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Home > Collection > Library of Things > The Shed > Garden Tool Borrowing Rules

Garden Tool Borrowing Rules

Arlington residents or property owners over the age of 18 are eligible to borrow tools from The Shed: Arlington's Garden Tool Lending Library (GTLL). 

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Participation in the Garden Tool Lending Library requires:

  • An active Library card
  • Registration at the Central Library Circulation Desk
  • Completed GTLL Waiver and Indemnification Form [pdf] (borrowers under age 18 must have a parent/guardian co-sign the Waiver in person)
  • Adherence to The Shed's full registration & borrowing policies

Borrowers who move out of Arlington will no longer be eligible to participate in the program.

How the Garden Tool Lending Library Works

Selecting Your Tools

The Shed tool collection now operates on a holds-only basis:

  1. Place holds on tools in the catalog. We will notify you when the tools are ready for pickup.
  2. After receiving your "hold ready" notification, pick up your paper hold notice from the holds shelf at Central Library.
  3. Bring your paper hold notice to the Customer Service Desk to check out your tools.

Borrowing

  • Tools can be borrowed for 7 days, with one renewal if there are no existing holds.
  • 5 tools can be borrowed at a time.
  • Only the borrower is authorized to use the tools.

Returning

  • Tools must be returned clean to the Customer Service Desk at Central Library.
  • Tools may not be returned through library book drops.

Cleaning

  • Clean tools immediately after use.
  • Wash with water.
  • Use a wire brush to loosen soil stuck to blades.
  • Coat blades with light oil like WD-40 on areas prone to rust.
Browse The Tools & Place Your Holds
View Full Registration & Borrowing Policies Expand

When you borrow tools from The Shed, you agree to follow these rules to help our collection operate safely and sustainably.

Overview

  • Only Arlington residents or property owners over the age of 18 are eligible to borrow tools from The Shed, or the Arlington Garden Tool Lending Library (GTLL).
  • Borrowers under age 18 must have a parent co-sign the Waiver and Indemnification Form in person.
  • The borrowing period is 7 days, with one auto-renewal if needed. Five tools may be borrowed at any one time.
  • Borrowers must register at the Central Library Circulation Desk prior to borrowing tools from The Shed.

Registration Includes:

  • Verification / creation of valid Arlington Public Library (APL) card with Arlington address.
    • To obtain an APL card, bring driver’s license with current Arlington address or photo ID and one of the following: current lease/rental agreement (with patron's name listed as tenant), or current tax bill (in patron's name) identifying ownership of property in Arlington, or utility bill (in patron's name) dated within the last 30 days.
    • Patrons who rent mailboxes must provide proof of residency or property ownership in Arlington before being granted borrowing privileges at The Shed.
  • Signing of Waiver and Indemnification Form.

Borrowing Policies

  • All tools and equipment lent by The Shed are the property of Arlington Public Library. Only the borrower is authorized to use the tools. The borrower shall not permit the use of said tools by any other person except by the express permission of the Library.
  • The borrower agrees that Arlington Public Library is not responsible for any manufacturing defects in the quality of workmanship or materials inherent in any tools borrowed from The Shed.
  • The borrower agrees that if any borrowed tool becomes unsafe or in a state of disrepair, the borrower will immediately discontinue the use of the tool and return it to the Library.
  • Before borrowing any tool or piece of equipment, the borrower shall sign a form of Waiver and Idemnification to be provided by Arlington Public Library. The borrower acknowledges that they are capable of using the tool in a safe and proper manner.
  • The borrowing period is 7 days, one auto-renewal is allowed. Five tools may be borrowed at any one time. The borrower agrees to return any borrowed item during Central Library's open hours on or before the due date.
  • All tools must be returned clean, and in the same condition (normal wear and tear excepted) as when borrowed. The borrower agrees to pay for the loss of or damage to any tool on loan to them.
  • The Library will email notices 3 days before a tool is due and when it is 3 days overdue. Lost notices will be sent via U.S. mail after the tool is 28 days overdue. If the tools are not returned after the notice has been sent, appropriate steps will be taken to retrieve them, including by the collection agency and/or legal action.
  • The Library may replace severely delinquent tools and hold the borrower responsible for the full replacement cost. Repeated failure to return tools on time may result in revocation of borrowing privileges.
  • The Library reserves the right to limit the number of tools borrowed and to alter the maximum loan period.
  • The Library retains the right to refuse the loan of any item for failure to comply with any of the above rules and regulations, or for falsification of any information.
  • Shed borrowers who move out of Arlington will no longer be eligible to participate in the program.

Garden Tool Lending Library tools and services supported by the Friends of the Arlington Public Library (FOAL)!

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