Hi Cierra! Our district libraries have some collections but we're working on expanding our Libraries of Things and hopefully working out a way to share items between branches later on. We're up in the eastern UP and pretty spread out geographically. I'm working on updating our policy as well and asking myself the same questions! You may be aware of this already but there is really great google group of public libraries with LoTs, here's a link to their welcome page: LOT Mutual Aid<https://sites.google.com/view/lotmutualaid/home> They do monthly knowledge shares (looks like the next one is on solarpunk libraries, cool!) and their listserv is SUPER helpful and open for anyone to join. Several libraries have shared their policies on there that have already been reviewed by their state library. As for your questions, * For now I'm planning on having language in our district policy that allows individual libraries to set limits on the number of items patrons may borrow as needed to preserve fair access. Some of our items and kits work well together, and I don't want to create barriers where they aren't necessary. Every library will be different, of course. We currently aren't facing a high demand for our items, if that changes in the future we may set a limit. I typically see other libraries set it around 3 to 5 at a time. * Our district has patrons renew their borrowing privilege annually, I think it's reasonable for us to have patrons review and sign the lending agreements/waiver when they update their regular borrowing privilege. * I admit I'm new to this library stuff so I don't know the lingo but for late items our goal is getting the item back, not raising funds through fines. So my plan is to have late fees incurred as soon as the item is late and notify the patron, but waive those fees once the item is returned complete and in working order. If not it will eventually go to collections as we do with books. Also some of our libraries only have one staff member, so our policy will be to not accept items that are not clean. It is the patron's responsibility to clean the item and it will be considered late until returned clean, at which point the fee will be waived. As I said I'm new to this and still working on our policy so I'm hesitant to share ours until it's been reviewed, but I highly recommend the LOT Mutual Aid page. Not that this isn't an appropriate place to ask, I love seeing LoT chat on Michlib-l! Alex Pink Library of Things Coordinator Superior District Library ________________________________ From: Cierra Bakovka via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Tuesday, September 1, 2026 5:52 PM To: Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Library of Things Hi all, We've had our Things for about 5ish years now and are in the process of reviewing our policies. I would love to see what everyone else is doing please! * What is your limit on # of "LoT" items that can be checked out per patron? * How often do they have to sign a lending agreement/liability waiver? * What do you do about long billed things? (ex: pursuit of return, etc). Also, I'd like to see your policy language if possible. Please and thank you! Cierra Bakovka, MLIS She/Her Director Henika District Library 149 South Main St. Wayland, MI 49348 269-792-2891 ext. 309 cierra@henikalibrary.org<mailto:cierra@henikalibrary.org> [cid:0.1730345280.384957521562156857.1a05ef54828__inline__img__src]