if you’ve ever started a home-improvement project, put together furniture, or wanted to test drive a new hobby, you know how frustrating it can be when you don’t have the tools you need. Rather than buying new every time, the Cville Tool Library lets its members “check out a tool like a book.”
Since opening its doors at space 13 in the Visible Records building, the library has acquired more than 500 tools—from wrenches and hammers to arbor presses and pruning saws—available for its members to borrow. Started by a group of friends on Zoom, the Virginia Organizing work project lent out its first tool in March 2022 and has grown rapidly over the last year. Most of the tools have been gifted to the volunteer-run library, but more specialized equipment has been acquired through member contributions and donations.
Because some of the tools can be dangerous, safety training is required before borrowing any equipment, and membership is only available to adults in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area. Don’t worry if you’re not the handiest—on top of lending equipment, the library hosts community workshops and classes for the uninitiated.