our mission:
to provide equitable access to tools, equipment, and information to allow all Chicagoans to learn, share, and create.
The Chicago Tool Library opened in fall of 2019. Located in the West Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago, our non-profit lending library houses thousands of items that range from basic hand tools and table saws to ice cream makers and camping equipment.
We are a forward-thinking organization hoping to help our city reshape its relationship to ownership, consumption, and creativity.
why is it better to borrow?
EQUITY
Purchasing and renting tools is expensive. This creates inequity around who is allowed to create. We create the opportunity for everyone to access tools to improve and repair their neighborhoods.
SUSTAINABILITY
By sharing tools we reduce the manufacturing footprint of tools. We divert unwanted tools from landfills and, instead, put them into the hands of thousands of community members.
COMMUNITY
Many in our city are not members of a community with access to valuable assets or resources. We are creating that community of abundance for all of our neighbors.
GROWTH
With the right resources we are able to improve our lives. Tool libraries create new opportunities for growth, learning, and experimentation.
COST
Purchasing and maintaining tools is expensive, but borrowing them is not. Our memberships are priced on a sliding scale so anyone can borrow.
SPACE
Having the space to store tool collections is a luxury in a city. Joining the tool library means you have access to hundreds of tools without needing to store them in your own home.
KNOWLEDGE
Tool libraries are spaces for learning. We welcome anyone to visit and share your questions, problems, and solutions with our community. We hope to grow capacity for training, programming, and workshops.
CONFIDENCE
Borrowing tools allows you to experiment! When you don’t have to purchase an expensive tool you can build skills and confidence at your own pace and your own budget.
“I love the Chicago Tool Library. The [volunteers are] friendly, professional and took the time to explain and show me how to use the tools, plus given me different ideas for a lot of my projects. The terms for borrowing the tools are great and inexpensive. The best thing is the money I’ve saved by doing the work myself. Thanks Chicago Tool Library!”
– Delores, CTL Member