The Benefits of Household Tool Libraries
A tool library isn’t just a cupboard filled with screwdrivers and hammers, it’s a simple, powerful idea that makes life a bit easier for everyone. Instead of each family buying tools that spend most of their lives in a shed, whole neighbourhoods can share what they need.
Tool libraries save money, free up space and help us live greener lives, all while bringing people together. Here’s a deeper look at why tool libraries are worth a place in any local community.
Avoid renting garden strimmers, they cause awful damage to wildlife (use garden shears instead). Or at least sweep areas with a broom first, to give wildlife a chance to escape. Also avoid robotic mowers (sleeping wildlife can’t escape in time).
It’s the law to take possibly dangerous tools back to the shop. Which also has a legal duty to recycle them on for you.
Saving Money on Occasional Use
Most people only need a drill or a power saw a few times a year. Tool libraries let everyone borrow what they need, when they need it, without buying expensive equipment that might gather dust.
This sharing keeps costs low and makes tricky home jobs more affordable for everyone, no matter their budget. Families can put their money towards other priorities, knowing the right tools are still within reach.
Reducing Clutter in Homes
Tools take up a lot of space, especially the bigger ones like ladders or power sanders. Storing a full kit for every possible task simply isn’t practical for most homes, especially flats or small houses.
Tool libraries give people access to everything they need, just without the headache of finding a place to put it all. This means tidier sheds, garages and cupboards, with room for the things that actually get used every day.
Encouraging Environmental Responsibility
Manufacturing and throwing away rarely used tools creates a lot of waste and burns through precious resources. When people share, fewer tools need to be made, shipped and binned. Tool libraries cut down on pollution and landfill scrap.
They also help keep good quality gear in action for longer, rather than letting it break from neglect or short-term trends. Borrowing instead of buying takes a real step towards more sustainable living.
Building Community Connections
A tool library brings neighbours together in simple, friendly ways. Whether it’s swapping tips on fixing a leaky tap or offering a helping hand with a heavy garden job, people naturally get to know each other better.
These small moments grow into trust and support, creating a real sense of community. When folks help each other succeed, it makes everyone feel a bit more at home where they live.
Supporting Local Projects and DIY Skills
A shared tool collection opens the door to new learning. People can try new projects, big or small, without worrying about buying expensive gear first. From community gardens to local repair workshops, tool libraries make it easier for anyone to pick up skills and join in.
They’re also a great way for people to pass on what they know, turning everyday jobs into teachable moments for neighbours of all ages.
Fostering a Sense of Shared Responsibility
When everyone uses the same tools, people tend to take better care of them. Users learn to clean, return and respect shared items. This sense of looking out for each other can carry over into other parts of community life.
Tool libraries encourage habits like sharing, patience and responsibility, which help strengthen the bonds between people.
Making Home Improvements More Accessible
Not everyone can afford a full set of tools or has the knowledge to know what to buy. Tool libraries make it easier for renters, new homeowners and younger families to tackle repairs and improvements themselves.
This saves on costly call-outs for basic jobs and gives people more control over their living space. It also helps bridge the gap for those who might feel left out of traditional DIY circles.
Offering a Sustainable Model for the Future
As people look for ways to live more simply and save resources, the tool library model shines. It supports local economies by keeping resources close to home. It reduces waste and helps spread the value of quality tools across as many hands as possible.
This way of sharing isn’t new, but it’s becoming more important as we rethink how we buy, own and use everyday items.
Where to Join a Tool Library
Fat Llama is a website where you can rent things you temporarily need. Renters are covered for accidental damage and accidental loss.
This site has already rented out a million items in 7 countries, with most things around 60% cheaper than buying, and of course you are reducing world waste! Top things rented out in 2024 were:
- Camera equipment
- Portable speakers
- Hammer drills
- Boat trailers
- Ski clothing
- Bouncy castles
- Pressure washers
- Folding chairs
RentRooster is a similar site, where you can rent anything from bikes to holiday homes, and from musical instruments to sports equipment. Again it puts full caveats in place to ensure safety and security.
Rent Items from Self-Service Lockers
Library of Things is a website to rent useful household items, from self-service lockers. Or items can be delivered, if you don’t live near one. At end of use, just return the clean tool, ready for someone else to rent. It partners with quality brands like BOSCH.
Examples of popular tools rented out include the following:
- Steam cleaners
- Carpet cleaners
- Cordless drills
- Pressure washers
- Extendable ladders
- Sanders
- Wallpaper strippers
- Sewing machines
- Tile cutters
- Loppers
- DIY tool kits
- Saws
- Secateurs
- Moisture Meters
- Thermal imaging cameras
- Paper shredders
- Spirit levels
- Extension reels
- Bike toolkits
Presently, Library of Things is just in several London locations. But you can start a new branch anywhere you like.
An Inspiring Tool Library in Scotland
Edinburgh Tool Library is an inspiring tool library in Scotland. This tool library also has a Repair Café, staffed by techy peeps, who love to fix things! Their members can fix:
- Hand and power tools
- Kitchen gadgets (blenders, kettles, toasters)
- Lamps and other small electric goods
- Radios, stereos and battery items
- Toys (not soft toys or dolls)
They can’t repair:
- White goods (fridges, washing machines)
- Very big things!
- Computers or smartphones
- Vacuum cleaners
- Bicycles
- Clothes or textiles
Membership is friendly and affordable. As well as lending you equipment, you can attend basic workshops on DIY and woodwork, including for disabled residents.
The average ‘not returning an item’ is around 4 per 22,000 items, so it’s pretty safe! Late fees are charged, just like with library books!
Tools are collected a couple of times a week, and must be returned clean and in the same condition. Most tools are borrowed just for the weekend (popular ones are makita tools and carpet cleaners) although some tools can be borrowed for longer. Members also get free tool sharpening services.
