Tool Lending Library
LA County Library
Innovation Synopsis
LA County Library’s Tool Lending Library launched in May 2022, providing the community access to free tools and maker items at five high-need libraries. In addition to common handheld and power tools, the inventory includes tools for electrical work, gardening, sewing and clothing repair, cooking and baking, auto repair, bike repair, and crafting.
Challenge/Opportunity
Tools are expensive to purchase and are often only needed for one-time projects. With unemployment and poverty rates soaring in LA County post-pandemic, many residents do not have the capacity to buy tools for home improvement or personal enrichment. By establishing an option to borrow costly tools for free, the program helps save customers money while enabling them to complete projects and develop new skills, creating a more equitable opportunity for underserved populations and encouraging community sharing.
Key Elements of Innovation
- The five locations (Compton, Rosemead, Lancaster, Norwalk, and San Fernando) span all Supervisorial Districts and have a high concentration of vulnerable populations, helping to ensure equitable access.
- Inventory includes large and expensive tools like sewing machines, Cricuts, and power washers.
- Virtual and in-person events were developed to showcase tools like native plant gardening and clothes mending techniques.
- Reduces the environmental impact of owning and discarding them, especially for one-time projects.
Achieved Outcomes
- Over 1,060 tools have circulated in 10 months.
- The most popular tools are the power washer, sewing machine, and Cricut.
- A recent viral TikTok post about the program has garnered even more interest.
- Positive customer feedback:
- “Finally able to care for my car!”
- "Saved money... didn't have to purchase a fabric steamer! Thank you!!”
- “I don't have the space to own my own sewing machine so I appreciate [this]!”
- “Amazing and useful tools that help save money. There just isn't anything cooler than this prog
