The Chicago Tool Library has been around for since 2019. I only discovered it just last year, and it has made a world of difference. Located out of West Garfield Park, This resource makes it so simple to do home projects without having spend all of that extra money on tool rentals. Having free access to heavy duty machinery is a game changer when you want to embark on your next DIY project!
So, why does it even exist?
The Chicago Tool Library holds a strong mission of being able to provide equitable access to tools, equipment, and information to allow all Chicagoans to learn, share, and create.
The nonprofit strives to reshape Chicagoans relationship to ownership, consumption and creativity. The resource is open to anyone who wants to join and saves so many people lumps of money when starting a new project at home. It is a great resource if you are thinking of trying a new hobby, but maybe don’t want to invest too much money. Or maybe you are trying to fix up your home without having to call for a whole contracting team. Maybe you don’t have the time and luxury to return rental equipment at the proper times. The Chicago Tool Library is a resource for anyone in need of help for any project they come by.
Take it from me, I have needed a power drill for like 6 months now and have just not had the time or extra money to go out and buy one, nor did I want to buy a whole power drill to use for just this one project. The resource of the library lies in its accessibility is lack of commitment. You don’t need to commit to buying that jigsaw just to make a Christmas present for your sister. You don’t have to worry about storing a giant miter saw in your 500 sqft apartment that has only 1 closet. This place just makes it that easy to pick something up, use it when you need it, and get it right on back.
I love that Chicago is a city that fosters community. This city really prides itself on its art scene and ability to make everyone feel like a neighbor. Programs like this make life more simple and accessible. It makes dreams attainable. It makes people feel like they have access to thing they never knew they could have. Sharing resources like this is a huge part of why I began this blog in the first place. It lets me help you! It also lets me share all of these really small businesses that don’t get nearly enough recognition!
So How does it work?
What makes the Chicago Tool Library so accessible is the pay-what-you-can operating system. When you visit their site you will follow their guides and land on the membership page. Here you can choose a membership for an organization or for the general public! The general public option allows you to pay what you can. Now, what does this even mean? It means that this resource is made to be accessible to anyone who needs it. If you can spare $100 to go towards a membership to help the library go that would be incredible. However if you can’t make that happen they just ask you pay what you are able. Once the membership is set you have free access to all of their inventory! The membership costs are really to help the operating systems at the library keep running! The more donors there are, the more tools we get!
What do they have?
The Chicago Tool Library hosts over 3000 different types of tools and gadgets. These range from large to teeny tiny. They carry everything and anything you need. Consider them a mini home depot. They have miter saws, jig saws, pliers, sewing machines, knitting needles, thermal cameras, and so many other cool tools. They even have 3D printers! Their catalog of tools is quite literally never ending and they are constantly expanding.
It really brings me great joy that places like this exist in our city. It makes me happy that people here see a need and work their hardest to get it met. I really want to continue writing about more small businesses like this. Organizations that benefit the community are what Chicagoans are all about. We should be damn proud of it because this is such a cool resource.
I will be using the library for tons of upcoming projects I am doing in my apartment! Maybe I will document the journey in the journal section of my site here. That way I can just have a fun way to document everything I get myself into on a day to day basis. I think it would be fun to track my ideas, projects, and struggles in my realtor journey.
Glad to have you all here with me!
-Brooke 🙂