Prices
Hire cost a flat rate of £10.00 for a month
A refundable deposit to cover replacement cost of the chosen carrier will also be required. This will be held by the Library for the duration of the hire and repaid to the customer upon safe return of the carrier.
A refundable deposit to cover replacement cost of the chosen carrier will also be required. This will be held by the Library for the duration of the hire and repaid to the customer upon safe return of the carrier.
Full Terms & Conditions
Vn 1.1, 10th October 2011.
We want all parents to get the chance to use and enjoy our carriers safely so for all loans we’ll ask that you read and agree to our Terms and Conditions. When you borrow a carrier we’ll also give you a printed copy to take away with you. We update our Terms and Conditions periodically, and so printed or PDF versions may not match those below. This web page contains the most current and complete version.
If you need any further explanation or help, please just ask by telephone, email (nwkslings@btinternet.com) or contact form on our website.
1. Loan Form
a) A Loan From must be completed for each carrier you borrow with your full name, address and contact details, loan charges, deposit values, return method and due date. A printed copy of these Terms and Conditions, including details of your hire will also be completed for you to keep.
b) Your personal details will be kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, and will only be used to contact you in relation to your library loan.
2. Loan Cost and Duration
a) Only one carrier may be borrowed at any time. Once a carrier is returned another loan may be made.
b) The standard loan period is 2 weeks. At our discretion you may arrange to borrow a carrier for a shorter or longer period, at a cost to be agreed between yourself and the Library.
c) Each carrier loan costs £5 for a hire period of up to 2 weeks.
3. Deposit
a) A fully refundable deposit is required for each loan. The deposit amount is dependent on the value of the carrier or accessory being borrowed and will be returned in full following the timely return of the carrier or accessory undamaged with all instructions and any additional accessories.
b) The replacement of any lost carriers, accessories or instructions will be paid for out of your deposit. Charges for items damaged beyond normal wear and tear will be judged on a case by case basis.
c) Deposits will be reduced or waived for members of the North West Kent Sling Library, depending upon length of membership.
d) At our discretion, deposits may be reduced or waived for active members of the Natural Mamas or BabyAndBump forums, depending on membership length, number of posts and forum feedback.
4. Payment Methods
a) Loan costs are payable by cash or PayPal.
b) Deposits may be given as cash, cheque or PayPal, and are refunded by the method given.
5. Late Returns
a) if you return your carrier late we will charge £1 per day late fees for every day past the agreed return date. These fees will be deducted from your deposit.
b) Under adverse or unforseen circumstances we may reduce or waive fines for late returns as long as the late period is less than 7 days and has been fully agreed by us before the end of the loan period.
c) If we do not hear from you within 30 days from the start of your loan, we will consider the carrier lost and keep your full deposit.
d) If you are unable to return your carrier by the agreed date due to Library staff illness or holidays, we will extend your loan period for free and agree a new return date with you.
6. Returning and Posting Carriers
a) Returns can be made during Library open hours (yet to be confirmed) or at an agreed time at Brompton Childrens Centre or one of the Library bases in Gravesend or Chatham. Alternatively we can arrange to meet at a mutually convenient location. If this is not possible the carrier may be returned by post at the Library's discretion.
b) The carrier is returned by post at your own cost and risk. You should use Recorded or Special Delivery and retain proof of postage. Please ensure you allow sufficient time for the carrier to arrive by its return due date.
c) Please ensure that the carrier, instructions and any accessories are packaged appropriately – we prefer that you ‘double-bag’ the carrier and write both addresses on both layers. Please remember that your deposit is at risk until the undamaged carrier is in our posession.
7. Condition of the Carrier
a) All carriers are checked before lending to ensure that they are in good condition and working order. The borrower may check the condition of the carrier prior to the start of the loan and must confirm on the loan form that it is in working order.
b) It is the borrowers responsibility to check over the carrier before every use. Check all buckles, hems and seams ensuring that there are no tears, breaks, cracks or holes. If any damage is discovered, please stop using the carrier immediately and contact us for advice.
8. Safe Use of Carriers
a) All carriers are provided with instructions for safe use. If, for any reason they are not supplied, it is the borrower’s responsibility to ask for a copy of the instructions. On occasion, we may only be able to provide you with an online link to manufacturer’s instructions; in this case, we will also give you printed instructions for a similar carrier. For convenience, links to web page or pdf copies of instructions for all of our carriers may be found on the website.
b) The borrower must read all safety, use and care instructions provided prior to using the carrier. Carriers must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
c) All carriers are extremely safe when used properly, however misuse can cause injury to yourself or child. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are using the carrier correctly and that your baby is safe at all times. The North West Kent Sling Library cannot be held responsible for any accident that results in injury or death whilst the carrier is in your care.
d) We suggest that after familiarising yourself with the instructions given you then practice using the carrier with a doll/teddy or cushion/pillow so that you get used to the tying/fastening/adjusting methods.
e) Always ensure that you seat your child correctly in the carrier and check any knots regularly as children do not stay still and straps and wrap passes can move or become loosened.
f) If you feel any pain while carrying your child, change the carrying position or remove the carrier.
g) If you are unsure about anything you read in the instructions, are not sure what you’re doing or are at all concerned, please ask us. We can point you in the direction of lots of helpful sites to give you tips to make sure you’re getting the best out of the carrier and using it safely.
9. Care of Carriers
a) Under no circumstances is it permitted to smoke whilst wearing or holding the carrier. Please inform us if you are a smoker, or if there is a smoker in your home as we will need to carefully launder the carrier after it is returned. Smoking is known to increase the risk of cot death for babies, and these risks have also been linked to babies being in close contact with clothing or objects contaminated with smoke particles.
b) We cannot guarantee that there are no marks or hairs on the carriers we lend. Carriers are spot-cleaned and only laundered if necessary as freshly washed carriers will not be as soft or flexible as those that are not. If you would prefer to use a freshly laundered carrier please request this before you borrow.
c) Please therefore avoid washing the carrier, though do spot clean any marks when they occur using washing up liquid and water. If you feel it is necessary that the carrier is cleaned while on loan to you, please contact us first for advice.
d) We cannot guarantee that there are no animal hairs on our carriers, but we ask that all carriers are kept away from pets to mimimise this possibility. If you are very allergic to animal hairs, please request that the carrier be laundered before you borrow it to help reduce any potential reaction.
e) Food and posset marks are expected when carrying children, but please keep the sling away from anything that may stain more permanently (oil, paint, pens, etc.), or anything that might damage it (scissors, velcro, keys in your bag, fire, moving parts such as buggy wheels etc.). The cost of damage beyond normal wear and tear may be removed from your deposit.
10. All slings, carriers, instructions and accessories remain the property of Georgie, Nicola or the North West Kent Sling Library at all times, and all loans are subject to availability and our discretion. Georgie and Nicola have put some of their personal collection into the Library Catalogue; these slings may be removed when replacements have been found.
With many thanks to Emily at the South London Sling Library for compiling these terms and conditions.
