What is a "tool library" or "library of things"?

Tool Libraries are like a big garage you share with your neighbors. Instead of books, you  borrow tools and things. Use items to for home and garden projects, crafts and hobbies.

Tool libraries are great for EVERYONE. It's a WIN-WIN-WIN. Learn more below.

How does it work?

Register for an account, provide proof of ID & address, select a membership, and start borrowing!

Check our full catalog in the "left navigation" menu to see what you can borrow.

How much does it cost?

Borrowing is always free! 

We are committed to providing equitable access to tools, which means providing free access to folks who need it, and accepting donations from those who can afford it. 

We offer 4 membership levels:

• Free Membership (Free!)
• Supporting Membership($5/mo)
• Sustaining Membership($10/mo)
• Tools-for-All Membership (Free!)
  • A smaller selection of manual tools are available for members who don't verify address.

We also charge $5/week for battery rentals. All battery tools have a corded equivalent in inventory, or you are welcome to BYO Battery. 

Learn more about our funding here.

Do people really bring things back?

Yes! People take pride in caring for community-owned items.

What kinds of tools do you have?

Interior and exterior home repair, yard and garden, cooking and craft, and more.

View our full catalog in the "left navigation" menu.

How long can I borrow items for?

Loans are good for 1 week.

What happens if I return items late?

We charge a late fee of $1/ week / item.

Stay in touch to avoid late fees!

• We allow free renewals on low-demand items for 2 additional weeks.
• You can renew items through your online account, or by calling and emailing during library hours.

How many tools can I borrow at a time?

Free, Supporting, and Sustaining Members can borrow up to 10 tools at a time from our full catalog.

Tools-for-All member can borrow up to 3 tools at a time. (No electric or digging tools.)

Can I reserve items or be added to a waitlist?

Almost all items in the library are first come, first served. Reservations are required for:

• Oversized or specialty items (stored off-truck).
  • Reservations must be made by 3pm the day before.
• Self-serve lending locker items
  • Can be reserved same day. Learn more about lending lockers here.

We do not waitlist items. Some items are very popular, so we ask for speedy returns so other community members can use them.

What happens if a tool stops working while I am borrowing it?

STOP using the item immediately and report the issue. 

Broken items will be resolved on an individual basis.

• Consumables like blades and sandpaper should be replaced by the member.
• Normal wear and tear that is repairable by the library is supported through member donations.
• Damage caused through misuse of item will be charged to the member, up to full replacements cost.

Do you teach classes or offer help with labor?

We do not help people with projects at home, but we do teach skill workshops.

Check out our Events calendar here. Most of our classes have a small registration fee, but we offer sliding scale discounts. Contact us for a discount code for 25%, 50%, or 100% off your registration.

Can I use tools at your location?

No, we do not have a  makerspace at our location.  Outside our scheduled workshops, tools are intended to be used at your home.

Can I donate tools?

We accept donations of electric and manual tools. Battery powered tools must include all components (no NiCad). NO gas powered tools.  Please contact us before bringing large or oversized items.

Working tools are preferred, repairable are acceptable. 

See our tool wishlist here!

How are you funded?

We are a community non-profit, so we are supported by community members like you!

Donate one time, join as a Supporting or a Sustaining member, or donate when you borrow.

We keep operational costs low, but keeping the lights on requires your support.

We also occasionally apply for grants to support programs and operations. Grant money is not guaranteed, is often restricted, and requires additional reporting and administrative time.

How can I get involved?

Fill out this form and let us know how you want to get involved! There are so many ways to connect with and support your community. Our Volunteer Coordinator will reach out about next steps.

• Tool Librarian
• Repair Technician
• Outreach Team
• Workshops & Special Events
• Join a committee! (Finance, Tool Library, Events)
• and more!

Tool libraries are for everyone! It's a WIN-WIN-WIN!

• You save MONEY by borrowing instead of buying.
• You save SPACE by owning less.
• You save the ENVIRONMENT by using shared, donated, repairable, tools.
  • ♻️ REDUCE, then REUSE, and then RECYCLE.

Share models like tool libraries help...

• Save resources by manufacturing less tools to do the same job.
  • See your personal carbon savings by borrowing instead of buying new!
• Keep tools in circulation longer!
  • Donated tools make up 99% of our inventory, giving new life to used items.
  • Repair and maintenance work is distributed across a network of community fixers. Instead of a single household being responsible for fixing all the tools, experts and community members can repair our shared inventory insuring that repairs are completed quickly and efficiently.
• Reduce waste in our communities! 
  • Using donated tools diverts working and repairable items from the waste stream.
  • Items are responsibly disposed of at the end of their life, meaning less trash and waste in our community.