Hello! My name is Erica and I lead an org in Lansing that supports people working to overcome homelessness. I’m trying to get a few of our folks in for checkouts, so we can get them memberships. Is there a list of upcoming checkouts in here somewhere?? Thanks!!
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Erica, I’m Tony, the woodshop area manager. I usually do checkouts on Thursday evenings from about 5:30 until closing or there are no other people. Other area managers usually have different checkout schedules or procedures. If you are interested in doing these in a specific area (jewelry, the forge, 3D printing, eg) please tell us so we can better help you.
Please let your folks know that they will need to stop at the front desk and check in first, and fill out a waiver.
Tony
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Hi Erica,
Thanks for your efforts to help others. Membership occurs prior to checkouts. If checkouts aren’t available in a timely manner the first months membership may be extended. If paying for membership is an issue, we may be able to offer volunteer opportunities to help reduce the costs.
CADL has some memberships,that might be helpful.
Search Results | Capital Area District Libraries
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Hello! I have been told by 2 staff or volunteers now that checkouts occur BEFORE memberships. Is there someone from your executive team that might be able to meet with me and hash out the details?
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that’s beautiful, thanks for sharing this resource!
I am part of the leadership team. Apparently, I have been informed that checkouts have been offered prior to membership. If that is what you have been told, then this understanding you have is what will be honored.
Welcome! Besides the woodshop, do you have any specific tools you’d like to learn?
Charlie ~ I thought new membership orientation took place before checkouts as well.
@cafwood @Heather I thought we did offer checkouts for non-members (even though they can’t come in and use the tool until they become members).
If that’s not true, I’ve been giving a lot of people bad information.
(flagging for @Lex @bennyvasquez @Lysne_Tait , since whichever is correct this seems to be a big point of confusion)
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You are correct. You have not given anyone bad info.
I agree; it is confusing. Back at the old space, my minor nephew & friend came in w/ me to have a checkout for the original laser printer. We were told the checkout only counted for me, since I am a member. Once my friend became a member, she had to take the checkout for herself…I joined her to go through it again.
Expanding on my above message w/ my nephew & friend: They were able to just watch while I had the checkout & not participate.
I’m also thinking that we are only able to gives badges to our members, within our computer system. If someone isn’t or hasn’t ever been a member, how can we give them a badge for the checkout to keep track? I’m not saying we can’t or shouldn’t…just that I don’t think that has been established. Since, I don’t work or haven’t been trained on front desk duties, I could be incorrect & that has since changed & is all worked out. Either way, we all need to know so we’re giving the same information.
Hey Tony, I’m planning to bring 2 folks Thursday, September 4, if you’ll be there! We’ll be there by 5:30 pm, hope to see you then.
I know one of my folks want to learn about metal working and blacksmithing!!
I’m out of town now thru sunday, and will be gone next week thursday thru sunday as well. Does sunday, monday, or tuesday sept 7-9 work?
Also, i do checkouts in the wood shop only. For metal work or blacksmithing, you will need o talk to @AdamT or @Heather .
I won’t be in today, Erica. The volunteer on schedule should be able to show you & your friend around the Metalsmithing area & the blacksmithing area. You or your friend can make a separate post to schedule checkouts in either area. For Jewelry/Metalsmithing, myself or another volunteer, who can do checkouts in this area, will get back to you & your friend to coordinate a day & time. 
Thank you Tony!! One of my teammates, Colin, may be in touch to set that up.
Thank you very much!