The Tool Library is open for all your DIY tool borrowing needs!

Dear Tooligans,

We are excited to announce that The Tool Library is back open for in-person borrowing! We can’t wait to see all your shining faces starting Wednesday, May 5th. 


Due to increased demand and limited volunteer capacity, we’ll no longer be offering curbside service. You can call or text us during our regular hours of operation to reserve a tool for same day pick-up and we will continue to maintain a wait list for high-demand tools.

We are a smaller organization with no paid staff, but thanks to a powerful network of volunteers and members we’ve continued to adapt and respond to new challenges since the beginning of the pandemic.

Please refer to the information below for updated borrowing procedures and general guidelines.

We appreciate your continued feedback as we work to create the safest, most efficient way to serve our members as an all-volunteer organization. Keep us posted on how things are working out, where we might be able to make improvements, and how we can continue to support our community. Contact us at info@thetoollibrary.org or 716-510-1745.

PICK-UP PROCESS

  • Ensure you have a valid Tool Library membership by either signing up as a new member or renewing your existing membership.
  • While we HIGHLY encourage walk-in visits, members can still call or text same day reservations during our regular hours of operation (716-510-1745).
  • We will NOT accept reservations via email. 
  • If members are not able to pick up items the same day, we can NOT accept their reservation. 
  • We will maintain a waitlist for high-demand tools
  • We will no longer offer curbside service. Members will need to come into the shop to pick-up their tools.
  • One member will be allowed to come into The Tool Library at a time. 
  • If someone is already in the shop, please wait on one of the teal X’s you’ll see on the sidewalk outside.

DROP-OFF PROCESS

  • Please sanitize your tools before returning them to The Tool Library. Recommended ways to sanitize tools can be found on the CDC’s website.
  • Items will no longer be dropped off next door at 9 W. Northrup Place
  • All items need to be returned in-person to The Tool Library’s main storefront
  • This will help ensure tools are checked in and any issues with maintenance/operation can be addressed
  • Please do not leave tools outside The Tool Library outside our regular hours of operation

MEMBERSHIP SIGN-UP & RENEWAL

We still encourage everyone to process their membership sign-ups and membership renewals remotely via our website and the myTurn platform, which can be done here. If you’ve forgotten your account password, you can reset it via the email you have on file with us.

If you do not have a smartphone or access to the internet, our volunteers can print you an application that can be filled in outside the shop

ADVISEMENT/DISCLAIMER

We advise that people in the most at-risk groups (older people and people with immunocompromisation) do not come in to participate in tool borrowing. If you are in one of these groups and need assistance, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate or connect you to help.

We ask that those individuals who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms and/or have come in contact with someone known to be sick please refrain from visiting The Tool Library and borrowing tools. Common symptoms of the influenza virus may include the following: High Fever, Headaches, Fatigue, Cough, Sore Throat, Runny or Stuffy Nose, Body Aches, Diarrhea and/or Vomiting. According to the CDC, common symptoms of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, may include: Fever, Cough, Shortness of Breath and/or Difficulty Breathing. If you are experiencing even mild symptoms, or have come in contact with anyone who is ill, please stay home.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Wednesday, Thursday, & Fridays
2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Saturdays
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

TOOL LENDING AGREEMENT

All members must sign off on The Tool Library’s ‘Tool Lending Agreement’ and ‘Waiver & Indemnification’ before joining.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

  1. As required by New York State guidelines, we request that all members wear a mask or face covering when picking up or dropping off tools. We also ask that you wash or sanitize your hands before picking up or dropping off tools.
  2. We ask that you please sanitize your tools before returning them to The Tool Library (recommended ways to sanitize tools can be found on the CDC’s website
  3. Volunteers are required to wear masks while working in the shop.
  4. Incoming tools will be sanitized and then left to sit in a separate area of The Tool Library for 24 hours before being put away.
  5. We will begin accepting tool donations once again. Due to our limited space, please contact us ahead of time to let us know what you have, so we can ensure it’s something we can put to good use. You can support our work with a monetary donation made at www.thetoollibrary.org/donate