As the photographer notes, "a skullless situation at Norlin" library on the campus of the University of Colorado, Sept. 2013.

Some cities have created specialized recreation equipment loan facilities.

Hay River Northwest Territories, Sports Equipment Lending Library

To promote active living, various pieces of sports and fitness equipment are available to community members to utilize at no cost. They need only sign the lending form at the front desk of the Recreation Centre, and return the equipment when their session is finished. Equipment available includes:

Soccer balls
Baseball gloves
Baseball Bats and Balls
Flag Football Equipment
Basketballs
Frisbees
Ball Hockey Sticks and Balls
Pinnies and Goalie Equipment
Lacrosse Sticks
Tennis Racquets and Balls
Nordic Walking Poles
Snowshoes
Aerobic Steps
Stability Balls
Body Bars

link

The PLAY Library is open!

The PLAY Library was created by CS4L Kingston to promote Physical Literacy and help Kingston families be physically active at home. There are 68 take-home kits promoting Physical Literacy and lifelong physical activity. These kits are publicly available to borrow at no cost.

link

Sign-Out Procedure

Individuals must show photo ID and provide their name, phone #, email, address.
Each PLAY Library location determines the length of time that a kit can be borrowed.
You will be given a take-home bag with resources you can keep. Individuals should be asked to return the completed questionnaire when returning the kit. link

An example of some of the materials provided through the Physical Literacy program being offered to Kingston East residents through the KMFRC.

It’s a different twist on literacy; instead of “See spot run. Run, Spot run,” children are being encouraged to do just that — run, skip, hop or just move — through a new “physical literacy” project called PLAY Library.

“Just as children learn language skills through reading and writing, they also need to learn movement skills through playing and trying new things. This is physical literacy,” explained Denita Arthurs, Assistant Supervisor, Recreation Program (Community Development).
The two main purposes of the PLAY library, according to Arthurs, are to promote physical literacy and to help Kingston families be active at home.
“With research showing that obesity is rising and life expectancy is decreasing, a new dialogue around the provision of physical activity programming, education and opportunities is needed,” she said.
“The City of Kingston’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations by providing progressive, professional service and leadership that reflects the needs of all.”

The PLAY Library is free to all users, which was made possible through a two-year grant from the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund. link

South Dundas Sports Lending Library, Ontario Canada

http://www.cs4lkingston.com/play-library

The South Dundas Sports Lending Library has various types of equipment available for use. Equipment includes:
 Snowshoes of all sizes
 1 Tandem Kayak
 4 Solo Kayaks
 2 Canoes
 Cross Country Skis (Various Adult Sizes)
 Skates (Various Sizes) & Youth Helmets
 Badminton Sets
 Bocce Ball Sets
 Volleyballs, Footballs & Basketballs

In order to borrow equipment from the Library, the borrower must be a resident of South Dundas. A borrower must provide proper I.D. and fill out a membership form. Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present to fill out the necessary information. Once the forms have been filled out, a borrower is welcome to use any equipment for up to 3 days.

Thrive Youth Resources Center Equipment Lending Library Ontario Canada

Thrive has a large equipment lending library with a variety of sporting equipment available to be borrowed by youth, families or service providers. If you are interested in borrowing any of our equipment please call us today.
The Library includes;

Baseball
Hockey
Basketball
Soccer
Badminton
Tchoukball
Bocceball
Broomball
Tetherball
Kinball
Pennies & Jerseys
Pylons
Whistles
Yoga Mats
Skateboards
& More
link

Sports Equipment Library Cook Shire, Australia

A wide variety of Sporting, Fitness and Fun Play Equipment is available for loan from the Cooktown PCYC Events Centre.
Browse the catalogue link below and fill in the hire form.
Equipment may be borrowed for periods of up to 1 week. Please provide identification showing residency of Cook Shire. Borrowers must be over 18yrs.

Sports Equipment Library Catalgoue

Cooktown PCYC Events Centre, Cook Shire, Australia

Ehrlo Sport Venture Library

Sport Venture Library provides equipment free-of-charge to groups working with inner-city youth. Over 100 groups currently access the equipment from the library. Equipment is collected from community and private donations and either lent out through the library program or recycled to individuals and group that demonstrate the need. If you are interested in volunteering please read our about of volunteer opportunities.

Community lending library

Gympie Regional Council was one of 12 regions given funding through the Department of Communities, Sport and Recreation Services to trial a sports lending library.
The community resource lending library is available for community organisations to access sports and event equipment, games and learning resources for a period of up to four weeks at a time at no cost.
If your community organisation would like further information or would like to book items from the Community resource lending library, please phone (07) 5481 0760 or visit us at 24 Mellor Street, Gympie. link

St. Mary's Rec. Dept Nova Scotia

The St. Mary's Rec. Dept. has a variety of recreational equipment available for your use at little to no cost. With winter right around the corner, why not try out our snowshoes?! For more information please contact the Department at 522-2598 or stop by the municipal building for an equipment loan out sheet! link

Funding Recreation Equipment Libraries Staff and Equipment

-Have library systems directly fund this effort as part of their effort to imagine libraries for the 21st century
-Have NYPL, BPL and QPL and/or NYC parks dept set up mechanisms so that city council members can easily fund Recreation Equipment Libraries in their districts through discretionary funding either at local libraries, recreation centers or through other venues.
-Participatory Budgeting Initiatives cannot pay for staff of recreation equipment libraries, it can however pay for parkhouses and equipment that has a lifespan over 5 years.

also see
Obesity Crisis
Virtual Reality Parkhouses
WiFi in Parks
Read Fi in Parks ( Outdoor Reading Rooms )
Parks that are NOT boring
Make NYC Your Gym-NY Dept of Health
Swappable Parks

(draft from this point on)

Rutgers University Equipment Loan Program

Our motto "If We Own It, We Loan It" says it all. The Equipment Loan Program provides the University Community with the opportunity to experience a new sport without making a financial investment in equipment. Equipment Loan items include: basketballs, racquetball, racquets, weight belts, tennis racquets, and a variety of popular sports equipment. New equipment is added each semester to ensure a high quality experience.
To Borrow
Equipment may be borrowed with a valid University I.D. Equipment is loaned for the day and must be returned before the facility closing.
link

Adventist University of Health Sciences Library Sports Equipment & Outdoor Games
It's summertime! Need a football, frisbee, or soccer ball to use outside? The library has it. We also have Bocce Ball, croquet, and a few other fun outdoor games. Come check them out.

link

Northwest College Recreational Equipment CO-OP, Wyoming

Indoor

Basketballs
Volleyballs
Racquetball:
- Racquets/Balls/Goggles
Walleyball sets

Outdoor

Rollerblades
Town bikes
Footballs
Soccer Balls
Golf Clubs
Horseshoes
Tennis Racquets/Balls

Equipment Available
The Recreation Equipment CO-OP located in Cabre Gym is home to both outdoor and P.E./recreational equipment available to all students, faculty and staff. Select from the two catagories below to view our list of currently available equipment: