What is an object library and how does it work?

An object library, like BOB in Besançon, allows members to borrow everyday items instead of buying them. Users register with the association and can then reserve items online for a set period, promoting shared and economical use.

What are the ecological benefits of borrowing objects?

Borrowing objects helps reduce waste by maximizing the use of material resources. For example, a drill is often used for only a few minutes before being discarded, whereas sharing it can extend its use and limit its environmental impact.

How does BOB contribute to changing the perception of ownership?

BOB encourages a reflection on possession by proposing a model where objects are seen as resources to share rather than goods to own. This prompts users to reconsider their consumption habits and value access to items over their acquisition.

Where do the objects available at BOB come from?

Most of the objects at BOB come from donations by individuals, which gives a second life to often underused items. Some equipment is also purchased thanks to patrons to meet specific needs.

What is the economic model of BOB and how does it promote access to objects?

BOB operates on an associative model with very accessible membership fees starting at 5 euros per year. Borrowing rates are also low, making access to often expensive items fairer and more accessible to a wide audience.

Environment

Florian Verger & Julie Gaudin

Co-founders — La BOB

Why Borrow Instead of Buy?

10:59·8 October 2026

This article was automatically translated from its original Français version. Read the original

Julie Gaudin and Florian Verger are the co-founders of La BOB, the Object Library of Besançon. The principle: borrow everyday items instead of buying them for occasional use.

At La BOB, the Object Library of Besançon, just like in a traditional library, members can reserve online the items they need. "We have over a hundred items today," explains Florian Verger. Tools, gardening equipment, or even carpet cleaners, the items are mostly donated and can be borrowed for a day, a week, or longer.

The goal is both economic and ecological. A study by ADEME cited by the association estimates that the average usage time of a drill between its purchase and recycling is only 12 minutes. At La BOB, "we wanted to create this place to share items and ensure they circulate more, that they are used more".

With a membership starting at 5 euros per year and reduced borrowing rates, La BOB also aims to promote a different relationship with ownership. "It's perhaps simply about changing practices a bit, having a different perspective on the items that surround us," they conclude.

The Object Library of Besançon is an initiative suggested to us by the Milliard operation, one of whose missions is to make visible the organizations of the Just Transition.

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An object library, like BOB in Besançon, allows members to borrow everyday items instead of buying them. Users register with the association and can then reserve items online for a set period, promoting shared and economical use.