Lending Library

Discover Your Perfect Carrier

With more than 200 carriers in our lending library, you can explore different styles, brands, and fits before making a purchase. Whether you’re expecting your first baby, carrying twins, chasing a toddler, or simply curious about a new carrier, our library helps you find what works best for your family.

At our meetings, everyone can:

• See and try on carriers with guidance from volunteers
• Get hands-on babywearing support
• Compare different carrier styles side-by-side

• Learn what works best for their family’s needs

Members can also check out up to two carriers at a time to use at home.

Why Families Love the Lending Library

Families use our lending library because:

• They want to try before they buy
• They’re not sure which carrier style will work best
• Different caregivers need different fits
• Babies grow and their needs change
• They want to experiment without purchasing multiple carriers
• They’re curious about wraps, ring slings, or other carrier types
• They want expert guidance while they learn

Finding the right carrier can be a journey. Our lending library lets you explore options with support from experienced volunteers along the way.

How our Lending Library works

Babywearing Twin Cities hosts meetings throughout the Twin Cities each month. At these meetings, families can explore our lending library, try on a variety of carriers, and receive hands-on support from our volunteer educators. Members may also check out up to two carriers at a time to use at home.

Become a Member and Borrow Carriers

Everyone is welcome to explore and try carriers at meetings. Membership unlocks the ability to check out carriers to use at home, giving you time to determine what works best for your family before making a purchase. Members may check out up to two carriers at a time.

Need financial assistance? Scholarship memberships are available because we believe every family should have access to babywearing support and education.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How big is the lending library?

A: We have over 200 carriers in our lending library, which is split into three sub-libraries. At any given meeting, we have at least 50 carriers available for people to use and later check out. Our libraries are numbered 1, 2, and 3, and they travel to meetings based on volunteer attendance: https://bwtc.myturn.com/library/

Q: What kinds of carriers are in the lending library?

A: We have LOTS of carriers! We have an extensive collection of each of the four main carrier types (wraps, ring slings, meh dais/bei dais, and soft structured carriers) and many brands and styles to choose from. They are all listed on our lending library website, but you’ll need to come to a meeting to see them in person.

Q: How can I find out what carriers will be at the meeting I will attend?

A: Your best bet is to visit our lending library website and filter by the library traveling to that meeting. We can’t guarantee that a specific carrier will be available, but if you have a special request, feel free to contact us, and we’ll see what we can do.

Q: If I’m not a member, can I still try on carriers at a meeting?

A: Absolutely! If you aren’t a member, you can still come to any meeting, look at, touch, and try on any carrier in our lending library. We’ll even teach you how to use it! If you become a member, you can take the carrier home and test drive it for the month.

Q: How can I check out a carrier from the lending library?

A: Once you find a carrier you’d like, you can ask a volunteer to help you check it out. Checkouts usually happen towards the end of a meeting. First, they will ask if you are a member. If you have never been a member of BWTC, they will help you sign up and agree to the lending library agreement. Then, they’ll check out the carrier with its unique ID number using our library software.

Q: Can I reserve a carrier?

A: Specific carriers are never guaranteed to be in stock and cannot be reserved. We like to allow everyone to look at the carriers we have in our lending library. Check-outs are done on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Q: Can I check out the same carrier two months in a row?

A: We like to give everyone a chance to see every carrier, so we do not allow consecutive checkouts to the same person.

Q: Can I take the carrier on vacation?

A: Sure! Just make sure it doesn’t get lost or damaged, please. We love to see photos of our library carriers in action, too!

Q: Who can use the carrier I check out?

A: We will teach you how to use the carrier you check out — that’s our promise to you. Anyone can wear the carrier you check out, but you will be responsible for it while it is checked out to you.

Q: What happens if the carrier needs to be washed?

A: Per the lending library agreement, we ask that carriers be returned “check­out ready.” This means without stains or odors and free from germs. This goes for accessories as well, like suck pads. If you need to clean a carrier, please contact a volunteer via our public Facebook page, ask for help in our private Facebook group, contact us, or send an email to info@babywearingtwincities.org. Some carriers need specialized care when washing (like a wool wrap), so we can walk you through the steps, or we may ask you to return it to a volunteer for cleaning. The important thing is to contact us before cleaning any carrier.

Q: Do I have to return the carrier to the same meeting where I checked it out?

A: Nope! The carrier will be due at the same meeting the following month. You can return it at that meeting or at any meeting before that.

Q: What happens if I can’t return the carrier to the same meeting next month?

A: You can return it to any meeting before its due date. You can also return carriers to Blooma during normal business hours- just leave them with the front desk attendant at Blooma and they will hold them there for us. In special circumstances, you can return the carrier to a volunteer outside of a meeting. We have volunteers in St Paul, Bloomington and Burnsville that are able to accept returns for upon special request. To coordinate this, you may contact us.  

Q: What if my gerbil/alpaca/platypus/sharp-toothed-toddler eats part of the carrier? Or all of it?

A: That’d be a huge bummer.

If a carrier is damaged, we will inspect it and see what can be done to fix it. Sometimes a pull in a woven wrap is easily fixed with a careful eye and a wash. Other times, if the carrier is no longer safe or usable, we will invoice you for the carrier’s cost, and lending privileges may be revoked until the invoice is paid.

 

Q: How did Babywearing Twin Cities get so many carriers?

A: Our lending libraries are made up of donated carriers from personal donors and businesses. Donations made to Babywearing Twin Cities are considered a charitable contribution as we are a non-profit organization. We also buy carriers, using a portion of the dues paid to us and funds from fundraising. We look for discounted (on sale) carriers, reasonable prices on pre-owned carriers in great condition, and sometimes get special pricing from businesses. We always love to hear suggestions on carriers you would like to see in the library! If you’d to donate a carrier contact us.

A Community Resource

Our lending library exists because of the generosity of members, donors, volunteers, and babywearing businesses. Every carrier helps another family learn, explore, and carry with confidence.

Many families first discover Babywearing Twin Cities through the lending library, but stay for the support, friendships, and community they find at our meetings.

If you have any additional questions about our lending library, please don’t hesitate to contact us or ask us at an upcoming meeting!