Oxfordshire Sling Library was launched in May 2008 with help from many generous donors. We have a great range of different types of slings from different manufacturers that you can try out. Many thanks to everyone who has donated so far – we have a slide show of some of our library slings in action here.
You can find details of what is available to hire here. All our library slings meet the Trageschule’s criteria for what makes a good sling:
- sling fabric moulds around baby’s back for support
- sling shape supports baby in a spread squat position for optimal hip and back development
- sling is comfortable for the wearer
How do I hire a sling?
Oxfordshire Sling Library is open from 10.00 to 12.00 am at the monthly social sling meet. Pick out the sling you would like to hire and take it to the hiring table. You will be asked to fill in a borrowing form with your name and contact details, and given the sling instructions and some general safety information.
Current hire charges are £4 per item for a month’s hire.
We also require a deposit in the form of a cheque for £50 payable to Oxford Sling Meet. This cheque will not be banked and will be returned to you at the end of the hire period. Deposit amounts are based on the cost of replacing the sling in the event of loss or damage. Should any carrier be lost or damaged beyond normal wear and tear the deposit cheque will be banked to pay for a replacement.
Membership
You can become a member of Oxford Sling Meet for £5 a year (£2 concessionary rate). Members are able to reserve library slings and do not need to pay deposits.
How many slings can I borrow?
You can usually borrow two slings at any one time if they are different types (e.g. a ring sling and a wrap), possibly more depending on how busy we are and what type of sling you want to borrow. It does depend however on how many people are there on the day and what type of slings most people are looking for.
Can I borrow a sling for more than 1 month?
This is usually fine particularly for women who are due to give birth around the time of the next sling meet. You can either pay for two months upfront, or pay for one month and then renew the loan by email for another month and pay the extra £4 when you return the sling. We make an exception for the buckle carriers which are very popular so we ask for these back after one month. We ask for all slings to be returned after two months.
Can I reserve a sling?
Members of Oxford Sling Meet can reserve any sling in the library and collect it at the next sling meet. Please ask the librarian to check availability and put your name on the list. There is a £2 charge for reserving a sling, in addition to the hire fee. You can contact the librarian in person at the sling meet or by emailing osm_admin@groups.yahoo.com.
Donations
If you are a vendor or manufacturer who would like to donate a sling to our library, then we would love to hear from you! You can email the Oxford Sling Meet committee at osm_admin@yahoogroups.com
