Read the passage
A library of things
Original practice passage. The project, people and setting are fictional. Answer using only the information below.
In the fictional town of Westmere, a small library has begun lending objects as well as books. The idea came from a residents’ survey. Several people said they owned tools which they used only once or twice a year, while others put off simple jobs because buying the necessary equipment seemed wasteful. The library team decided to test whether a shared collection could address both problems.
The pilot opened in March with 60 objects, including drills, sewing machines and cake tins. Every object in the original collection was donated by local residents. Before being added to the catalogue, electrical items were inspected by a qualified technician. The library rejected several donations because replacement parts were no longer available. It also chose not to accept large gardening machines, since the building had no suitable storage space.
Adults with a Westmere library card can borrow one object at a time for up to seven days. There is no borrowing fee. However, a refundable deposit is required for a small group of higher-value items. New borrowers receive a short demonstration, and instructions are included in each box. The staff explain that these instructions do not replace the practical skills needed to use a tool safely.
During the first three months, the sewing machines were borrowed more often than any other type of object. Staff had expected drills to be the most popular. Some borrowers said that using a machine first helped them decide whether they wanted to buy one of their own. Others preferred to keep borrowing because they had little space at home. The library did not ask borrowers about their household income.
The team is now reviewing the pilot. Its records show how often objects were borrowed, but those figures alone cannot reveal how many purchases were avoided. A borrower might have rented an item elsewhere or abandoned the job entirely. For the next stage, staff plan to ask about these alternatives. They also hope to hold repair workshops, although no dates or funding have yet been agreed.