Member Agreement and Library Use Policy

Before you can borrow things, we need you to agree to this Penicuik Library of Things (PLoTs) Member Agreement and Library Use Policy.

Mission and Ethos

The Penicuik Library of Things to share is run entirely by volunteers. It requires people to follow a few rules so everyone, plus the environment, benefits as much as possible. So, we invite you to join your fellow Members in agreeing to the terms below – which help ensure that your Library of Things thrives both now and into the future as a solid resource for our collaborative and resilient community.

Definitions

The ‘Member’ –
any person who has created a PLoTs account, regardless of whether they have borrowed from the Library of Things or not.

‘Item’ or ‘tool’ –
any piece of equipment stocked by the Penicuik Library of Things.

‘Library of Things’ (or ‘PLoTs’, ‘us’, ‘we’ or ‘our’) –
the charity lending out items to Members.

‘Borrowing’ –
the act of picking up, taking care of and making use of an Item from the Penicuik Library of Things; and returning it, clean, to the agreed place, at the agreed time.

Joining & Annual Membership

Only Members are able to borrow things from PLoTs.

To become a Member, you must:

1. 1. Be aged 18 or over
   2. Complete your personal information and date of birth
   3. Confirm your email address so that we can contact you
   4. Live in Penicuik or no further than approximately 15 miles from Penicuik
   5. Have your residence confirmed and identity verified by a PLoTs volunteer.

Your membership will be activated once your residence has been confirmed by a PLoTs volunteer and your identity verified. Verification of your identity is accomplished by presenting an official photo ID and a second form of identification that includes your current address.

We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices, please visit our Privacy Policy and Data Protection Statement.

By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

There is an annual Membership Fee.  There are no additional fees for borrowing an item, except if it is returned late or uncleaned.

Renewing Membership

You can renew your membership before it expires. This can be done online by logging in to your Library of Things account. Close to the expiration date of your membership you will receive a reminder with instructions, or you can find more info on how to renew on our website.

Borrowing Items

By taking possession of any item, you are certifying that you are capable of using that item in a safe and proper manner. In becoming a Member of PLoTs you are agreeing to relinquish any and all claims against the Penicuik Library of Things.

You, the Member, remain responsible for the item while it is in the possession of a designated second person you have registered on your account.  The designated second person may pick up or drop off your item for you.

Only you, the Member, are authorized to use PLoTs things. You shall not permit any other person to use the items you borrow unless by express permission of the Library of Things.

You agree that the Library of Things is not responsible for any manufacturing defects in quality of workmanship or materials inherent in any borrowed things. If a tool breaks, becomes unsafe or is malfunctioning, you agree to stop using it. We want our things used lots, but they will eventually break down. We won’t hold you responsible and will organise a replacement, but you must notify us of the issue on return, if not earlier.

Some things require consumable parts (e.g. sanders have sanding pads, jigsaws have blades, etc). Please note they are not guaranteed to come with the tool. You may have to buy your own blades, sanding pads, etc… If they are provided, please bear in mind that these consumable parts come at a cost, and should you use them, you should either replace them, or donate to cover their cost.

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

Renewing Loans

At present you can renew items only by contacting us – we do not currently allow online self-renewals.

We may consider renewing your item if:

1. 1. no other Member has reserved the item, and
   2. no official restrictions, such as those imposed during a pandemic, prevent normal running of PLoTs.

The Library of Things reserves the right to refuse or limit renewals. For example, at times when items are in particularly high demand.

Requesting Items

We have a standard weekly pattern:

Things may be reserved in advance: Currently, no earlier than the Saturday one week before pick-up.

Volunteers will check that the item has not been booked by someone else, find alternatives if required and communicate with you any necessary information for the collection. You understand that all reservations are only confirmed once you receive a confirmation from us that the item is ready for collection (in addition to the confirmation that you have requested to borrow the item.

To give us enough notice, you must send a reservation request before 9am on the collection Saturday. Any reservation requests sent after the deadline will not be processed.

If possible, give at least 24 hours’ notice for any changes to your reservations. If you no longer need to borrow an item or cannot fulfil a reservation, you agree to cancel your request immediately.

Returning Items

All things are to be returned in the same (or better) condition as they were issued, barring normal wear and tear.

All things borrowed are to be returned to the Library of Things by close of business on their due date. Unless otherwise agreed, items may only be returned during the Library of Things’ opening hours. Please return things to the place they were borrowed from. Failure to do so may mean a delay in them being checked in and late fees being accumulated.

All things must be returned clean, and the Library of Things may charge the member £5 to cover the cost of cleaning.

If an item is returned late, you will be responsible for a late fee. Please be considerate. Other people may be relying on you to return the items on time. It is better for everyone if items are returned on time without late fees applying. The late fee will be 50p per day for handheld tools, and £1 per day for powered item for every day until the item is returned. All fees are per item, so if you have more than one item, you will be charged a separate late fee for each item.

Late fees are capped at the full replacement cost of the items. The Library of Things may replace items that are severely overdue, holding the Member responsible for the full replacement cost plus a £5 administrative fee. Late fees must be paid in full before borrowing further items.

You agree to pay for the loss of or damage to any item through misuse, and further agree to accept the Library of Things’ assessment of the condition of items and further agree to the Library of Things’ 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.

The Library of Things reserves the right to use appropriate steps to retrieve delinquent things or unpaid fines and late fees, including the use of a collection agency and/or legal action and assess the delinquent Member with the cost of any such action. Under UK Law, ”borrowing without the intent to return” is theft. The Library of Things reserves the right to contact the police to retrieve things if it deems such action appropriate. The Library of Things also reserves the right to forgive late fees due to special circumstances.

IN SHORT

• • You borrow the items in our library at your own risk
  • Return items clean, on the day they are due back, to the place you picked them up from and during normal opening hours unless otherwise agreed
  • Use common sense when using the items you borrow
  • And tell us if there is any problem.

And now for the serious bit…

By becoming a Member of PLoTs you are affirming that:

• • you agree to comply with the Members Agreement and Library Use Policy and know that Items have to be returned clean and on time, otherwise you can be charged the additional fees listed above; also that failing to return an Item may result in revocation of borrowing privileges and even legal action against you in some cases;
  • the information you provided is current, true, and correct, and you understand that this information might be subject to verification.  You will notify us of any change of address during your membership.
  • you waive all rights to make any claims against PLoTs or the Penicuik Community Development Trust, who’s volunteers run PLoTs, and you understand you are solely responsible for anything that happens because of Borrowing an Item, even if the Item turns out to be faulty.

You will be able to agree to this Member Agreement and Library Use Policy either online or on a paper copy available at the Pen-y-Coe Press.