Welcome to Beyond Books – WCFL’s Library of Things
WCFL’s Library of Things (LOT) collection, which will be available only at the Fletcher Branch in Hagerstown, will consist of a wide range of items. It will largely focus on items that you might not use on a regular basis, but might want for a specific project or need. However, we are open to any suggestions.
Most of the items available for checkout will not be circulated with consumables, meaning things like saw blades, sandpaper, thread, or any other items that would be used up in the process of using the item at home.
What’s Available to Borrow?
The Library of Things collection will continue to grow and change as we work on building the collection and figure out what kinds of items work best. The items that are ready to go, or will soon be ready to go, are in the following categories:
| Main Category | Sub-Categories |
|---|---|
| Home | Moving or Office |
| Create | Music, Craft, or Content (i.e., podcasting equipment, etc.) |
| Self-Care | Health or Fitness |
| Food | Baking, Cooking, or Display |
| Recreation | Activities, Party, or Games |
| Tools | Power, Diagnostic, Auto, Manual, Outdoors, or Accessories |
Anyone 18 or older, who lives, works, or goes to school in Maryland may apply in person at the LOT Desk on the second floor of the Fletcher Branch in Hagerstown. A regular WCFL library card in good standing is required before you can sign up to borrow items from the Library of Things. You will also be asked to sign a liability waiver on an annual basis.
Your Library of Things library card number will be the barcode number on your regular WCFL library card, with the letters LOT added in front of the number.
Your regular library card account will be blocked if you accrue $30 or more in fines or fees on your LOT account.
To Find Items in the Library Catalog: Search Library of Things and filter by branch (Hagerstown).
Requesting Items: Items may be requested online, in person, or by phone.
- Standard procedures for placing holds apply. Hagerstown should be selected as the pickup location. Reserved items may not be sent to other branches.
- Up to 4 holds per card.
- Holds must be picked up within 7 days.
Borrowing: Library of Things items are only available for borrowing at the LOT Desk on the second floor of the Fletcher Branch:
- You will need to present your library card and a picture ID.
- The borrowing period is 7 days; no renewals.
- Maximum of 4 items checked out per card.
- By borrowing a Library of Things item, the borrower accepts financial responsibility for paying the replacement fee if the item is not returned in good condition.
Returns: All returns must be made in-person to the LOT Desk on the second floor of the Fletcher Branch:
- Returns should not be put in a book drop or returned at the main Circulation Desk. There will be a $5.00 per item charge if items are put in the book drop or left outside.
- LOT items must be returned clean and as received (all pieces accounted for, cords wrapped, batteries removed, etc.), in the container or bag in which it was circulated, with the tag still attached.
- All returned items will be thoroughly inspected for cleanliness, damage, and missing parts. If it is determined that the item is not sufficiently clean to circulate again, you have the option of taking it back home to clean or paying a $10.00 cleaning fee.
- Items that cannot be cleaned sufficiently enough to be circulated again will be considered damaged and the full replacement cost will be charged.
Fines: Items not returned in seven days will be considered overdue. The daily fine for late items is $2.00 per day. Items will be declared lost after 14 days and the replacement cost, plus a $10 processing fee, will be charged to the borrower.
Lost and Damaged: Upon checkout, the borrower assumes full financial responsibility for the equipment and all of its components. The working condition of equipment will be assessed by library staff before checkout and upon return.
- Patrons will be charged the full replacement cost of any lost or damaged item.
- Replacements of lost or damaged items from the LOT collection are not accepted instead of cash.
- A $10.00 processing fee will be added to the replacement cost if the full replacement cost is charged. No processing fee will be added if the charge is only for replacement parts.
- The cost of replacement parts will vary. The fee for replacing the library tag that comes with the item will be $3.00.