Your MERRA Committee has decided to trial a Library of Things. Most of us lend things to our friends and neighbours from time to time. The idea of a Library is to extend that a bit wider and cut down on the need for trips into Snells, Warkworth or beyond to hire or buy equipment, tools etc. for occasional use.
There are a number of examples elsewhere, including the Auckland Library of Tools, and you can see how that works here.
The Scotts Landing Library would operate differently, in that MERRA would maintain a register of things which have been offered by residents, but the borrowing itself would be a matter of agreement between individuals. Once established, the register would be accessed via the Scotts Landing website and the new Scotts Landing Facebook page.
Listings would include a description and photo of the item, and any conditions of borrowing. To avoid security issues, the owner and contact detail would not be shown on the website, but would be obtained by contacting the Librarian (in the first instance, Nick Dibley).
We expect the register to have categories similar to Auckland’s Library of tools, but fewer in number. We expect to start off with gardening, building equipment, hobbies & crafts, emergency equipment. Our first thought is that items which most of us have like lawn mowers, electric drills etc would not be included, but that is not set in stone.
A few rules:
a) MERRA involvement will be limited to maintaining the register and putting borrowers in touch with lenders. It will not offer any assurance as to availability, fitness for purpose, condition etc.
b) the owner of listed items will not be obliged to lend the item to everyone. It is up to lender and borrower to reach agreement.
c) of course we would expect items to be returned in the same condition as when borrowed.
And a few things for lenders:
d) only list items which are fit for purpose and reliable. Probably don’t list vehicles, items which can easily be misused or damaged, or require more training to use than can be provided in a ten-minute hand over, require significant practice to use, family heirlooms, etc.
e) do mention any conditions or limitations of borrowing which may include maximum time of loan, requirement to return batteries charged, fuel replenished etc., borrower to provide their own consumables/blades etc.
f) do make sure items are clean, and ready for use
And for borrowers:
g) return items on time, cleaned and own up to any damage or issues.
If you’d like to offer items for the Library or have any queries or suggestions, please contact Nick Dibley at nick.dibley@outlook.com