Tool Library

Many community gardeners who want to provide environmental stewardship and fresh, healthy foods for their communities are limited by lack of resources – access to tools being a major stumbling block. The Green Guerillas Tool Lending Library meets this need. We invite community gardeners use our free lending library, which operates from mid-March through October each year.

We deliver tools directly to and pick them back up from community gardens, or gardeners can pick them up at our office. All community gardeners ages 18 or older who are members of a New York City community garden are welcome to request tools. Home gardeners are not eligible.

We encourage you to coordinate with your garden members when making requests, review our FAQs, and view safety videos before ordering. The Tool Library operates from mid-March through October.

FAQs

  • The first known tool lending library in the US began in 1943 in Michigan. There were several active tool share programs in California in the 1960s and 1970s. Community gardeners in Brooklyn recall that Hattie Carthan operated a tool library during the 1960’s in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Today, there are many tool library initiatives across the country including some specifically for community garden groups, like the tool library run by the Washington D.C. Department of Parks.

    The concept of a tool library is a collective manifestation of community spirit and shared values, emerging in various forms across different communities and times. Each story weaves into the larger narrative of communal resource sharing and of the collective wisdom and efforts of communities that embrace the ethos of collaboration. We honor all who have gone before us in similar initiatives!

  • Loan periods are 14 days with the option to renew for an additional 7 days.

    You can make requests as often as needed. Please coordinate with your fellow garden members so that each request serves your whole group.

  • For delivery to your community garden: We have regular drop offs and pick ups twice a month. We will schedule with you. For pick up from the Green Guerillas office: We have flexibility Monday through Friday from 10am - 4pm, scheduled with at least 3 days notice.

  • Please continue to check back on our website.

  • You can browse safety videos here or search for specific videos on YouTube.

Please help us learn what tools would serve your community garden.