A Bike Library?

Who would have guessed that the university in our city has a bike lending library?  Having difficulty finding the place, I asked 10 people for directions and not one of them had ever heard of the place.  I eventually found it in a plain looking building connected to what is called the "Dentistry Pharm" building.  A place that I thought involved dentistry on livestock.

Near here

It was surprising to enter the bike library.  Much more spacious that I had thought and lo and behold! it looked like a bike repair shop.  Repair stands scattered about, wrenches and assorted bike tools hanging from hooks above work benches.  And of course dozens of bikes ready to be rented.

Bike Library

Nathan, a university student, runs the library.  You could call him the librarian.  No bow tie on this guy.  A natty tweed cap covers his dark curls.  Wearing pedals pushers, he looks like a modern, educated, bike rider.  The rest of his clothing is hidden beneath a grimy apron and his hands are stained with grease.  Your basic bike mechanic turned librarian.

The librarian himself

The bikes themselves have been donated and all of them are sprayed a forest green colour and are available only to students, staff and visiting dignitaries.  Each bike comes with a bell, two lights and a U-lock.  Nathan throws in a bicycle map of the city as well.  A very good deal at ten dollars a week!  Renters use their university "One Card" which means that you don't even need a separate library card to get mobile at our institution of higher learning.