Equipment Lending Policy

The library aims to make learning and discovery equipment available for public use. Due to the high cost and high care requirement of equipment, we have adopted the following lending policy to ensure that this resource continues to exist for the entire community.
 

Lending Policy

• Anyone over 18 years of age and with an Ocean State Libraries card in good standing may check out one piece of equipment at a time. “In good standing” means that the account does not have overdue items or fines, is more than one month old, and shows previous borrowing activity.
   
• Equipment must be returned directly to a staff member at Exeter Public Library.
   
• Equipment may be checked out for 7 days, and renewed twice if there is no one waiting. If there is a waitlist, equipment must be returned after 7 days.
   

Borrower Policy

• In order to borrow equipment, borrowers must have a signed Equipment Borrowing Agreement on file, affirming that they have read and agree to this policy in full.
   
• Borrowers must read and follow instructions for using and caring for equipment. It is the borrower’s responsibility to understand how to operate equipment with safety to themself and to the equipment.
   
• Borrowers must use equipment for its intended purpose only and nothing else besides its intended purpose.
   
• Borrowers must supervise any child who uses equipment for the entire duration of their use.
   
• Borrowers are responsible for the replacement cost of equipment damaged or destroyed due to misuse, neglect, or carelessness. Neglect includes leaving equipment in an unsecured location or exposed to adverse conditions, such as dust, moisture, hot direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, etc. (This provision excludes normal wear-and-tear and incidental defect or damage during routine use of equipment within prescribed parameters.)
   
• Borrowers are responsible for the replacement cost of equipment damaged or destroyed by accident. (This provision excludes normal wear-and-tear and incidental defect or damage during routine use of equipment within prescribed parameters.)
   
• Borrowers are responsible for the replacement cost of equipment if it is lost or stolen.
   

Enforcement

Failure to follow this policy, including habitual or excessive lateness in returning equipment, will result in loss of equipment borrowing privileges.
 

Approved by the Exeter Public Library Board of Trustees 4/21/2022