Updates! Handmade Holiday Class Gift Guide

Updates on our Handmade Holiday Gift Classes - they’re filling quick! Not listed are all the gifty classes that have already sold out (believe me, I tried to include them - it’s total chaos).

Don’t wait until last minute and get stuck picking out some Amazon junk just to find out that you already bought your dad fancy nuts three years before (true story). Instead, We’ve compiled a list of classes where you create a piece of art made with 100% genuine love that you can give to someone on your holiday list. Best of all, it’s sort of a selfish gift because while they get whatever you make, you get the skills to build another during our Open Workshop Hours.

Classes, Dates & LINKS

• 11/9 Woodturning II: Bowls

• 11/9 Culinary Knives

• 11/16 Mountain Pendants

• 11/21 Step Stools & Plant Stands

• 11/21 Small Bookshelves

• 11/22 Cedar Planter Boxes

• 11/23 Tiered Leaning Plant Shelves

• 11/23 Paper Block Printing: Holiday Cards

• 11/30 Copper Pine Tree Ornaments

• 12/3 Culinary Knives

• 12/5 Cedar Planter Boxes

• 12/6 Tiered Leaning Plant Shelves

• 12/7 Step Stools & Plant Stands

• 12/7 Paper Block Printing: Holiday Cards

• 12/13 Moss Box Wall Art

• 12/13 Woodturning III: Lidded Boxes

• 12/14 Woodturning I: Vases

• 12/14 Woodworking III: Box Joinery

• 12/17 Culinary Knives

• 12/19 Cutting Boards

• 12/20 Picture Frames

• 12/21 Woodturning II: Bowls

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First Skill Share! Weds, Nov 12th at 6pm

Join us next Wednesday, November 12th from 6p-7:30p for our first-ever DTL Skill Share! We'll have a few tool librarians and members sharing about their recent projects, ranging from van buildouts to electronics repairs. There will be plenty of time for questions and mingling, so come learn a new skill, get inspired, and meet some rad people!

Skill Shares are free events where anyone is welcome to meet and mingle with fellow members and tool librarians and learn more about what projects they are working on. Each event features a few short presentations from community members sharing their projects, lessons learned, and inspiration, followed by time to chat and connect over N/A beverages. No tool experience required!

We're Accepting Food Donations

The Denver Tool Library is accepting food donations for the Athmar Recreation Center in District 7. You can drop off food in the black bin located in the front office anytime during our regular open hours or when you come in for your class.

Priority Donation Items:

✅ Snacks, ready to eat items (dried fruit, nuts, protein bars, instant ramen, popcorn etc.)

✅ Canned items (beans, veggies, fruit, tuna, etc.)

✅ Shelf-stable items like pasta, rice, flour or nut butter

✅ Infant food, formula, and diapers

✅ Unopened hygiene products

✅ Household items (i.e. cleaning supplies)

✅ Reusable bags

The following items cannot be accepted:

❌ Perishable items such as eggs, dairy products, fresh/frozen meat

❌ Prepared meals

❌ Opened packages of food

❌ Clothing

Thanks all!

1pm Early Close on Sat, Nov 15th for Repair Fair

The Tool Lending Library will close an hour early at 1pm on Sunday, Aug 17th for our Repair Fair.

Repair Fairs are free events where community members can bring broken everyday items, such as toasters, bicycles, pants, and more, for free repairs by local volunteer fixers. These fairs offer a chance to learn valuable repair skills, reduce waste, and connect with your neighbors. No repair experience is required as our volunteers will guide you through fixing the items you bring in (limit two items per person please!).

To register to attend or volunteer, go to denvertoollibrary.org/repair-fair

Reminder: Repair Fair! Nov 15th @ 2pm - Free Registration

*Note: Tool Lending Library will close an hour early at 1pm on Sat, Nov 15th

We’re throwing our second ever Repair Fair y’all! It will be Saturday, November 15th 2025 from 2pm to 6pm. Don’t forget to register for free before you attend.

Updates! In addition to the regular fixin’, there will be:

• Tabling from Denver CASR Office (@denvercasr) and CoPIRG

• Spanish language interpretation services from Community Language Cooperative (@communitylanguagecooperative)

• Electronics Recycling

Repair Fairs are free events where community members can bring broken everyday items, such as toasters, bicycles, pants, and more, for free repairs by local volunteer fixers. These fairs offer a chance to learn valuable repair skills, reduce waste, and connect with your neighbors. No repair experience is required as our volunteers will guide you through fixing the items you bring in (limit two items per person please!).

Happy Halloween from the Denver Ghoul Library!

While some of our Halloween decorations may be up 365 days per year (the skeleton is normally to intimidate workshop users into following the rules), they get extra decked out when it’s finally the day of our past life, the Denver Ghoul Library, to rise!

We do advise that our members give extra attention to their borrowed tools on this day, for our saws may play dissonant tunes, our levels tend to never quite read level, and our post hole diggers have been reported to disappear and dig their way UP OUT of your backyard. While few injuries have been reported on this day, we do need to inform you that if your wheelbarrow rolls away by itself, you will still be charged regular late fees.

Want to borrow a non-haunted saw, level, post hole digger, or 6,000+ other tools 364 days per year? Get an annual tool library membership for just $150!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN Y'ALL!

Steal This Wheelbarrow Look

We have a staff marketing content bounty going and we’re getting some interesting submissions. Thank you, Sarah.

FOR JUST $150/YEAR YOU CAN LOOK LIKE ONE OF OUR WHEELBARROWS TOO! Sign up for a membership today.

Tool Zines by Nik!

Some of our tools that you can borrow may seem confusing or intimidating, so Tool Librarian Nik is making laminated how to zines for them! This one explains when to use different types of nailers, step-by-step how to use them, what size nails they take, and even has a QR with links to video so folks can “nail their project,” as Nik says.

Which zine should we make next?

BTW - did you know you can get access to different types of nailers, zines, and hear other cool tag lines that Nik says IRL for just $150/year??

We're Hiring! Part-Time Tool Librarian

The Denver Tool Library is hiring a part-time Tool Librarian for our Thursday (2pm-7pm) and Saturday (10am-3pm) shifts, in addition to on-call opportunities. A Tool Librarian is responsible for day-to-day duties including checking tools in and out, keeping the shop looking great, and helping members find the tools they need.

Deadline to Apply: Friday, October 24th

To learn more and apply, visit denvertoollibrary.org/jobs

Floating Shelves is Back w/ New Instructor Brynn

Floating Shelves is back from hiatus with our brand new woodworking instructor, Brynn! The first class will be Weds, Nov 19th at 2pm and may be the only one before the end of the year, so sign up soon.

Create a beautiful and functional floating shelf from a single piece of rustic hardwood. In this class, you’ll learn how to create seamless, "waterfall" grain matching around mitered corners for a professional, high-end look. This versatile piece works great as a nightstand, a sunny spot for plants, a display for kitchen glasses, or extra space in a bathroom. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

About Your Instructor

Brynn started working with wood when she and her partner purchased an old house and renovated it themselves. Once the house was complete, she began making furniture to fill it, a practice she has continued ever since. She appreciates that woodworking combines necessity, beauty, and practicality. Over the years, Brynn has built a wide range of projects, from two-story decks to mid-century chairs. She enjoys helping others feel comfortable with tools and sees woodworking as both empowering and approachable.