Need a wrench or a ladder? How to borrow one from Lexington’s new ‘tool library’

A six-foot step ladder can cost upwards of $100.

A weed wacker can be close to $200.

For many, the cost to buy necessary tools for repairs to their homes or apartments is too costly for a tool they may only use once.

Thanks to the new Lexington Tool Library, Fayette County residents will now have the option to borrow tools for a monthly membership fee that can range from zero to $10, depending on a resident’s income.

On Wednesday, the city officially opened the new tool library at the United Way of the Bluegrass WayPoint center at the city’s Black and Williams Center at 498 Georgetown Street, room 104.

It’s believed to be the first tool library in Lexington.

The effort was spurred by a combination of groups including Lexington Pride Center, United Way of the Bluegrass and Commerce Lexington Leadership Lexington class.

“This is going to be a game changer for Lexington” said Casey Lyons, a member organizer of the tool library. The organizers hope this will help those who are struggling to make repairs but don’t have a lot of disposable income.

“A lot of people are living in broken down homes, with landlords that won’t fix things or as homeowners with code violations they can’t afford to fix, getting charged fines that make it even harder to pay for the repairs they need to keep their houses,” Lyons said. “We needed something different: a way for people to come together and share what we have, empowering ourselves and each other to make things better when the powerful won’t.”

Nick Lyell, another founding member of the library, said he, Lyons and others had started talking about starting a tool library more than two years ago. Lyell said the group reached out to other tool libraries — including ones in Louisville, Chicago and Philadelphia — to determine the best way to get started and how to run a lending tool library.

Lyell said the tool libraries they spoke with said it was rare for people to borrow tools and never bring them back.

“They all said that’s only happened once or twice,” Lyell said.

Lyell said they have received more than just tools. The group has small kitchen appliances, portable grills, a sewing machine and even crutches.

As Lyell and Lyons’ group, called LexTools, started working on the project, members of Commerce Lexington Leadership Lexington class were looking for a community project. Chris Gipson, a member of the Leadership Lexington class, originally suggested the group figure out a way to help people with code violations but had no money to make repairs.

Gipson saw a social media post about a meeting LexTools was holding. The two groups joined forces.

“It became clear quickly that a tool library was the answer,” Gipson said of helping people remain in their homes. Gipson said the tool library is also a great way to spread resources throughout the community. Many people use a tool once or twice and then never use it again. This provides a sustainable way to do home improvement.

The two groups then sought community partners, including the United Way of the Bluegrass, which offered the group space at the WayPoint Center, which helps connect residents with employment and other services.

Gerri Botts, director of the WayPoint Initiative, said the tool library and the WayPoint Center were a perfect fit. Giving people tools to make their house or apartment safer is empowering.

Botts said the tool library is not just for low-income people. Everyone needs help sometimes.

Imagine trying to hang a picture with no hammer, she said.

“I’ve been known to use a shoe,” she said.

Lexington Fayette Urban County Councilwoman Shayla Lynch, whose council district includes the Black and Williams Center, said she knows residents in the Georgetown Road area will use the library. “I’m going to utilize this service,” Lynch said.

The library includes:

• Power tools

• Woodworking equipment

• Landscaping, lawn and garden equipment

• Kitchen equipment

• Camping equipment

The wish list contains:

• Electric/battery powered lawn mower

• Batteries

• Van to start a mobile tool library

• Cash donations to buy more tools

Gipson said the group is focusing on electric or battery-powered tools and can’t take gas powered tools because of liability and insurance reasons.

How it works, how to donate

People have to be members to borrow equipment. The price for membership is dependent on the borrower and how much they want to pay. The suggested membership fee is $10 a month but people can make their own determination, Lyons said.

Credit card information and references are also required.

Because the program is run by volunteers the tool library has limited hours. It’s only open on Thursday from 5-8 p.m.

The group is also looking or monetary donations or donation of tools. To find out more about how the program works, how to donate either cash or tools or how to join the library go to www.lextools.org.