I can only imagine the main reason some of the guys here try to rib me about Berkeley stems from their jealousy at not having a tool lending library in their hometown. If this is socialism, I like socialism. It doesn't hurt that it's about 5 blocks from my house. They have a huge selection -- portable table saws -- big Bosch demo hammers -- a cement mixer -- ladders -- wheelbarrows -- all manner of shovels -- drills -- where to stop?

Here's a complete list, with the fine schedule. You get the small items for 7 days, and the big, in demand, items for 3 days. Overdue fines range from $1 to $15.

Another link.

Not a big building, oh 15' by 40' maybe, right next to one of the neighborhood branch libraries:





Check this out: I happened to see the same bozo with his BMW "pickup" later at a lumber yard:



That's 3/4 treated ply -- one piece'll about break your back, the stuff is so wet.

A hard core free marketeer might say this is unfair to free enterprise rental yards, and I imagine they do lose some business to it. I've checked out the demo hammer plenty of times and I would have had to either rent or buy one otherwise. I only need it once or twice a year so it's hard to justify the $500 or so.

Still, private tool rental yards seem to do a brisk business here. The guys at the tool library counter are mostly former contractors with 'stove out' backs so they can be a wealth of good advice.

All in all, viva B - Town!

__________________
1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K