Get Involved

The Tool Library is powered by volunteers like you!

Volunteers staff the library, run free repair workshops, and put our tools to work planting trees and making the public spaces we share safer and more beautiful.

If you’re looking to make a difference in the community, here are a few ways you can get involved.

Please note that any volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone at all times.

Volunteer at The Tool Library

Two people smiling, holding tools inside the sunlit Tool Library.

The volunteers who staff our tool-lending library on Main Street — our tool librarians! — are the heart and soul of our organization. In this role, you’ll help visitors check out tools, sign up for memberships and more.

You don’t need to be a tool expert. If you’re a kind, creative problem-solver who’s passionate about building a better world, this could be a great fit. Ideally, these volunteers are able to commit to a regular weekly or bi-weekly schedule to help us staff the library. 

Volunteer at a Dare to Repair Cafe

A masked volunteer sitting next to a sewing machine, and fixing an item.

Hosted at different locations across Western New York, our Dare to Repair events invite people to bring broken household items like lamps, vacuums, clothing and small electronics to be fixed — free of charge.

If you like to repair things and want to become a volunteer fixer — or if you want to help with tasks like setup and registration — we’d love to hear from you.

Volunteer at a Service Day

Three people smiling on a city street, with two holding nifty grabbers and garbage bags.

Every spring and fall, The Tool Library put its tools to work in the community, organizing tree-plantings, neighborhood cleanups, public art installations and more in partnership with block clubs and other local groups.

These community service events reconnect neighbors and harness the power of collective action to improve the quality of life in Buffalo. Together, we’re making a difference!