Idea Lab Equipment Policy

Policy

The Auglaize County Libraries provides resources to serve the informational, educational, and recreational needs of the public. To ensure these principles are accessible to the community, ACPDLS features an Idea Lab, which is a public makerspace or workshop dedicated to hands-on learning and creating for multiple ages. Makerspaces offer a variety of cutting-edge and traditional equipment and tools, as well as classes and programs for guided exploration. Patrons wishing to use the Idea Lab, or any equipment contained within it, must read and sign this policy before they may use it. The Library reserves the right to deny Idea Lab access if a patron violates any part of the Idea Lab policy, or for any other misuse of the space, as determined by Library staff.

Guidelines:

  • Patrons wishing to use the Idea Lab must read and sign the Library’s Idea Lab liability waiver and this policy.
  • Patrons must follow all safety guidelines and exercise caution with all Idea Lab equipment and materials.
  • If the Idea Lab or its equipment is found to be damaged or missing when a patron is finished using it, that patron may be subject to a fee.
  • Be respectful of other patrons, and do not disrupt someone’s work. Be sure to clean your work area and power off any equipment used, before leaving.
  • Patrons will not modify the Idea Lab equipment’s hardware or software, including the Idea Lab laptops.
  • Minors: Patrons of the ages 16 and 17 may use the Idea Lab equipment with the supervision of an adult or staff member at all times. Patrons under 16 must be accompanied by an adult (not a staff member) in the Idea Lab at all times. 
  • It is not recommended for children under 10 to be in the Idea Lab without an additional adult not operating equipment to supervise.
  • The Library is not responsible for any injuries caused by improper use of equipment.
  • The Library is not responsible for any damage to a patron’s materials or files, or for any manufacturing defects.
  • No food or drinks are allowed in the Idea Lab.
  • When reserving the Idea Lab or its equipment, scheduled Library programs have priority, followed by patrons who have made a reservation ahead of time. If the Idea Lab room or its equipment is available, reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Usage:

  • The Library’s Idea Lab may be used only for lawful purposes. The public is prohibited from using the Idea Lab equipment to create material that is:
    • Prohibited by local, state, or federal law.
    • Unsafe, harmful, dangerous or poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others (such use may violate the terms of use of the manufacturer).
    • Obscene, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate for the Library environment.
    • In violation of another’s intellectual property rights. For example, the equipment may not be used to reproduce material that is subject to copyright, patent, or trademark protection.

Procedure:

  • Patrons should familiarize themselves with the Self-Guided Training guides online and/or a staff-run training session per machine. Staff will also be on hand for assistance as able.
  • In order to ensure equal access for all, patrons may reserve and use up to one piece of equipment at a time. The maximum booking time for 3D printers is 6 hours. The maximum booking time for any other equipment, per day, is 3 hours.
  • Bookings per week may be limited due to equipment availability, and will be determined by staff as needed.
  • Patrons may bring their own materials to use with Idea Lab equipment if they wish. When doing so, patrons must check with a staff member to ensure their materials are on the approved materials list for that specific piece of equipment.
  • Idea Lab tools and devices are free to use. Materials may be available to purchase at-cost.
  • Library staff will be happy to assist users of the Idea Lab as time permits. The Library staff has limited availability to provide this assistance on demand.
  • Library staff may limit Idea Lab usage at any time for any reason at their discretion. 
  • Idea Lab Equipment may not be left unattended while it is in use, with exception of the 3D printers; the registered patron must stay with it while in use.
  • The Idea Lab will be closed and locked 30 minutes before the Library closes. Please make sure your work is completed, all equipment is turned off and your work area is cleaned before this time.
  • Any work saved on Library computers will be deleted once the computer is turned off and cannot be recovered.
  • If Idea Lab tools or equipment break, stop working correctly, or if any accidents occur while using the Idea Lab, let Library staff know immediately.
     

 

Waiver

To use Idea Lab facilities and equipment, visitors must review the Idea Lab Use Agreement and Waiver and Release of Liability (the “Agreement”), provide the information requested below, and sign and comply with the Agreement.

Adult and Minor Users are individually and collectively referred to as “User” throughout the Agreement.

Warning of Risk

Despite careful and proper preparation of programs and facilities, and instruction, there is still a risk of injury when using Idea Lab facilities and equipment at the Auglaize County Public District Library (ACPDLS). Understandably, not all hazards and dangers can be foreseen. Users who participate in Idea Lab Activities (defined below) must understand that depending upon the activity, certain risks, dangers, and injuries due to slip and falls, inadequate or defective equipment, failure in supervision or instruction, premises defects, horseplay, carelessness, lack of skill or technique, and all other circumstances inherent to the Idea Lab Activities and/or programs exist. In this regard, it must be recognized that it is impossible for the ACPDLS to guarantee absolute safety. Please read this agreement carefully and be aware that you will be expressly assuming the risk and legal liability and waiving and releasing all claims for injuries, damages, or loss you or your child/ward might sustain as a result of attending and/or participating in any and all Idea Lab activities and/or using the Idea Lab facilities and equipment.

Conditions of Use

By signing below, the User or Responsible Party affirms and agrees that: (1) they are not aware of any health or fitness restrictions that preclude the User’s participation in Idea Lab Activities and the User is capable of participating in the Idea Lab Activities (as defined below); (2) User shall comply with all ACPDLS policies and procedures, including all Idea Lab policies, guidelines, and instructions; (3) User or Responsible Party shall be responsible to pay any ACPDLS charges or fees for use of Idea Lab tools, equipment, and materials and for damage, loss, or clean-up of ACPDLS property, which may be valued and billed to User’s or Responsible Party’s ACPDLS account or by other means, in ACPDLS’s discretion; and (4) all insurance of the User or Responsible Party applicable to any injuries or claims arising out of the Idea Lab Activities (defined below) shall be primary with any applicable ACPDLS insurance being secondary.

Idea Lab Activities; Assumption of Risk

ACPDLS’s Idea Lab facilities and equipment include, but are not limited to, 3-dimensional printing machines, computer equipment, plastic materials, finishing tools and equipment, and other 3D working related items. While most tools, equipment and supplies will be provided by ACPDLS, on occasion some items will be supplied by Users. Users may work alone or share Idea Lab work space, tools, and equipment with other Users and/or ACPDLS staff. ACPDLS may require Users to wear specified safety gear, and undergo training, but safety gear and training may not always be available. Surfaces of floors, work benches, and tables in Idea Lab areas may have debris, dust, liquids, and sharp objects. While ACPDLS will strive to supervise Idea Lab areas, not all activities of User or other Users can be supervised at all times. All above-referenced and other use of Idea Lab work areas, facilities, tools, and equipment, whether alone or with others, whether supervised or not, and whether performed according to ACPDLS policies, procedures, and safety rules, or not, shall be referred to as “Idea Lab Activities.”

The undersigned User and/or Responsible Party acknowledges, understands and agrees that the Idea Lab Activities involve various hazards, dangers, and risks, including without limitation, and by way of example, the risk of trips, slips, and falls; cuts, broken bones, burns, and other wounds to hands, head, feet, eyes, and other body parts; electrical shock; exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, noise, and vibrations; and accidents due to negligence of other users or ACPDLS staff or vendors, or due to defective or inadequate facilities, equipment, tools, machinery, or due to inadequate maintenance or repair, training, instructions, supervision, first aid and medical treatment or safety gear.

The risks also include other risks arising from User’s involvement in the Idea Lab Activities, including unpredictable risks and risks inherent in the use of the work areas, facilities, tools, and equipment used in Idea Lab Activities. Each User and/or Responsible Party agrees that such User’s participation in Idea Lab Activities involves risks of accidents and serious personal injury and illness, paralysis, permanent disability, and even possibly death, of the User. All above-referenced risks and other risks arising from the Idea Lab Activities are referred to herein as the “Risks.”

The undersigned User and/or Responsible Party expressly acknowledges, accepts and assumes, for such User, and for such User’s heirs, family and estate, executors, administrators, assigns, and personal representatives, all Risks associated with the use of the Idea Lab facilities and equipment and all Risks arising from the User’s participation in Idea Lab Activities, whether those Risks are known or unknown, or are predictable or unpredictable, or are Risks inherent in the Idea Lab Activities.

Waiver and Release

I and/or my minor child/ward agree to waive, release and discharge from all liability the Auglaize County Public District Library, its appointed and elected officials, president and trustees, officers, agents, employees and volunteers (collectively the “Library Affiliates”), from any and all claims, rights, damages, causes of action and demands of whatsoever kind or nature, whether known or unknown, which I and/or my minor child/ward may have or claim to have against the Library Affiliates or any of them, arising out of, connected with, or in any way associated with my own and/or my minor child/ward’s voluntary participation in Idea Lab Activities.

Indemnify and Defense, Waiver and Release of all Claims and Assumption of Risk

I acknowledge that there are certain risks of physical injury to ACPDLS attendees in their participation in Idea Lab Activities, and I agree to assume full risk of any and all injuries, damages or loss, that I and/or my minor child/ward may sustain as a result of said attendance and/or participation in Idea Lab Activities. I further agree to waive and relinquish all claims I and/or my minor child/ward may have (or accrue to me/us) because of my/our participation in Idea Lab Activities against the Library Affiliates, and each of them. I hereby release, waive, and covenant not to sue, and further agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Library Affiliates and each of them with respect to any liability, claim, demand, cause of action, damage, loss or expense (including court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees) of any kind or nature which may arise out of, result from, or relate in any way to my participating in Idea Lab Activities, including claims for liability caused in whole or in part by the negligent acts or omissions of the released parties or others.

I further agree that if, despite this Agreement, I, or anyone on my or my minor child/ward’s behalf, makes a claim for liability against any of the released parties, I will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless each of the released parties from any such liabilities which may be incurred as the result of such claim. I have read and fully understand the above important information, warning of risk, notice, assumption of risk and waiver and release of all claims. I further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Library Affiliates and each of them, from any and all claims, rights, demands and/or causes of action of whatsoever kind or nature, whether known or unknown, which I and/or my minor child/ward may have or claim to have, arising out of, connected with, or in any way associated with my own and/or my minor child/ward’s participation in Idea Lab Activities and any activities related to or associated with said Idea Lab Activities.

Claims Against Me and/or My Minor Child/Ward

I agree that any claim or suit that is pursued against me and/or my minor child/ward as a result of my own and/or my minor child/ward’s participation in Idea Lab Activities specified herein, including but not limited to, claims of property damage, personal injury, and intentional tort, are my sole responsibility.

Miscellaneous

The User and/or Responsible Party agrees that ACPDLS provides no warranties of merchantability or fitness for particular purpose or use concerning any project or items made using library equipment, tools, or materials. If any provision of this document is determined to be invalid for any reason, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of any other provisions, which other provisions shall remain in full force and effect as if this Agreement had been executed with the invalid provision eliminated. By signing below the undersigned person agrees that this document is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted under applicable law. This document is governed by Illinois law, and any claims brought concerning it must be commenced in the state courts of Auglaize County, OH. This document shall not be amended except by a written document signed by the User and/or Responsible Party and the Director of ACPDLS.

Direction/Conduct

I and/or my minor child/ward agree to: (1) follow any and all guidance, decisions and directions from the ACPDLS official(s), employee(s) and officer(s) with whom I and/or my minor child/ward are interacting with as part of Idea Lab Activities, including without limitation any direction to remain at or to leave any location, to cease any activity, or any other direction given to me by said official(s), employee(s) or officer(s). I understand and agree that the ACPDLS official(s), employee(s) and officer(s) have complete authority to terminate me and/or my minor child/ward from Idea Lab Activities at any time and for any reason and that I and/or my minor child/ward have no expectation of continued participation in Idea Lab Activities.

Admissibility, Severability and Binding Effect

I agree that this Agreement shall be admissible in evidence in any proceeding or litigation in which the terms of this Agreement are sought to be enforced. I agree that the indemnity, waiver, release of all claims and assumption of risk provisions of this Agreement are intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of Illinois, and that if any provision hereof is held invalid, I agree that the balance thereof will, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. I agree that this Agreement, including but not limited to the indemnity, waiver, release of all claims and assumption of risk provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon my and/or my child/ward’s heirs, legatees, transferees, assigns, personal representatives, owners, insurers, agents, servants, employees, administrators, executors, representatives and/or successors in interest of any kind whatsoever.

Consent to Medical Treatment

If User is injured or becomes ill while involved in Idea Lab Activities, reasonable efforts will be made to contact User’s parent/guardian or emergency contact. In the event no contact can be made, the User and/or Responsible Party hereby authorizes ACPDLS and its employees, volunteers, agents, and representatives to obtain and consent to, on the User’s behalf, medical care, including without limitation, medical treatment, hospitalization, ambulance transportation, anesthesia, and X-ray and other exams and tests. The undersigned User and/or Responsible Party agrees to pay all costs of such medical care and transportation.