Tool Library

What it is

A community-owned collection of tools and equipment that members can borrow. Memberships typically run $20 to $100 a year. The library tracks loans the way a book library does. Some libraries also include a workshop space, classes, and a maker community around the inventory.

There were around 40 tool libraries in 2013. Now there are hundreds across North America, with active expansion still happening.

Why it works

Most households own a drill that they use 12 minutes a year. A neighborhood of 200 households owns 200 drills, almost all of them idle almost all of the time. A tool library replaces the 200 drills with one good drill that gets used hundreds of times. The math is so obvious that the only real question is why it isn't standard infrastructure in every neighborhood.

The relational effect is real too. Tool libraries become hubs where neighbors meet other people working on similar projects. Beginners borrow with confidence because more experienced members are usually around to offer help.

What you need

• Time: 6 to 12 months to launch a real library. Ongoing 5 to 15 hours per week per active steward.
• People: A founding team of 3 to 6. A volunteer board over time. Eventually 1 part-time staff person if the library reaches 100+ members.
• Space: A dedicated room or unit with shelving, secure storage, and workspace. Often donated or rented cheaply.
• Materials: Initial tool inventory (donations + seed purchases). Library management software (Lendr, MyTurn, or open-source alternatives). Member tracking. Tool safety signage.
• Skills: Tool knowledge, library management basics, teaching, safety training, ongoing community facilitation.
• Energy level: Moderate to high. Real organizational work.

How to host it

1. Form a founding team. 3 to 6 people who will carry the launch. Mix of tool-skilled folks and organization-skilled folks.
2. Pick a structure. Most tool libraries are 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Some are fiscally sponsored. Some operate as informal collectives. Talk to existing libraries before picking. The Tool Library Network is the field hub.
3. Find space. Libraries (the book kind) sometimes host tool libraries inside. Community centers, churches, and donated retail space all work. You need 400 to 1,500 square feet to start.
4. Acquire the first tool inventory. Three sources: donations from the community (run a one-day collection drive at a [Block Party](../01-knowing-your-neighbors/block-party.md)), retired tools from contractors, seed purchases for the most-needed categories. 100 to 300 tools is a credible launch inventory.
5. Set up tracking. Lendr (lendingtools.org), MyTurn, or a simple spreadsheet to start. Track who has what, when it's due, condition history.
6. Set the membership model. Sliding scale is common: $0 to $100. Most libraries offer free memberships for households below an income threshold. Some are entirely free.
7. Write a clear safety and use policy. What requires a quick training before borrowing. What can be loaned to anyone. Liability waivers (talk to a lawyer who's done this work; templates exist).
8. Open with a launch event. A "show off the tools" day before formal lending starts. People come, see the inventory, sign up.
9. Run regularly. Open hours 2 to 4 days a week is typical for new libraries. Slowly add classes, workshops, repair clinics ([Repair Cafe](./repair-cafe.md) format).
10. Connect to the network. Local Tools and the Tool Library Network share software, policy templates, fundraising help, and operational wisdom.

Variations

Apartment building tool library. A closet or storage room with shared tools for one building or complex. Smaller, simpler, more intimate.

Tool share without a building. A spreadsheet of "who has what" and direct neighbor-to-neighbor loans. Easier to start. Less inventory. No central space.

Maker space. A tool library that includes workspace, classes, and a maker community. More complex to run; more capability when running well.

Specialty libraries. Sewing machines (a "stitch library"). Cooking equipment. Outdoor gear. Children's toys. The model adapts.

Stories from neighborhoods

Berkeley Tool Library has run since 1979, one of the longest-operating in the U.S. It's based in a public library branch, free for any Berkeley resident with a library card. The model proves tool lending can sit inside public infrastructure.

Portland Tool Library, Halifax Tool Library, and dozens of others have demonstrated the model at neighborhood scale, with 1,000+ members and tool inventories in the thousands.

The Tool Library Network tracks libraries, shares software, and supports new launches. The growth from 40 libraries in 2013 to several hundred in 2025 is steady and mostly volunteer-driven.

Where to learn more

• The field hub: Local Tools
• Open-source library software: Lendr
• Adjacent recipes: [Repair Cafe](./repair-cafe.md), [Skillshare](./skillshare.md), [Buy Nothing](./buy-nothing.md)

Details

• steps: **Form a founding team.** 3 to 6 people who will carry the launch. Mix of tool-skilled folks and organization-skilled folks., **Pick a structure.** Most tool libraries are 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Some are fiscally sponsored. Some operate as informal collectives. Talk to existing libraries before picking. [The Tool Library Network](https://localtools.org/) is the field hub., **Find space.** Libraries (the book kind) sometimes host tool libraries inside. Community centers, churches, and donated retail space all work. You need 400 to 1,500 square feet to start., **Acquire the first tool inventory.** Three sources: donations from the community (run a one-day collection drive at a [Block Party](../01-knowing-your-neighbors/block-party.md)), retired tools from contractors, seed purchases for the most-needed categories. 100 to 300 tools is a credible launch inventory., **Set up tracking.** Lendr ([lendingtools.org](https://lendingtools.org/)), MyTurn, or a simple spreadsheet to start. Track who has what, when it's due, condition history., **Set the membership model.** Sliding scale is common: $0 to $100. Most libraries offer free memberships for households below an income threshold. Some are entirely free., **Write a clear safety and use policy.** What requires a quick training before borrowing. What can be loaned to anyone. Liability waivers (talk to a lawyer who's done this work; templates exist)., **Open with a launch event.** A "show off the tools" day before formal lending starts. People come, see the inventory, sign up., **Run regularly.** Open hours 2 to 4 days a week is typical for new libraries. Slowly add classes, workshops, repair clinics ([Repair Cafe](./repair-cafe.md) format)., **Connect to the network.** [Local Tools](https://localtools.org/) and the Tool Library Network share software, policy templates, fundraising help, and operational wisdom.
• file path: recipes/03-mutual-aid/tool-library.md
• variations: **Apartment building tool library.** A closet or storage room with shared tools for one building or complex. Smaller, simpler, more intimate. **Tool share without a building.** A spreadsheet of "who has what" and direct neighbor-to-neighbor loans. Easier to start. Less inventory. No central space. **Maker space.** A tool library that includes workspace, classes, and a maker community. More complex to run; more capability when running well. **Specialty libraries.** Sewing machines (a "stitch library"). Cooking equipment. Outdoor gear. Children's toys. The model adapts.
• ingredients: {"time":"6 to 12 months to launch a real library. Ongoing 5 to 15 hours per week per active steward.","space":"A dedicated room or unit with shelving, secure storage, and workspace. Often donated or rented cheaply.","people":"A founding team of 3 to 6. A volunteer board over time. Eventually 1 part-time staff person if the library reaches 100+ members.","skills":"Tool knowledge, library management basics, teaching, safety training, ongoing community facilitation.","materials":"Initial tool inventory (donations + seed purchases). Library management software (Lendr, MyTurn, or open-source alternatives). Member tracking. Tool safety signage.","energy_level":"Moderate to high. Real organizational work."}
• where to learn more: - The field hub: [Local Tools](https://localtools.org/) - Open-source library software: [Lendr](https://lendingtools.org/) - Adjacent recipes: [Repair Cafe](./repair-cafe.md), [Skillshare](./skillshare.md), [Buy Nothing](./buy-nothing.md)
• stories from neighborhoods: **Berkeley Tool Library** has run since 1979, one of the longest-operating in the U.S. It's based in a public library branch, free for any Berkeley resident with a library card. The model proves tool lending can sit inside public infrastructure. **Portland Tool Library**, **Halifax Tool Library**, and dozens of others have demonstrated the model at neighborhood scale, with 1,000+ members and tool inventories in the thousands. The [Tool Library Network](https://localtools.org/) tracks libraries, shares software, and supports new launches. The growth from 40 libraries in 2013 to several hundred in 2025 is steady and mostly volunteer-driven.