Tool Library in the Labs Policy

Approved Board of Library Trustees September 28, 2022

The District of Columbia Public Library Board of Trustees, pursuant to the authority set forth in An Act To establish and provide for the maintenance of a free public library and reading room in the District of Columbia, approved June 3, 1896, as amended (29 Stat. 244, ch. 315, § 5; D.C. Official Code § 39-105 (2012 Supp.)); Section 3205 (jjj) of the District of Columbia Government Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-139; D.C. Official Code § 39-105 (2012 Supp.)); Section 2 of the District of Columbia Public Library Board of Trustees Appointment Amendment Act of 1985, effective September 5, 1985 (D.C. Law 6-17; D.C. Official Code § 39-105 (2012 Supp.)); and the Procurement Reform Amendment Act of 1996, effective April 12, 1997, as amended (D.C. Law 11-259; 44 DCR 1423 (March 14, 1997)); Section 156 of An Act Making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for other purposes, approved October 21, 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, Pub. L. 105-277; codified at D.C. Official Code § 39-105 (2012 Repl.)); hereby gives notice of its intent to amend the following Chapter 8 (Public Library) of Title 19 (Amusements, Parks, and Recreation) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR).

The Board of Library Trustees has appointed the Executive-Director, through D.C. Official Code §39- 105(a)(10) (2012 Repl.) to establish rules and manage the day-to-day operations of the library. The proposed rulemaking governs DC Public Library’s Labs Tool Library.

The Executive-Director of the DCPL approved these rules on September 28, 2022 and intends to take final rulemaking action to adopt the rules as final in not less than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.

Chapter 8, PUBLIC LIBRARY, of Title 19 DCMR, AMUSEMENT, PARKS, AND RECREATION is amended by adding a new Section 823 to read as follows,

823 Tool Library

823.1: DC Public Library maintains a tool library with tools for do-it-yourself automotive, garden and home projects.

823.2: DC Public Library borrowers with an active library card account, 18 or older, are eligible to borrow tools from the Labs Tool Library upon completion of a Tool Library Participant Release/Agreement. Verification of identification with an active government issued ID is required when borrowing any tool from the Labs Tool Library.

823.3: No more than eight (8) tools, including no more than three (3) power tools, may be borrowed at any one time.

823.4: All tools lent by the Labs Tool Library are the property of the DC Public Library.

823.5: Tools may only be checked-out and checked-in in person at the Labs during open hours. Tools will be inspected upon check-out and check-in by Labs staff.

823.6: Before borrowing any tool, the borrower shall sign a Labs Participant Release Form, which will be active for one (1) year beginning from the signature date. The signed Labs Participant Release Form will be kept electronically.

823.7: The loan period for tools is seven (7) days. The borrower agrees to return any borrowed tool on or before the due date in the same condition and free of any debris, normal wear and tear excepted, as when it was borrowed.

823.8: Repeated failure to return tools on time may result in revocation of borrowing privileges from the Labs Tool Library.

823.9: The borrower shall pay for the replacement of lost tools or for damages to any tool on loan to them.

823.10: When tools are not returned by the due date or returned damaged, the borrower will incur a fee of $15 for non-powered tools and $20 for power tools. Failure to return tools will result in the borrower forfeiting borrowing privileges from the Labs Tool Library. Borrowing privileges from the Labs Tool Library may be reinstated upon payment of fees. Payments for fees are nonrefundable.

823.11: If the borrower wishes to renew the loan of the tool, they may do so as long as the tool has no hold(s). The borrower may renew the loan of the tool on their library card account or by contacting the Labs in person or via phone at 202-727-1058. Up to two consecutive renewals may be made. DC Public Library staff reserves the right to refuse or limit renewals.

823.12: If a tool is not immediately available for loan, the borrower may make a hold request on DC Public Library’s online catalog or by contacting the Labs in person or via phone at 202-727-1058. Tools must be checked-out within three (3) days from when the hold is made available.

823.13: 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.

Any person desiring to comment on the subject matter of this proposed rulemaking should file comments in writing not later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice in the D.C. Register. Comments should be submitted to J. Kevin Mcintyre, DCPL, General Counsel, via e-mail at General.Counsel@dc.gov or by mail to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street, N.W., 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001. Telephone: (202) 727-1134. Copies of the proposed rulemaking may be obtained by writing to the address stated above.