Sometimes you need a table saw, a power washer or some other tool that you’ll use only occasionally.

Why buy it when you can borrow it?

Thanks to the Community Makerspace Tool Library, these items—and many more—can be borrowed for two-week periods. And thanks to Athens County Public Libraries (ACPL), it’s free and easy.

ACPL was one of the community partners that banded together to purchase the assets of ReUse Industries when it closed last year. ACPL funded the acquisition of the Tool Library, which it now sponsors.

Back in the day, a paid Makerspace membership was required to borrow tools. That’s no longer the case.

“We’re taxpayer funded from all the residents of Ohio and the citizens of Athens County,” says Nick Tepe, ACPL Director. “The Tool Library is free—just like everything else in our collections.”

Residents of Ohio and neighboring counties of West Virginia who are 18 or older are eligible to borrow tools. Borrowers do need to sign a Usage Agreement to get started.

“I’m glad the library was able to sponsor this small part of the Makerspace project,” Nick says. “I feel like it’s exactly the sort of thing we want the library to do . We identify groups in the community we can work with and amplify their voice through our outlets.”

The Tool Library currently has 182 items in inventory, and its website details each tool and whether it’s currently available. Borrowers can reserve a tool using an online form and then stop by the Community Makerspace to pick it up.

Nick says the tool library will consider the acquisition of new tools based on user input and feedback from the Community Makerspace staff, which runs day-to-day operations of the Tool Library.

Borrow a Tool