Oxford Party Library
Oxford Party Library
Oxford Party Library is a public resource lending common party supplies to the community, drastically reducing waste and promoting access to childhood fun for all income levels.
We have a wide range of party supplies, including: tents, gazebos, bunting and props for a variety of themes, reusable serving dishes, cutlery, crockery, linens, cake tins, cookie cutters, cake decorating tools, and much more. The list is too long but in all likelihood if you want it, we've got it.
How it Oxford Party Library works
- The library is open to everyone. The only stipulation is that you will need to be able to pick up the supplies from Kidlington. If you cannot collect from Kidlington, try posting a request on our facebook page to see if someone closer to you has what you need.
- We need a week’s notice to be able to fulfill requests.
- You can keep items as long as you need and can fill that in our form, but most people return items within one week.
- Please inform us if any items have been damaged or are missing for whatever reason.
How to use the library
Please email oxfordpartylibrary@gmail.com to inquire. Our forms are currently down, so please be in touch via email.
Make a donation
If you have items that you think would be useful for Oxford Party Library, please get in touch with us today, we’d love to give it a good home! Our email address is oxfordpartylibrary@gmail.com.
Please note that we can only accept items in a usable condition, and you should speak to someone before coming into Exeter Hall with an item, to ensure we can accept it.
Most of our items are offered free of charge*, but Cherwell Collective funds our work including facilities costs, cleaning, and staff. If you are able to donate it helps us keep this service running. Donations of items and time are also very welcome.
*We do ask for a £50 deposit for loan of the bouncy castle and marquees. We also require a deposit of 30p per piece for tea sets and glassware.
In numbers
In the last eighteen months we have provided items for 75 parties. We have also equipped 8 other community cafes with surplus crockery, utensils, cooking equipment, table linens, decor and more. We loan our gazebos and other equipment to schools and other community organisations several times a year as well.
Our most popular children’s party loans are our Pirate party kits (with reusable crockery, cutlery, etc). The weight of these party items borrowed: 10kg (Banners, Balloons, Cake tin, Cutlery (30), Bowls (30), Plates (30), Cups (30), Pirate decorations, and our large cardboard scenery).
Borrowing items saves families the cost of buying items new:
- Banner: £2.50
- Balloons: £6.99
- Cake tin: £10.99
- Plastic Cutlery: £7.99
- Plastic Bowls: £8.99
- Plastic Plates: £7.99
- Plastic Cups: £4.99
- Pirate party items: £20
On average that is a total saving PER request of: £87.42
But it also saves the planet: each time someone borrows reusable party items they save the average carbon equivalent of around 32 CAR MILES. With 75 loans out, our borrowers have saved 2400 car miles by sharing supplies using Oxford Party Library.
