+ General FAQ

What are your hours?

Thursdays 2pm-7pm

Fridays 10am-3pm

Saturdays 10am-4pm

How does this whole thing work?

It's better than renting, it's borrowing! You choose what you pay for a one-year membership and you are able access a collection of thousands of tools to borrow.

What if I don't know anything about tools?

That’s great! The Chicago Tool Library is a space to ask questions, get advice, and try new things. You do not need to be an expert to borrow tools or visit us - a library is for everyone.

Do you have workshop or makerspace?

We do not have shop space. You need to use your tools offsite.

Do you host classes or workshops?

Not yet! We need more paid staff in order to offer reliable, quality programming.

Can you/will you open more branches?

Maybe someday! Consider becoming a donor to help us get closer to a future where we can expand.

Are you a nonprofit or a business?

We are an officially incorporated nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 federal tax-exempt status.

+ Cost

What does it cost to check out tools?

Tool Library memberships are pay-what-you-can. You choose what you want to pay based on what you can afford. We recommend $100 for your one-year membership, but our members often pay much less or much more. Once you have a membership you won't pay any rental or late fees.

+ Borrowing

How many tools can I borrow?

Please only ask for what you need. Tools may be loaned or denied at the discretion of the Tool Librarian on-duty.

How long can I borrow tools?

Our standard loan period is 7 days although you can request renewals via your member portal.

How can I renew tools?

If you need to borrow tools longer than 7 days you can request a renewal through the member login system. Librarians will either approve or deny your request depending on the demand for the item.

Can I drop off tools after hours?

Bigtime nope! In order to ensure tools don't get lost or damaged they need to be returned during our open hours. If you drop off tools at our building after hours we may cancel your membership.

Can I check out tools using my wife/roommate/brother/etc.'s account?

No. The person physically borrowing the tools and accepting responsibility for them needs to have an account. Think about getting your own! Our quick application and pay-what-you-can fees make it easy for anybody to sign up.

What if my tools are late?

You won't be able to check out new items until your late items are returned. If you have repeated incidents of overdue, lost, or broken items we reserve the right to terminate a membership at any point. In order to reactivate your membership you will need to return all overdue items, reapply, pay a new annual library fee, and your application will need special approval by the Tool Library.

+ Using the library

Do I have to be a Chicago resident? What about the suburbs?

Sorry you must be a Chicago resident to make use of the Chicago Tool Library. We can’t reasonably serve and accommodate users from all of Illinois.

Do you offer family memberships?

No. We need each person who is physically borrowing the tools to have their own account which includes a liability waiver. Since you can pay what you want to join, if several people in a family want to use the tools from the library they can decide how much or little they want to pay to create their own account.

Can I buy a membership for somebody else?

Yes! We have gift memberships here that are also sliding scale. The gift recipient will still have to complete the library agreement before using the library.

+ Tools

What kinds of tools do you have?

We have a broad definition of what makes a “tool”. Our inventory includes a range of tools for woodworking, home repair, gardening, cooking, sewing, and more. Search our inventory here.

When will you get XYZ tool?

Most of our tools have been donated by generous community-members. When we buy new tools we base our purchases on member demand. You can submit a request for new tools in the form on this page!

Do you have hardware and consumables?

We have a "Free Section" at the Tool Library where you can often find things like saw blades, screws, and sandpaper that have been donated to the Tool Library but there is no guarantee. You will likely need to provide your own hardware and consumables.

+ Donations

Can I donate some of my old tools?

Depending on the condition and the need for your tool, yes! Check out our donate page to see how you can donate your tools.

What tools is CTL looking to add to the library?

We are almost always on the lookout for power tools in good condition. You can see a longer list here

+ organization memberships

Can organizations sign up for memberships?

Yes! We now offer memberships for all kinds of community groups and organizations!

How much do organization memberships cost?

• $150/year for mutual aid groups, community gardens, block clubs, community leaders, schools, or groups with budgets under $15k/year
• $300/year for nonprofits, government agencies, faith-based organizations, or groups with budgets over $15k/year
• $500/year for small businesses, contractors, chambers of commerce, and other for-profit entities

Can organizations borrow the same tools as individuals?

We have a seperate tool collection for organizations. You can browse it here.