Background
1. Who are Petha?
Petha is a pilot project led by Dolan, a network of community enterprises that includes Partneriaeth Ogwen, Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog, and Yr Orsaf. Partneriaeth Ogwen is the lead partner for this project.
Gwynedd Council are a partner in the project, and Petha items can be collected and returned via Gwynedd Libraries. The Welsh Government is funding the project following a successful application by Gwynedd Council to the Circular Economy Fund.
Petha is also part of the Benthyg Cymru network, who support the development of Libraries of Things across Wales.
2. Why Petha?
Petha's aim is to trial the benefits of developing a Library of Things in Gwynedd. The concept behind Libraries of Things is simple; they’re similar to a traditional Library, but instead of borrowing books, you borrow things.
The type of things that can be borrowed include tools, gardening equipment, toys, camping equipment, craft or cooking equipment and much more. The idea is to offer the type of items that we can often hold in our homes, yet use infrequently, for community use. By borrowing them rather than buying, we can save money, save space in our homes, and reduce the environmental impact of items we use.
3. What does Petha want to achieve?
The aim of Petha is to establish Petha Libraries across 3 communities in Gwynedd (Dyffryn Ogwen, Dyffryn Nantlle and Bro Ffestiniog). The main objectives of the project are:
- Reduce people buying things unnecessarily and promote a culture of co-owning, borrowing and sharing goods at community level.
- Promoting the ethos of the circular economy leading to a reduction in waste while keeping materials and equipment in use for as long as possible.
- Creating entrepreneurial opportunities based on the principles of the foundational economy, providing tools and equipment that can be loaned.
- Reducing inequality by providing access to goods in an affordable and sustainable manner for all.
- Contribute to community well-being by creating and supporting opportunities to come together.
- Develop educational opportunities based on the objectives of the project, or relevant broader objectives such as climate change, encouraging entrepreneurship and creativity or preventing waste.
Membership
4. Who can be a member?
Anyone over 18, who lives in Gwynedd, can be a member.
5. How do I join?
You can join online, by visiting petha.cymru and clicking Catalog, then Create an Account. After creating an online account, items can be ordered to be collected from one of the 3 Petha libraries (Bethesda, Blaenau Ffestiniog or Penygroes). The first time you collect an item you will need to bring some form of identification that
shows an address with you and you will need to fill in a membership form on paper.
6. Is there a cost to join?
No, membership is free but you will have to pay to borrow some items. This is to help with the cost of buying the item, to help pay for the costs of the project, or to pay for the cost of renewable items (consumables) that come with the item eg. carpet cleaning fluid that comes with the carpet cleaner.
7. Do I have to live within the 3 communities where Petha Libraries are located to be a member?
No, membership is open to everyone in Gwynedd, but you will have to travel to one of the current locations (Bethesda, Blaenau Ffestiniog or Penygroes) to collect and return items.
Ordering Items
8. How do I order an item?
Use the online catalog to view what Petha has available. You can either browse the cataloge to see the range of goods on offer, or you can filter your search by location or item type, or you can search for specific items by using the search function.
If you see an item you would like to borrow, the description will tell you the cost of borrowing, the item location, and any information that is essential to the item, such as the user handbook. You can order the item by selecting a date in the calendar and following the process in the catalog until you have submitted an order.
An email will be sent to you to confirm your order when you’ve completed the process.
If there is a fee to pay - this will not be taken until the item is collected.
9. Is there a cost to borrow items through Petha?
Although we try to keep loans as affordable as possible, it is likely that there will be a fee to borrow several items in the catalog, with the exception of toys, and school uniforms, which are free.
This is due to the cost of buying items, costs to run the system, insurance costs, staffing and costs to maintain the items. With some items, you may also need consumable items which will be charged for (eg. wax for candle making kits, or carpet cleaning fluid to go with the carpet cleaner). Consumable charges will be explained with each item's description.
10. Can we pay with something other than money?
We want the Petha library to be as accessible as possible to everyone - it is a resource for the community, not just for those who can pay.
We try to keep the costs as low as possible, and if the costs are difficult for anyone, we would encourage them to contact Petha to make alternative arrangements.
We are also looking into other arrangements, such as paying with time credits, a 'gift voucher' system or receiving referrals from organisations. We will keep you updated of any such change via our social feeds [(@petaghwynedd) or via our newsletter [hyperlink mailchimp]
Collecting Items
11. Where do I collect items I have ordered?
Petha is run from the public libraries within the three communities that are part of the project so far: Bethesda, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Penygroes. The description of the item will indicate itslocation and the opening times of the locations. The items must be collected and returned to the location where they were collected, during opening hours.
12. Can I order an item from another location i.e. order an item that is located in Penygroes and collect it from Bethesda?
At the moment, items will not move from one location to another, you will have to collect them from the location indicated in the catalog. But, we are working on developing a system where the items will move on request. Once this is available, we will let you know via social media @pethagwynedd or through our newsletter (you can subscribe here) [insert Mailchimp hyperlink here - let me know if you need me to link the account].
13. What do I need to bring with me to collect?
The first time you collect, you must bring proof of identification, which shows an address, and you will also be asked to complete a membership form. After the first time, it will not be necessary to provide this evidence.
14. Why do I need to agree to the 'liability waiver'?
It is important that everyone who borrows an item is aware that it is their responsibility to use the item in a responsible and safe way. That is why you are required to agree to that every time you borrow an item that may have a risk to it.
Petha provides a instruction manuals for items: these will be included with the listing and a laminated copy will be given to you with the loan. It is important that you read these and follow the guidelines.
15. How do I pay?
If there is a cost to the item, a fee will need to be paid when collecting it. This can be done in two ways:
Cash: Library staff can be paid in cash.
Card: The catalog uses the 'Stripe' payment system to charge you. The charge will be made when you collect the item. Important: To pay with a card you will either have to register the card on the catalog system in advance, or use one of the library's computers to register the card. Library staff cannot administer a card payment.
16. What if the item is large/heavy?
Although we try to ensure that the items we offer are easy to transport by car, it is inevitable that some items are large or heavy and possibly require more than one person to move them safely. Library staff cannot help you carry these items to the car.
The catalog listing will show if the item large with a recommendation that two people are needed to move it. It will be your responsibility to ensure that you have sufficient people/vehicle to move these items.
17. What if there is a problem with the item, that it does not work or is not complete?
This is a pilot run by a community enterprise, and we try our best to ensure that every item available is suitable for use, but if there are any problems with the item, we apologise sincerely.
If there is any problem, please contact post@petha.cymru [will confirm] or call [need to confirm the project phone number] and we will do our best to solve the problem. This phone/email will be monitored during office hours but not at weekends/evenings. You can also call into your local Petha to let them know.
18. Can items be renewed?
It is possible to renew most items in the Petha catalog (but not all). To apply for renewal, you will need to contact your local Petha library or contact a Petha officer on [phone number to be confirmed] or email post@petha.cymru [to be confirmed]
We hope to be able to enable self-renewal soon. We let you know when this becomes available via social media @pethagwynedd or through our newsletter (you can subscribe here) [mailchimp link required]
A renewal fee will be equivalent to a loan fee ie, if the item is £2.50 per week, an additional week will cost £2.50.
19. How do I know the item is safe and suitable for use?
We do our best to ensure that each item is safe, complete and ready to use. As part of our processes the following checks are carried out on items:
- Library staff will check if items are complete, working and free of any visual damage with users every time an item is returned.
- Visual check by Library staff and the user before and after each loan.
- If any item shows damage, or is reported as having a problem, it will be removed from the catalog immediately until it has been checked by an expert.
- Electrical items will receive a PAT test every 6 months, with items that combine water and electricity (such as a pressure washer or carpet cleaning machine) being PAT tested between each loan.
- Specialist items will be inspected by a qualified person annually.
It is important that you do not use items that show any signs of damage, and that you report this damage to us as soon as possible.
Returning Items
20. How do I return an item?
All items must be returned to the location where they were collected during opening hours, and within the loan period. You should receive an email reminding you that it is time to return the item.
We kindly ask that you do your best to return items to Petha in a timely manner. It is possible that someone else has requested the item after you so to be fair to them, please try to be prompt.
21. What if I'm late?
Firstly, please don't be afraid to bring the item back if it's late. Bringing items back is the important thing, and we won't be angry.
But if your loan runs into a new week, a fee for a new loan will be charged. If this causes you a problem, please speak to the Library staff;we don't want to stop anyone from returning items because of cost concerns, we'd much rather have the items back!
22. The item has been broken while in my possession. What do I do?
First, don't worry. We ask you to be as careful as possible with the items, but we are also aware that these things can happen.
It will be beneficial for us to know what has happened so that we can repair the item, so please don't be afraid to talk to us.
As we want Petha to be as accessible as possible to everyone, we do not charge a fee for an item that is damaged at the moment. It is possible that this situation will have to change in the future. We will notify you of any changes in these conditions through social media @pethagwynedd, through a message to all members, or through our newsletter, subscribe here {mailchimp link required].
Donating Items
23. Do you accept donations for Petha?
Yes! This is the start of the Petha journey and we hope to build a catalog that includes all kinds of items that have been donated by residents. We are willing to accept any items that may be beneficial to others, be it tools, camping equipment, items to host a party, craft items, toys etc.
The only thing we ask is that the items are in good condition and suitable for use.
To donate an item, bring it to your local Petha library (Bethesda, Blaenau Ffestiniog or Penygroes) during opening hours. Library staff will ask you to fill in a quick form, and the item will be accepted. We will then check the items, and test them to make sure they are safe, before making them available for others in your community to use.
Why not save space in your home by donating items you only use occasionally to be used by your neighbours?!
24. Will you charge a fee for items that have been donated?
There are a number of costs to running a library of things. Insurance costs, catalogue, maintenance of items, staffing etc. Due to these costs, it is likely that a fee will be charged for a large proportion of items in the catalogue, whether donated or purchased, as this is necessary to continue the service.
But we try to ensure that the fees are as low as possible, so that Petha is accessible to everyone. We are also looking into accepting payments by volunteering time, or by accepting referrals from other organisations. We will update you of changes like this through our social feeds @pethagwynedd, or through our newsletter. [link to mailchimp]