Your Members Agreement

Terms

To keep our Library of Things a friendly, fair, and respectful space for everyone, we have these simple terms in place. They help us all enjoy sharing responsibly. If we find that someone isn’t respecting this agreement, we may need to end their membership. We love hearing your stories and feedback about your experience – please just drop us an email at hello@sharebristol.org.uk or pop into any Share Bristol location to chat.

Joining Share Bristol

Here’s what you need to become a member:

• Be 18 years old or over.
• Sign up as an individual under your own name (our Things aren’t for organisations or professional use).
• Provide personal details for our membership system (Lend Engine at things.sharebristol.org.uk), including:
  • Full name
  • Current address
  • Telephone number
  • A valid email address
• Confirm your identity and address when collecting your first Thing by showing:
  • A valid photo ID
  • A second proof of address dated within the last three months
• Pay the annual Share Bristol membership fee.
• Agree to this Members Agreement and our Liability Waiver.

Your Responsibilities as a Member

• You confirm you’re over 18 years old.
• Please keep your personal details up to date and accurate in our system.

Your Privacy Matters to Us

At Share Bristol, protecting your privacy is important. We’re open about how we collect and use your information. To find out more, please visit our Privacy Policy.

Booking and Reserving Things

• Reserve and renew items through your account, either by yourself or with help from our team at a Library of Things.
• Every reservation will be confirmed with an email – so you know it’s all set.
• You can renew each item up to two times, as long as it’s done before the due date and no one else has reserved it.
• We may limit or refuse renewals depending on demand to keep things fair for everyone.
• At our discretion, we can refuse to lend any item.
• Availability of Things isn’t guaranteed at all times.
• If your plans change, please cancel any reservations you no longer need promptly – this helps others get access too.
• You’ll need to clear any outstanding payments before making new reservations or borrowing more items.
• You agree not to borrow more than 10 items at once, so there’s plenty to go around for all members.

Borrowing and Using Items

• The borrowing period is up to two weeks – please return items by their due date to keep things running smoothly for everyone.
• Please check the condition of items before use, especially electrical ones. For example, look out for damaged wires or plugs and avoid using them near water unless they’re designed for that.
• Keep the borrowed items safe and store them securely while they’re in your care.
• The Things you borrow are just for you. Don’t let anyone else use them unless Share Bristol has given explicit permission.
• You’re covered by insurance when using borrowed items – but this doesn’t extend to anyone else using them without permission. If others use the items (like at an event), they won’t be insured for any damage or injury. You’ll need your own public liability insurance in those cases.

• You agree to use all borrowed items carefully and for their intended purpose.
• It’s your responsibility to familiarise yourself with how to use each item safely and take any necessary precautions, including wearing protective gear when needed.
• Please note, Share Bristol does not provide demonstrations on how to use the items.
• If an item becomes unsafe or damaged while you’re using it, please stop using it immediately.
• You agree not to use borrowed items for any professional work where you charge a fee, as this isn’t covered by our insurance.
• Using items this way could risk your membership being ended.

Reporting Accidental Damage

• If you accidentally damage something, please let us know straight away by emailing hello@sharebristol.org.uk or telling us when you return the item at the Library of Things.
• This helps us set aside time to fix it and keep things safe for everyone else.
• Keep in mind that Share Bristol is not responsible for any manufacturing defects or inherent faults with the items.

Returning Borrowed Things

• Please return all items by the stated due date and by close of business so other members can enjoy them too.
• Returns must be made during opening hours only to the same location where you borrowed them.
• If you have overdue items, you won’t be able to borrow more until they’re returned.
• If you’re having trouble returning something on time, please get in touch with us right away.
• Please return everything in good condition, clean and ready for the next person to use comfortably. Normal wear and tear is expected, but excessive dirt or damage isn’t acceptable.

Late Returns and Fees

• A late fee of £2 per day will apply for each item not returned on time - this runs even if Share Bristol is closed.
• If an item isn’t returned within one week after the due date, it may be treated as lost and you could be charged the full replacement cost.
• If things are returned unclean or in a way that could spoil someone’s experience, we may charge a £5 cleaning fee.

Our Assessment & Fair Compensation

• You agree that Share Bristol’s judgement on the condition of returned items is final and fair.
• If there’s damage, misuse, loss (partial or total), you may be asked to pay compensation which could be up to the full replacement value of the item(s).
• You agree to pay all fees promptly. Fees must be fully paid before you can borrow any more Things and won’t be more than what it would cost to buy the item new. Share Bristol may take necessary steps to recover damaged items or unpaid fees, including legal action if needed. If legal action is taken, you’ll be charged for any related costs.
• We understand that life happens, so Share Bristol can choose to forgive fees in special cases. 
• If you don’t follow this agreement, we may suspend your borrowing rights.