Trendsletter #26 - Borrowing clothes from the library, huh... what❓👗
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Imagine borrowing an outfit like you would a book! The library is no longer just a space for printed pages; it’s becoming a true laboratory of ideas for a more sustainable future, as discussed in the latest Trendsletter: The Future of Libraries. Today, we’re tackling a topic that is particularly close to my heart, combining two of my passions: libraries and fashion. 🌱👖 This experimentation resonates with our times, where ecological urgency prompts us to reassess our needs and material attachments, opening the door to new forms of sharing and exchange. Clothes from the Pub. Librairies What does it change?The examples above show that most clothing loans focus on sporadic or temporary needs rather than everyday wear. This raises questions about the future of the second-hand clothing market and rental services if all libraries begin offering garments for occasional use. Additionally, this practice challenges the concept of ownership. By providing borrowable clothing, libraries broaden the conversation around property and encourage a shift in how we perceive ownership in the context of clothing. What Does This Change? I can't help but think about the logistics of borrowing clothing (and other items) from the library and how the online catalog needs to be reimagined, as it is traditionally centered on books. It is often uninviting and, in some cases, lacks sufficient descriptions to convince users to reserve and borrow rather than buy the item. Will we see a drop-off box for returns outside of opening hours? Currently, most object libraries (not just books) only accept in-person returns during operating hours. Of course, more questions are raised than answered regarding this emerging practice. In the course of writing my book Rien de neuf, I collected several inspiring initiatives (examples of things being done differently) and compiled them on Miro.
In case you missed itI was at the opening panel of the Quebec Waste Reduction Week. I specifically discussed the role of libraries in the future. 🎥 Panel de discussion: Consommer moins, mais mieux! (French only) Complete list of media comments See you soon, |
Marie-Michele Larivée
As the year wraps up, we often turn to language to help us make sense of the shifts we’ve lived through. Words of the year, chosen by dictionaries and cultural observers alike, act as snapshots of our collective experiences, anxieties, and aspirations. Today’s trendsetter is the "Word of the Year" (WOTY), but before we dive in, let me wish you a happy next trip around the sun. May it be an insightful and joyful one! From Oxford to Collins to the Australian Dictionary, these words give form to...
Alors que l’année touche à sa fin, nous nous tournons souvent vers le langage pour nous aider à donner un sens aux changements que nous avons vécus. Les mots de l’année, choisis par les dictionnaires et les observateurs culturels, agissent comme des instantanés d’expériences, d’anxiétés et d’aspirations collectives. Le WOTF est le sujet d’aujourd’hui du créateur de tendances, mais avant de nous lancer, permettez-moi de vous souhaiter un bon prochain voyage autour du soleil. Je vous souhaite...
Don't buy my book... borrow it! As the Black Friday frenzy fades and the Montreal Book Fair has just ended, I want to address an essential reflection. What kind of author would I be if I encouraged you to buy compulsively, when my message advocates thoughtful buying and sharing? During radio segment episode of Feu Vert, Catherine Perrin illustrated this tension: “Once again, I have just convinced you to buy a book, that of Marie-Michèle Larivée… and a second one!” (translated from french)...