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(Greater Dakota News Service) A lending library for medical and mobility supplies opened in Sioux Falls just last fall and now its parent nonprofit is making moves to go mobile.

Under the umbrella of The Legacy Foundation, Owen's Outfitters lends out a huge variety of medical equipment-from tiny syringes to hospital beds, as well as mobility devices and equipment for therapy and exercise. There is no cost to borrow items and no deadline for returns.

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Since the library's October 2023 launch, nearly 4,000 items have been borrowed by roughly 430 clients, most of whom are enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid.

Eleanor Turner, co-founder and president of The Legacy Foundation, said the library helps fill gaps.

"We have a lot of folks say that Medicaid or Medicare does not cover these items," Turner pointed out. "Or perhaps their insurance will cover one type, but not another type of what they need."

Turner noted when the library received positive community response, the foundation started toying with the idea of traveling to reach more rural parts of the state. A 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant and a bus donation is jump-starting the project, which Turner added she hopes to roll out this fall.

The bus donated for the mobile library is a small school bus, which Turner stressed is beneficial because it does not require a commercial driver's license to operate, like a large school bus does.

"In terms of how far we go, really the state border is the limit," Turner emphasized. "If we have the volunteers to drive the bus, we see no reason to limit ourselves. Have bus, will travel. I think that's the new motto."

Turner explained Owen's Outfitters is modeled after a library in Milwaukee, which she used while living there with her late son, who was born with a rare chromosome disorder, and for whom the Sioux Falls library is named.