That's my entire point though. The powers that be dont view libraries or even common areas as beneficial or even useful as they don't line someone's pockets. I'd say you'd have a solid majority of people off the street would very much like to see their local libraries funded, as would I, yet more often than not they're the first on the chopping block when fund cuts make their rounds.

@Seimhe
@bobs_monkey

It's a very common view in the US, unfortunately.

From a socioeconomic point, if it gets enough uses by enough people it's worth it. So the math then is what side of the threshold you'll land on

At least the way the auto parts store does it, you get charged the full price of a tool if you fail to return it.

(Source: I accidentally bought a vacuum pump.)

The deposit could be greater or equal to the items value to encourage returning it.