Somerville Tool Library Membership Agreement (11/21/2014)

Membership Basics

Members must be age 18 or over to borrow tools from The Tool Library (“Library”) and have signed a waiver and complete a Membership Application.  Members are not required to be residents of Somerville, but need to live close enough to the tool library to ensure regular return of tools.

Tool Library membership costs $50 per year, due before membership begins.  The Tool Library can waive the membership fee in exchange for tool donations to the library large enough to justify waiving the fee.  Not all donated tools will result in a waived membership fee.

The current membership plan is for yearly memberships only.  At some point in the future, the Tool Library may offer “lifetime” “multiyear” “family”or other membership plans or otherwise alter the membership plan and fees.

The Tool Library exists as a community organization, with the mission of providing tool loans to the entire community.  However, in the event that a member repeatedly violates Tool Library policy (failing to return tools on time and clean, misuse of tools, etc.) The Tool Library reserves the right to terminate membership in the best interests of the organization.

Volunteering

Volunteering to staff the tool library can result in waived or adjusted membership dues.  Volunteers will be responsible for signing a Volunteer Agreement clearly stating their commitment and what they will receive in exchange.  

Any member who receives a free or reduced Membership fee in exchange for tool donation or volunteering will still be responsible for adhering to the rules of the tool library and will not be granted any greater access to tools than any other member.

Proper Tool Use

Library staff is available to assist in explaining operation of tools. However, by taking possession of any item, the Member is certifying that he or she is capable of using that item in a safe and proper manner.

Only the Member is authorized to use Library tools. The Member shall not permit the use of items checked out to him or her by any other person unless by the express permission of the Library.

The Member agrees that the Library is not responsible for any manufacturing defects in quality of workmanship or materials inherent in any borrowed tools.

The Member agrees that if any borrowed tool becomes unsafe or in a state of disrepair, he or she must immediately discontinue use of the tool and notify the Library of the issue on return, if not earlier.

Borrowing

The Tool Library will be open on Saturdays and Thursday evenings.  All tools are borrowed due one week from the date of loan.  Tools can be reserved by emailing the Tool Librarian by 6AM on the morning of the day they are requested.  Reserved tools will be held until the end of the day.  

Tools can be renewed for one additional week by emailing the Tool Librarian by 6AM on the morning of the day they are due.  If the tool has been reserved by another member, the renewal will be rejected and the tool will be considered overdue unless returned on that day.

Each member can have up to 7 tools out at one time.  Safety equipment such as gloves, eye protection, etc. are not counted in this limit.

All tools borrowed are to be returned to the Library by close of business on their due date. Tools may only be returned during the Library’s open hours.

Late fees.

 If a tool is returned late, the Member will be responsible for a late fee.   Because the tool library will not be open every day, the late fees are set as follows:

Tools due on Thursday but returned the following Saturday: $2

Tools due on Saturday but returned the following Thursday: $2

Tools returned an entire week late (ie. due on one Saturday, returned the next): $5

Additionally, if tools are overdue for successive weeks, a $5 fee will be assessed for each week and partial week they are overdue until returned, up to the replacement value of the tool plus a $5 administrative fee.

In unexpected circumstances or incidents of hardship, the Library reserves the right to waive or limit overdue fees.  Overdue tools and fines must be resolved before borrowing additional items.

The Library reserves the right to use appropriate steps to retrieve delinquent tools or unpaid fines and fees, including the use of a collection agency and/or legal action and assess the delinquent Member with the cost of any such action. The Library also reserves

the right to forgive fees due to special circumstances.

If and when the Tool Library hours are expanded or changed, this late fee schedule and policy may change.

Loss or Damaged Tools

All tools are to be returned in the same (or better) condition as they were issued, barring normal wear and tear. All tools must be returned clean. The Member agrees to pay for the loss of or damage to any item and further agrees to accept the Library’s assessment of condition of items and to further agree to the Library’s assessment of fair restitution for damage, dirtiness, delinquency, and/or loss of items in part or in total. This restitution amount could equal the full replacement cost of the item plus a $5 administrative fee.   If a tool is lost or requires replacement for other reasons, the Member is permitted to replace the tool themselves, but must replace it with a tool of equal value and utility (ie. a high quality screwdriver must be replaced with a comparable tool, not a screwdriver from the dollar store.)

Additional

The Library reserves the right to refuse the loan of any item at its discretion.

In the case of power tools requiring expensive blades, some tools will require a “blade fee” to cover the replacement of these blades.  

These rules may be amended at any time to reflect the needs and desires of the membership.

I verify that I have read and understood this agreement and agree to abide by its rules.

Name (please print): ____________________________________

Signature: _____________________________________________

Date: _________________________________________________