Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL INFO

How do memberships work?
Memberships are required to check out tools and use the workshop. Each membership duration has a suggested donation attached to it. Memberships can be renewed or extended at any time, either in person or online through your MyTurn account. New members will need to fill out a hard-copy membership form here at the library in addition to the online signup.

How do checkouts work?
Ask one of our librarians for what you’re looking for. Each tool has a suggested donation attached to it, generally $1-3 for hand tools, $5-7 for most power tools, and $10-20 for large power tools. All we need is your name to pull up your account; while we can find accounts by username or member ID, we cannot search by phone number or email address.

What’s up with all these suggested donations?
WSTL is almost entirely funded through memberships and checkouts. We are a pay-what-you-can organization; all payments and fees are classified as donations, making them negotiable and even waivable. You’re welcome to give more, less, none at all– we’re always happy to work with you so our services are accessible to all. Thank you for your support!

Do I need to sign up online?
No, we can handle the entire signup process in person, including the creation of your MyTurn account.

CHECKOUTS & RENEWALS

How long are items checked out for?
Items are usually checked out for one week. Some high-demand items will be checked out for two days. Demand for certain items fluctuates seasonally; e.g. lawnmowers will go out for two days in spring, but can be checked out for a week in autumn.

What if I need a tool for more than a week?
Many items are sufficiently stocked to go out for multiple weeks. Extended checkouts are handled on a case-by-case basis; ask our librarians about specific items. If your project takes longer than expected, you can almost always renew your checkout.

How do I renew an item?
The best way to renew an item is to come in person and have one of our librarians renew it for you. If you can’t make it in, reply to the automated reminder email and request a renewal– we may not get the item renewed in our inventory, but when you bring it back we can look up the email and remove any late fees.

How do late fees work?
Late fees are tallied by the computer on a daily basis. The computer usually gets it wrong. The actual late fee will be calculated manually by the librarian handling the check-in, and will total the suggested donation for the tool(s) times the number of weeks overdue. As with all our fees, late fees are classified as suggested donations, and can be discounted to whatever you can pay.

A tool I checked out stopped working!
Sorry about that! Our inventory is almost entirely donated, and most of our tools saw long service before they got to us. If a tool is broken or malfunctioning, bring it back and we will swap it out for a working one and extend the due date.

RESERVATIONS

Can I reserve items?
Reservations are available! Beware, MyTurn’s reservation system is still in development and may be confusing to inexperienced users. Reservations are filled each day after we open. You will get an email when your reservation is submitted, and another when it’s ready for pickup. Reservations requested after opening will generally not be filled until the following day. Not all items are available for reservation.

Do I have to reserve items?
Reservations are not required– walk-ins are welcome!

Why can’t I reserve certain items?
To maintain equitable availability for members without computer access, items that are in limited stock cannot be reserved. These items will be marked with the flag “Walk-In Only” and will not display the reservation calendar on their inventory page.

returns

Can I return an item early?
Returns can be made at any time– no need to wait until the due date.

Can someone else return an item for me?
Our check-in procedure uses the item number to pull up the account it’s checked out to, so anyone can return a tool. Late fees, if present, will be accrued on the account and discussed the next time you come in.

Can I return a tool outside of open hours?
We require all returns to be made during open hours. Because there are no librarians present, tools dropped off outside of open hours will not be checked in or secured. If a tool dropped off outside of open hours is stolen due to being unsecured, you may be held liable for fees up to the replacement cost of the tool.

DONATIONS

What can I donate?
We accept both tools and monetary contributions. Not all physical donations can be accepted: see the Donate page for more information.

Can I drop off donations outside of open hours?
All donations must be dropped off during open hours. Donations dropped off while we are closed attract theft and are annoying to our librarians and neighbors. If your schedule precludes donating during our open hours, contact us and we may be able to arrange a pickup at a more convenient time for you.

workshop & SERVICES

Can you repair my tools, appliances, etc.?
We offer limited repair services– bring it down and we’ll be happy to take a look. Alternatively, keep an eye on our events page for upcoming repair events.

How can I use the workshop?
The workshop is available to all members during our open hours. You can reserve time for the workshop or the laser cutter here; walk-ins are also welcome, but we cannot guarantee availability.

I’m new to carpentry, metalworking, home repair, etc., can you help?
Absolutely! We’re happy to teach you tool use and construction and repair techniques.