventory accurate, scheduling events, staying on top of repairs and logging donations. That’s why we were excited to hear about the newest software on the block, that aims to help smoothen this process and help libraries of things to run their service through one integrated software: Patio.
The people and mission behind Patio
Patio started as an idea between Julien and Joel, two friends from Quebec, Canada, who wanted item sharing to feel like the obvious choice rather than the harder one. Their aim is to support the circular economy by making life easier for the people who run circular consumption services, from libraries of things to neighbourhood lending circles. To make sure they achieved this mission, the team worked closely with volunteers and staff at local sharing stations to shape Patio around their needs.
A single-platform approach
The core idea is to let a library of things run all its operations in one place rather than across a patchwork of separate tools. Members, inventory, communications, events, maintenance and donations all sit on the same platform, alongside a built-in CRM and a site builder for organisations that want to put together a website. The team has aimed to keep it approachable, so volunteers can pick it up without much training, whatever their comfort with technology.
Its features are designed to cut down on admin. You can create an inventory listing by taking a photo of a tool, which the platform then formats for your public catalogue. Routine tasks such as reminders and follow-ups can be automated, and the setup can be adjusted to match how a particular library works. Pricing starts with a free tier, so an organisation can get started without financial commitment.
One home for the circular economy
The library software is where Patio begins, but the team describes it as one part of a wider plan: bringing the different corners of the circular economy together in one place. That includes a peer-to-peer layer, currently in development, where people will be able to find items available nearby, from local libraries to a neighbour a few streets over.
It also takes in community. The plan is for anyone to set up public or private groups for their own sharing circles, whether a building, a street, a workplace or a club, run events and workshops, and connect with makers and repairers nearby. The thinking is that a single library, a neighbourhood sharing group and a weekend repair session should not feel like separate worlds, each with its own app and login. Put side by side, the team argues, sharing starts to feel like the default rather than a niche choice.
Try out and share your input on the Patio experience
Anyone who wants to see more can browse an example library to try out the platform and get a sense for the user experience. The team are also very keen to hear from people running libraries, rental and sharing services, or other circular initiatives, to get their input on how to improve the service.
The Access Economy Alliance is Europe’s first network of public authorities, businesses and researchers that pools together resources, collaborations and knowledge to deliver a circular economy through access-based services.