At Bocconi University, a new initiative is bringing together sustainability, technology, and student life: a library where you don't borrow books, but useful everyday items—available for free through smart lockers and an app.

A brand-new service is now active at Bocconi University in Milan, reshaping the concept of borrowing: the Library of Things, where instead of books, students can borrow everyday items like small appliances, tools, or tech devices. The initiative is part of the MUSA project and is located on level -1 of the building at Via Sarfatti 25.

Its aim is both simple and ambitious: to provide students with useful tools to navigate university life—often on a tight budget—without having to purchase them. All it takes is a smartphone to reserve an item through an app, scan a QR code, and retrieve it from a smart locker. The system is powered by WIB Machines, a leading company in automated sharing solutions.

The idea was developed in collaboration with Leila, a network of “libraries of things” active in several Italian cities, which promotes a culture of sharing and reuse. The available items were chosen based on a student survey, ensuring they meet the real needs of the university community—from bike pumps to scientific calculators to a hammer for one-time use.

But the project also includes a research component. Its environmental impact will be analyzed through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study to quantify, with data, how much shared borrowing reduces emissions and waste compared to individual purchases.

“We wanted to create something long-lasting that responds to real needs,” explains Francesca Boni, a researcher at Bocconi. “Many items are used only a few times, yet they can make a real difference in daily life. Sharing them not only saves money, but is also a more sustainable choice.”

According to Carlo Salvato, full professor and Dean of the Graduate School, the value of the project goes beyond immediate practicality: “With the Library of Things, we bring our university’s values to life. Innovation, sustainability, and a sense of community become tangible experiences. We promote a culture of trust and shared responsibility.”