BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Do you need tools to tackle those home improvement projects, but don't have a few hundred dollars to spend? You can borrow all sorts of tools you might need from the Tool Library here in Buffalo.
"People can come, become members and access and inventory of about 3,200 tools. So ranging anywhere from basic hand tools all the way up to chop saws, table saws, lawnmowers, weed whackers," said Darren Cotton, founder and president of the Tool Library
The Tool Library loans five tools for a week at a time for only a $20/year membership. There are higher cost memberships that allow you to borrow more tools at a time.
Cotton started the non-profit in 2011 to ensure cost was not a barrier to fixing up a home.
"In total we've had about 1,400 people sign up as members. Right now we have I think just under 600 people as active members,"
Cotton said since the beginning of this year, members saved $141,841 in total tool costs while completing DIY home improvement or gardening projects.
And the Tool Library is expanding its tool sharing service to allow membership from all 8 counties Of Western New York.
The organization initially started servicing residents in Erie and Niagara counties exclusively, but people can now join from Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.
"I know it's a bit of a drive but again, versus spending $200, $300 on a tool at a big box store hopefully it's worth it," said Cotton.
To help accommodate the expansion, they're launching their 2020 Toolraiser fundraiser. The fundraiser would help add tools that are in high demand. The ultimate goal is to increase the organization's inventory by 750 tools.
"We really want to make these resources and tools accessible to people. So much the same as a library with books, we're just a place full of lots of really awesome tools," said Cotton.
