Free_lil_electric_libraries aim to inspire conversation about techno-social activism, initiatives that re-connect people, re-connect people with places where they live, and invite disarming forms of relational encounters, transient collaboration and mutual trust.

These libraries are individual charging stations in front of the builder’s house, acting as instigators endowed with social & personal values while having goals of positive interaction.

These electrified objects are tied to mobilizing our innate playful intention to foster transient relationships and community of place.

Our design proposal probes how to give electrification a local dimension seeking alternative experiential narratives, alternative to last century-tech language of fuse boxes with no relationship to their social or environmental context.

They’re DIY toolkit made of commonly available materials: outdoor outlet, standard outdoor extension cord, couple of 2x4s, and swappable “interactive modules” in ready to assemble elements. Modules include music box and kaleidoscope (manual), bubbles machine and paper piano (electronic), etc. All blueprints and materials are open-sourced published on tinkering platforms and can order online. Grassroots customization are welcomed.

Free_lil_electric_libraries signal an alternative to the exclusivity of current sparse charging stations and invite us to engage in imagining how things could be, when we could have a voice and actively participate in shaping how technological change affects our space and our relationships.