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Morgantown unveils city-operated tool lending library with free memberships
Summary
City staff demonstrated a new, grant-funded tool lending library that will loan roughly 500 tools from two mobile trailers, use MyTurn software for reservations, and aim to launch in late October.
Caitlin Lewis, community development services coordinator for the City of Morgantown, told City Council on Oct. 7 that the city will open a free, city-operated tool lending library this month, using a $50,000 ARPA grant to buy two mobile trailers and an initial inventory of tools.
Lewis said the program will be available to Morgantown residents and local organizations through the MyTurn online platform. ‘‘All our memberships are free,’’ Lewis said, describing three membership tiers — Everyday (items of assigned value up to $250, no credit card on file), Project (full inventory access with a credit card on file) and Local Organization (full inventory plus delivery for a designated representative). "We're going to be able to go live by the end of this month," she added.
The program will start with about 500 inventory items housed in an 8-by-16 trailer (full inventory) and a 6-by-10 trailer intended for delivery to project sites, Lewis said. Loan periods are seven days with one seven-day renewal; late returns will incur $1 per day up to 30 days, after which replacement cost may be charged. Deliveries to project sites will require roughly 30 days' notice and a $15 fee to cover fuel and incidentals, Lewis said.
Lewis described safeguards intended to protect inventory and access: ID and proof of Morgantown residency are required; Everyday members are limited to lower‑value items without a credit card on file; Project and Organization members must provide a credit card; and MyTurn allows staff to set item-level assigned values (lower than retail for some items) so borrowing limits can be enforced. She said most tools have at least two copies in inventory, though some items such as the chainsaw currently have only one and could be out of service if damaged.
Council members asked about backup tools, maintenance and accessibility. Lewis said routine sharpening and minor maintenance will be done in-house with help from building maintenance staff; major repairs will be evaluated case by case. She also said administrators and front‑desk staff can register users or check out tools for users who cannot navigate the website, and that the MyTurn interface can be customized (for example, via HTML on the home page) to improve accessibility.
Lewis said the city is not accepting donations initially because staff want to ensure quality and consistency of the inventory; donations may be considered after the program stabilizes.
City staff and councilors described the program as a resource for residents doing property maintenance or neighborhood cleanups and for local groups organizing volunteer projects. Delivery and the local-organization membership are intended specifically to support volunteer cleanups and neighborhood initiatives.
The presentation concluded with council and public praise and a reminder from Lewis that staff will continue to refine the program and expand hours, deliveries and inventory over time.
