The Tool Lending Library

It’s like a book library, but for tools!

$150 gets you access to over 5,000 tools to take home for home maintenance, renovation, lawn, garden, DIY projects, woodworking, metalworking, your car, and your bicycle for a whole year. There is no additional fee per tool or per checkout after the initial membership fee.

Having trouble affording a membership? Thanks to our Share the Tools Fund donors, you can now apply for Financial Assistance.

How to borrow tools:

  1. Browse through our different types of memberships here. You can buy online or show up at the shop during open hours to purchase your membership and pick up your tools same day. Bring an ID and a credit card to keep on file.

  2. Once you are registered, you can check out up to 10 tools (including 3 power tools) to take home for one week as many times as you would like throughout the year. Look at what types of tools we offer.

  3. Read about late fees, renewals, holds, and more here.


Tool Library Lending Hours:

  • Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2pm-7pm

  • Saturdays & Sundays, 10am-3pm

Types of Tools:

To search our inventory and see exactly what tools we have available for checkout, click here.

  • Home Renovation: Saws (miter, circular, table, jig, reciprocating, tile, hand), Sanders (belt), Drills (power, impact, hammer), Air Compressors, Nailers, Multi-Tools, Awls, Brushes, Buffers, Clamps, Crowbars, Files, Hammers, Mallets, Pliers, Pry Bars, Screwdrivers, Socket Sets, Stands, Staple Guns, Stud Finders, Utility Knives, Wrenches, Saws (jig, tile, wet), Caulk Guns, Drywall Sanders, Sander Poles, Drywall Saws, Drywall T-Squares, Knives, Paint Scrapers, Paint Brushes, Scrapers, Stud Finders, Trowels, Soldering (guns, irons, kits), Circuit Testers, Extension Cords, Heat Guns, Multi-meters, Pipe Benders, Wire Cutters, Wire Strippers, Extension ladders, Step Ladders, Brooms, Brushes, Magnets, Scrapers, Shop Vacs, Chalk Lines, Levels, Squares, Measuring Tapes, Plumb Bobs, Rulers, Laser Levels

  • Woodworking & Carpentry: Drill Presses, Routers, Planers, Sanders (palm, orbital, finishing), Saws (miter, saber, hand), Rasps, Vises, Chisels, Jigs,

  • Metalworking: Flux Welders, Bench Grinders, Angle Grinders, Bolt Cutters, Brushes, Chisels, Files, Angle Grinders, Hammers, Metal Snips, Vise Grip, Riveters, Soldering Guns

  • Garden & Outdoors: Rakes (metal, spring), Saws (bow, hand, tree, pole), Shovels (pointed, round, spade, edge, trenching), Lawn Mowers (push, electric), Leaf Blowers, Axes, Branch Cutters, Digging Bars, Digging Forks, Edgers, Garden Claws, Shears, Hand Spades, Loppers, Hedge Clippers, Hedge Shears, Hedge Trimmers, Hoes, Lawn Aerators, Pick Axes, Pitchforks, Post Hole Diggers, Post Pounders, Pruners, Pry Bars, Seed Spreaders, Sledge Hammers, Trowels, Tillers, Weedwackers, Wheelbarrows, Rototillers (electric)

  • Safety: Ear Muffs, Gloves, Hard Hats, Knee Pads, Dust Masks, Safety Glasses, Hoods, Fans, Lights

Late Fees:

Late fees are accrued per tool and a per calendar day basis, meaning late fees apply even days when we are closed.

  • High-demand tools: $3/day late fee.

    • High-demand tools include: Table saws, rototillers, framing nailers, impact drivers, compressors, lawn mowers, sewing machines, rotary hammers, hammer drills, weed whackers, large tile saws, and concrete mixers. 

  • Power tools: $1/day late fee.

  • Hand tools: $.50/day late fee.

If you have tools to return and are not feeling well, please EMAIL US and we’ll work together from there.


Renewals:

You are able to renew most of your tools one time for one extra week, however, there are no renewals for high-demand tools. You are able to renew all your tools except for high-demand tools through your MyTurn account. If you are unable to login to your account, you can send us an email hello@denvertoollibrary.org.

Holds & Reservations:

If there is a tool you would like to check out that is unavailable, we can put you on a list and give you a call when it becomes available. We cannot, however, reserve a tool for you that you would like to pick up on a specific day in the future - all tools are on a first-come first-served basis.


Bits, Blades, & Abrasives:

Many members return their tools with whatever staples, sandpaper, biscuits, etc that they did not use. Generosity like that is so good for our community! So you are welcome to use whatever disposables previous members were kind enough to leave with the tools. If you require something specific, you may have to purchase it yourself.


Tool Problems:

Tools can have problems and it’s impossible for us to fully inspect and test all of them every time they come in. If there is evident damage to your tool, if it’s missing a part, or if it doesn’t feel right while it’s in operation, DON’T USE IT! Please bring it back and we’ll take a look at it, fix it, or give you a new one.

Many of our tools are heavily used. If you break a tool, please let us know and we promise we won’t be mad. If the tool has obvious signs of abuse, we may ask you to make a contribution.


Tool Donations:

Thank you for thinking of us! Donating power tools in good working condition is a great way to support the DTL community. But please note: due to current space limitations, WE CANNOT ACCEPT ALL TOOLS.

If you have tools you wish to donate, please reach out to our Inventory Coordinator Scott at sroth.sbr@comcast.net with a description of the items, and pics if you can. We don’t have the room to accept everything that comes our way, so it’s important to check in with our team before you load up the truck.

You can read more about Donations here. Thank you!!