A smart locker, an app to reserve, and a community that shares. This is how Bocconi University in Milan brought to life its first Smart “Library of Things”, a unique initiative in the academic landscape.

Born within the framework of the MUSA project (Multilayered Urban Sustainability Action), it aims to promote the circular economy, reduce waste, and improve accessibility for the student community.

The project, developed with the technological support of WIB, technical partner and provider of the Smart Lockers, allows students to borrow everyday items such as umbrellas, tools, or electronic devices free of charge, through an automated, simple, and secure system.

A New Kind of Library: Share, Don’t Buy

The Library of Things is inspired by a more sustainable consumption model, where access prevails over ownership. A drill, a vacuum cleaner, a sewing machine—objects that are often needed just once and can now be shared without having to purchase them.

In this model, WIB Smart Lockers play a central role: they are the physical and digital point of exchange, allowing students to reserve and collect items autonomously, 24/7, with maximum convenience. The Leila network‘s management software—already active with other libraries of things in several Italian cities—completes the infrastructure to ensure an efficient and inclusive service.

A Project Designed for Students (and the Planet)

“This service is completely free for students and offers a practical solution for those who come from out of town with a limited budget,” explained Francesca Boni, researcher and project coordinator. “At the same time, sharing items helps reduce environmental impact by avoiding unnecessary purchases and promoting a more sustainable consumption model.”

In addition to the operational aspect, the Smart Library of Things includes a scientific component: a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) will be used to measure the environmental impact avoided compared to individual purchases of the shared items.

A Case of Virtuous Collaboration

WIB is proud to be a partner in this project and to have provided the Smart Lockers that enable it. “This initiative perfectly aligns with our mission: applying our technology in contexts that create real value for people and the environment. We’re proud to have worked alongside a leading academic institution like Bocconi and a socially driven organization like Leila to build a replicable model of innovation that can thrive in other public and private settings,” said Alfonso Correale, CEO of WIB.

Carlo Salvato, Full Professor in the Department of Management and Technology at Bocconi and Dean of the Graduate School, added: “The Library of Things is a tangible example of how Bocconi University, through the MUSA project, is not only promoting innovation and sustainability but also cultivating a sense of community among students. By encouraging the responsible sharing of resources, we foster values of collaboration, trust, and social engagement—fundamental pillars in shaping responsible citizens and future leaders.”

The Smart Library of Things is a concrete example of how forward-thinking universities can embrace and integrate innovation that is accessible, sustainable, and useful in everyday life, transforming ideas into real services for the student community.