After leafletting for the Library of Things in a Group Run last week (https://www.goodgym.org/v3/reports/helping-camden-s-library-of-things), we were disappointed to have leaflets left over. The solution – an additional Community Mission in Maida Vale, following the Camden social run in Regent’s Park on Sunday morning (https://www.goodgym.org/v3/reports/february-spring).

We scurried up and down Larkin Street, visited a few blocks of flats and posted every remaining leaflet through letter boxes , meaning that many more people will be aware of the facilities provided by the Library.

Afterwards we got Sunday lunch at the Warwick Castle pub, then walked back along the canal to Camden Town where we enjoyed a coffee at Camden Lock. Avery satisfactory afternoon.

I like to think of myself as a somewhat organised person. I write little lists. Stick post-its on my laptop. Even have a calendar.

I've done all these things for a while. My brother once said - Alex, you're pretty organised.

Yes, I believed all of this. Took it in. Swallowed it whole.

Until.

Yes, until... I met the wonderful Juliana from the Library of Things on Wednesday evening.

The brilliant (fast approaching 1000 good deeds) John, lovely Jackie, and Library-of-Things-Camden-Aficionado Maddy had already arrived.

I could tell everyone was impressed. Stacks of leaflets. One for each volunteer. As well as maps. Highlighters. And. A tripod for a steady, clear, and beautiful photo.

I was tempted to say - I write lists - but I just couldn't, folks.

But soon my organisational envy shifted as I looked ahead and forward to our evening. We were soon joined by the awesome Alex and brilliant Dan (who was completing their first good deed - congratulations and hoping to see you again!), and we then settled into hearing more about the inspiring things The Library of Things do.

They're a wonderful social enterprise on a mission to make borrowing better than buying for people & planet – more affordable, convenient, socially-rewarding & kinder to the planet - and they now have two hubs in Camden - one operating out of Kentish Town Library and the other based at the Kilburn Library Centre.

Our task was to help spread the word. Splitting up into three teams, we each targeted different streets around Maida Vale and St John's Wood, popping bright and informative leaflets through letterboxes of folks who could well benefit from a little Library of Things magic.

Back together after 50 minutes of work, John and Jackie took a good bunch home and will be doing another round on Sunday 18th Feb - sign up here if you're interested!

A big thank you to Juliana and Maddy for making this evening possible, and I hope we can help out again soon :)

Great work, everyone!

Why buy when you can borrow? That’s the philosophy of the Library of Things, who lend useful things for the home, projects and adventures. As they say, this is affordable, convenient, and kinder to the planet (or at least to the people who live on it).

But people need to know about the library, particularly the new branch which recently opened on the Camden side of Kilburn High Road. We’d delivered leaflets publicising it before, on the Brent side, and I felt we needed to tell the people of our own borough about this new amenity.

On arrival at the library, the rain started to come down and I envisaged an evening as soggy as the last time we took on this task. But happily the rain held off as we headed off with a large bag of colourful pamphlets. Before long, we’d actually strayed into Westminster, but not to worry, they all need to know about the nearby facility.

It was hard work; large houses with big steps to the front door ensured we got a good workout, and eventually we’d delivered a huge pile of leaflets. However we then needed a sit down and some sustenance, so headed straight to Franco Manca for a large vegan pizza.

we turned up at the new library of things location within Kilburn Library dry to collect our leaflets and very well organised mission.

Having set off on our mission mentioning at least its dry it started to rain, nothing we're not used too.

We started on two really long roads with plenty of houses each side and split up covering the sides. on the first road there was a lot of steps up to the main flats and down stairs to the basement flats. it was a work out!

By the time we'd finished the first street it was really starting to rain, but as we we're already soaked we went on to the next street trying to keep the flyers as dry as we could.

The second street was much easier, with doors at street level and no stairs, although there we're some slippery tiles and puddles to navigate.

Apart from the rain it was a good work out and we managed to deliver 400 flyers!