MISSION
The Tool Library Alliance (TLA) unites tool libraries across the United States to foster community resilience, increase sustainability, and build a culture of generosity through the sharing of tools, skills, and knowledge.
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GOALS
Strengthen and Sustain Existing Tool Libraries: Provide resources, support, and networking opportunities to enhance the operations and impact of established tool libraries.
Reduce Waste and Encourage Sustainable Practices: Advocate for the reduction of waste and overconsumption by promoting the sharing and reuse of tools, thereby minimizing environmental impact and shifting cultural values.
Support the Development of New Tool Libraries: Advocate for and assist in the creation of new tool libraries, ensuring they have the guidance and resources needed to thrive.
Enhance Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensure that tool libraries are known as a relevant community resource and are accessible to all community members, fostering inclusivity and equity in resource sharing especially among those historically cut off from public resources.
Promote Community Building and Skill Sharing: Encourage collaboration and skill-sharing among community members to build stronger, more connected neighborhoods.
Leverage Collective Power: Collaborate on mutual-benefit efforts to secure funding, reduce costs, and improve access to business services.
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Join us for free, monthly Co-Lab learning sessions! Hear from experienced practitioners, ask questions, and share your own expertise:
Tuesday, May 27th: Staffing Structures and Hiring (register)
Tuesday, June 24th: Community Service Volunteers and Internship Management (register)
👋 Invite hello@toollibraryalliance.org to your event to add it to the TLA calendar!
Past Events
Past Events
Open Forum: Winter Weather Preparedness (recording)
» View 2025 Co-Labs on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@ToolLibraryAlliance «
View 2024 Co-Labs from Shareable
Find a Tool Library
Find a Tool Library
📌Add a tool library to the map
If you lend tools we'd love to know where you are regardless of your library's age or structure! More categories of libraries of things will be added to our map in the future.
This map is a work in progress and not a comprehensive resource. If you don't see a library in your community, search locally or use our resources to start something!
Resources
Resources
Shared Resource Drive - templates, guides, and tools from libraries around the world
Libraries of Things Toolkit - your go-to guide to starting and growing a library of things, published by Shareable
Reuse Funders - a living document of grant prospects for reuse projects by Upstream
Adding party kits to your library - A how-to for expanding your inventory for sustainable dinnerware.
Partners
Partners
Shareable - Start-up resources for new libraries of things, including the LOT CoLab learning series
Repair Economy Washington - Offers start-up guides for hosting repair events and networking opportunities
The Maintainers - Global research and practice network focused on advancing maintenance, repair, and care.
LOTMutualAid - a Google group for LOTs housed within municipal libraries
Australian Library of Things Network - our counterparts on the other side of the globe
Membership
Membership
TLA Membership is currently open to any independent library of things in the U.S. that has been operating for at least two years and lends tools. If you're in a different situation, we would still love to hear from you!
Member Quick Links
Member Quick Links
👥 TLA Google Group
At the Tool Library Alliance, we don't just share tools! We want to be a resource when it comes to marketing materials, research reports, governance documents, and grant templates. Our members have started to compile these sorts of resources into a shared Google Drive that you can access and use as you get up and running. Have materials to contribute? Reach out and let us know.
TLA Leadership
TLA Leadership
The Tool Library Alliance is governed by an elected, all-volunteer steering committee, which is informed by our members. Your current steering committee is:
Leanna Frick chair
Station North Tool Library
Alison Huff treasurer
Shareable
Amanda Miller
South King Tool Library
Darren Cotton
The Tool Library Buffalo
Jason Naumann
Portland Library of Things Network
Josh Epstein
Seattle REconomy
Nick Wilbur
SEAC Tool Shed
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