Membership Policy

By purchasing a Membership and signing the Membership Policy agreement, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the KW Library of Things (KWLOT) Borrowing Policy and Indemnification Form outlined below.

1. Membership Eligibility

  • Members must be 18 years of age or older to join KWLOT.

  • To activate a Membership, individuals must:

    • Complete a Membership Application.

    • Sign the Indemnification Form.

    • Sign this Borrowing Policy agreement.

2. Membership Details

  • Memberships are non-transferable and apply only to the household of the member on file.

  • Members must provide accurate and up-to-date information during registration and promptly update any changes.

  • Members are responsible for ensuring borrowed items are used solely by themselves or their immediate household. Members are responsible for any damages caused during the use of borrowed items.

  • There are 4 Membership tiers (Base, Plus, Premium, and Community Builder) and members can upgrade between tiers by paying the prorated amount.

  • Members are billed annually and are required to have their credit card on file for a) an optional auto-renewal and b) lost, damaged, or one-time item charges.

3. Borrowing Policies

  • Maximum Items per Loan:

    • Base Members may borrow up to 5 items in one loan.

    • Plus Members may borrow up to 10 items in one loan

    • Premium Members may borrow up to 15 items in one loan

    • Community Builder Members may borrow up to 20 items in one loan

  • Loan Periods:

    • Base Members may borrow items for up to 4 days (or 5 days on days where KWLOT is not open).

    • Plus Members may borrow items for up to 7 days.

    • Premium Members may borrow items for up to 14 days.

    • Community Builder Members may borrow items for up to 14 days.

  • Premium Tools:

    • Base Members may borrow Premium Tools on a pay-per-use basis.

    • Plus, Premium, and Community Builder Members have access to all KWLOT tools as part of their Membership fee and will have the pay-per-use fee waived.

    • KWLOT reserves the right to add, remove, and modify pay-per-use fees to all tools as we learn more about its usage and maintenance requirements.

  • Simultaneous Bookings:

    • Base Members may have up to 2 reservations simultaneously.

    • Plus Members may have up to 5 reservations simultaneously.

    • Premium Members may have up to 7 reservations simultaneously.

    • Community Builder Members may have up to 10 reservations simultaneously.

  • Additional Tier Benefits:

Plus, Premium, and Community Builder Members may receive additional evolving benefits, including but not limited to, early registration for workshops, surveys to influence new item purchases, and priority access to new service offerings or new tools.

  • Renewals:

There are no renewals on items. Back-to-back reservations are not permitted and the items may be subject to a Recovery Fee. We may consider extensions to the next operational day for a fee on a case-by-case basis, as long as the item is not booked by another member.

  • Returning Items:

All items must be returned to KWLOT during designated return hours. Members are responsible for ensuring items are returned on or before their due date.

  • Social Impact:

    • Premium Members subsidize 1 base Membership for a community member with financial needs as part of their Membership, as determined by KWLOT. This will be recognized with a $50 charitable tax receipt.

    • Premium Members subsidize 3 base Memberships for a community member with financial needs as part of their Membership, as determined by KWLOT. This will be recognized with a $150 charitable tax receipt.

4. Fair Use Policy

  • Members are encouraged to borrow items in a manner that respects other members and the shared nature of KWLOT resources.

  • Excessive borrowing or monopolization of specific items may result in temporary borrowing restrictions.

  • We encourage Members to only borrow items for the period that they need it for, which allows more Members to use our items! For example, if you only need an item for 2 days, please book it for 2 days instead of 7 days, enabling our tools to circulate more often each year.

5. Lost or Damaged Items

  • Members are responsible for returning items in the same condition as borrowed, subject to normal wear and tear.

  • If an item is lost, damaged, or missing parts, members will be charged the repair or replacement cost, as determined by KWLOT.

6. Late Fees & Lost Items

  • KWLOT does not charge Late Fees. However, failure to return items on time may result in temporary suspension of borrowing privileges.

  • If the item does not return on time and impacts the next reservation, KWLOT reserves the right to charge an Item Recovery Fee up to 100% of the cost of the replacement item. The recovery fee is influenced by factors such as needing to purchase a replacement item or needing to drive to a member’s house to pick up the item.

  • Items not returned within 14 days of the due date will be considered lost, and members will be charged the replacement cost. Borrowing privileges will remain suspended until the account is settled.

7. General Policies

  • KWLOT reserves the right to refuse loans at its discretion.

  • KWLOT Members cannot loan items out while they have overdue items.

  • KWLOT staff are available to explain the safe operation of items, but members are responsible for using items safely and properly. By borrowing, members certify their ability to use the items safely.

  • If an item becomes unsafe or defective during use, members must immediately stop using it and notify KWLOT upon return.

  • KWLOT reserves the right to amend this Membership Policy and Indemnification Form at any time. Members will be notified of significant changes via email and updates posted on the KWLOT website.

Indemnification Form

I am capable of using the tools I am borrowing. I will use the tools I am borrowing in a safe and proper manner.

On behalf of myself and my successors and assigns, in consideration of being permitted to borrow tools, waive any and all claims against the KW Library of Things or Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region for any injury or injuries of any nature that I may suffer or incur in the use of the tools that I am borrowing from the KW Library of Things.

On behalf of myself and my successors and assigns, in consideration of being permitted to borrow tools, agree to release and indemnify and hold harmless the both KW Library of Things and Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region, their officers, agents, volunteers, and employees from any and all liability, loss, claims, and demands, actions or causes of action for the death or injury to any persons and for any property damage suffered or incurred by any person which arises or may arise or be occasioned in any way from the use or possession of tools I am borrowing from the KW Library of Things.

I affirm that the information I have provided in the Membership Application Form is current, true and correct and may be subject to verification. I further state that I have read and fully understand the KW Library of Things Rules and Borrowing Policies (attached) and I understand that failure to comply with any of these rules may result in revocation of my borrowing privileges and/or legal action against me.