Terms and conditions of hire
About Oxford Sling Library
Oxford Sling Library is run as a not-for-profit social enterprise by local sling and babywearing consultant Lucy Hawkins. Insurance for sling library hires and sling consultancy is provided by BGI UK. Oxford Sling Library is a member of the Association of Carrying Educators and Sling Libraries.
Hire limits
Up to three items may be hired at any one time.
Hire fees and renewals
Payment for hires is taken when they are ‘checked out’ to you at the start of the hire period you reserve. You can edit your reserved hire period until the day it begins. Payment is taken using the payment card on your account via Stripe (a secure online payment processing service).
After you receive email confirmation of ‘check out’, your items will be available to collect from our secure drop-box on Botley Road. Address and instructions are provided in your confirmation email.
Any hire and membership fees are non-refundable (even if you return or renew your item early).
Safe use of your items
All our items are extremely safe when used properly, however misuse can cause injury to yourself or your child. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are using your hired items correctly and that your child is safe at all times. Oxford Sling Library accepts no liability for any accident while the hired items are in your care, or when using any hired item to carry your child.
In hiring from Oxford Sling Library, you agree to read our information page on babywearing safety and use either the HANDS, TICKS or ABC guide to check the safety of your carry.
Please note, that our items are not to be used for any activity or exercise other than walking (other forms of exercise with your child in a sling may not be safe and are not covered by manufacturer testing and warranties). No item we hire is a substitute for a proper safety seat, and should never be worn in the car or on a bike.
Caring for your items on hire
Please look after your items carefully so that they can be available to other users in the future:
- Make a note of any detachable parts and ensure they are returned with the item (if any remain missing after reasonable attempts to contact the hirer, the hire is billed for a replacement).
- Avoid using your items in smoky environments.
- Try to spot clean items as required using a soft cloth and warm soapy water. Spot cleaning prolongs the life of the items on hire.
- Wash your items as necessary. Follow the washing instruction labels and only use unscented non-biological detergent without optical brighteners (e.g. Ecover or Persil Non-Bio or similar). Do not use fabric conditioner or tumble dry. Before washing, do up all clips and/or Velcro securely. Tie thick sports socks or similar around any metal components (e.g. the rings on ring slings). Air dry after washing (e.g. on an airer, washing line or over the back of a chair).
Returning your items
You need to return your items on or before the last date of your hire period (unless the hire is renewed) to our secure drop-box on Botley Road. Address and instructions are provided in your confirmation email.
A sling/carrier/item is not considered returned until you receive an email confirmation that it has been checked back in to the Library.
Returning by post
Please ensure that slings are packaged protectively when they are returned, particularly if they are posted.
If you are posting an item back to us, please use a tracked postal service (e.g. Royal Mail Signed For or Special Delivery) which includes compensation for loss or damage to the level of your slings' replacement costs. Keep the tracking number and proof of postage.
If the item is lost in the post and you send us the tracking number and a picture of the proof of postage you will not be charged for any replacement as we can pursue compensation with Royal Mail. Otherwise, we will unfortunately have to charge you for a replacement.
Reminders and overdue items
You’ll receive an email reminder that your sling is due back two days before the end of your hire period.
Overdue fines are 50p per day and will accrue until your items are returned or renewed.
31 days after the item was due back we deem the item lost or stolen and the hirer is billed for a replacement at the current recommended retail price. We’ll try our best to contact you before this, of course! Overdue fines you have accrued are considered as part-payment, and the remainder of the replacement cost is taken using the payment card you have on file.
Oxford Sling Library reserves the right to refuse service to any user who has inconvenienced other users with very late returns or where the item has not been returned at all.
Lost items
If you lose your item, contact us as soon as you can, so that we can prevent other users reserving it after your hire period.
We will usually encourage you to take some extra time to hunt for it (renewing your hire if needed), but if the item is absolutely lost, we will need to bill you for a replacement at the recommended retail price (charging this to the payment card you have on file).
Damaged items
All items are checked thoroughly and hired undamaged. However, always check any babywearing equipment before each use.
If you notice any damage, do not fix or repair your items: just contact us to discuss. Our insurance excludes mending that isn’t done by the manufacturer as it can alter the safety of the item.
If the damage could be considered ‘reasonable wear and tear’ of the item that accrues gradually over time (e.g. colour fading on fabric), then we would not expect you to pay for a replacement.
If the damage is not ‘reasonable wear and tear’ (e.g. a section of a wrap cut accidentally cut with scissors!) then we will need to bill you for a replacement at the recommended retail price (charging this to the payment card you have on file).
