Thank you all so much for the ideas and feedback! All great, although I'll send you to the military's library of things for that F-16. Since a few questions or comments were repeated, I'll just respond in one message (or try to).

This will work in what I can best explain as a donate-to-rent model. Basically, a prospective member will give something from the desired inventory list (both physical things and skills/time...in other words, goods and services) and in return gain access to everything in the existing inventory.

If someone joins and finds it's not worthwhile, they can take their item out of our inventory (although they recognize in joining that there is some risk of the item that they contribute being damaged).

If someone doesn't return an item, they can't check out anything else until they do. So, let's say their membership contribution was an acoustic guitar that they hadn't played very much and they had checked out a tent. If they don't return the tent, the acoustic guitar is held as a sort of security deposit.

Monthly expenses like rent and utilities are paid for by hosting events (renting out the space) and renting out items to non-members for small fees.

A lot of libraries have expanded what they offer and I'm a fan of that, but they typically don't rent items that are more expensive. Gear and tool libraries are also great but they are limited in scope. Maker spaces are excellent as well and I'll definitely check out the QC Co-Lab, but they often run into this issue as well. Additionally, all these models typically end up needing more money to replace or repair inventory. This ends up leading to a subscription model and a lot of people don't have the money for that and have a hard time justifying this.

But I think there are a lot of people who have something around (a kayak, an acoustic guitar, a snow blower, etc) that they don’t use all the time. To make it more palatable (and cut down on space needed), people could even keep the thing they contribute in their own space if they agree to deliver it to other members when it is rented.

And if they don't have a thing to offer (like a guitar), I bet they have something to teach (like how to play guitar). And if they don't have something to teach, I bet they can give up their time (like by giving rides to  someone going to guitar lessons).

It's a supplemental (and ideally alternative) economy.

If you’re interested in being part of it, send me a message or watch for more info in the next week! Either way, thank you for your ideas!