I plan to speak to my city council about creating a tool library, where citizens use their existing library card to checkout tools. To make the idea a bit more robust, I’m also planning to require citizens deposit something as collateral when checking out a tool.
However.
I live in Texas (I love Texas). Thankfully my city council is receptive, but I know they’re going to need compelling evidence before approving something like this.
So, if you guys have any advice, or examples, particularly of this kind of system working in the US, I would love to hear about it!
Because the tragedy of commons applies. Someone selfish will keep it or break it, or replace their own broken tool.
The idea of a collateral here would be something the fraction of the cost if the tool thats still an incentive to return it safe and sound.
Thw collateral is returned afterwards
It also prevents gradual decline. If someone keeps a shovel forever, but they left an axe, well now the library has an axe they can lend out.