Alameda County Library: Centerville Gardening Tool Lending Library
location_onFremont, California
infoAbout Alameda County Library: Centerville Gardening Tool Lending Library
The Centerville Gardening Tool Lending Library is a public library collection at Alameda County Library's Centerville Library, 3801 Nicolet Ave in Fremont, California. It is borrowed with an Alameda County Library card. In the library's words, it "has gardening tools to dig, plant, pick, weed, prune, and trim with." The library announced it on February 14, 2023, funded by the California State Library, with "a sustainability focus that features electric and battery powered garden equipment and hand tools."
What You Can Borrow
The library catalog lists tools marked "Borrow and Return at Centerville Library," including a lopper, pruning saw, hand pruner, leaf blower, string trimmer, hedge trimmer, pole hedge trimmer, pick mattock, spading fork, bow rake, hoe, lawn aerator, weed popper, round shovel, a 50-foot hose and a staple gun. The 2023 announcement also named a fruit picker and a manual lawn edger.
Borrowing
You need an Alameda County Library card and a signed waiver before borrowing tools. Under 18, a parent or guardian signs the waiver. Tools are borrowed for 7 days and cannot be renewed. The library asks you to call before visiting, because a tool may not be on the shelf when you arrive.
Hours
helpFrequently Asked Questions
help_outlineWhat can I borrow from the Centerville Gardening Tool Lending Library?
Garden tools. The catalog lists items such as a lopper, pruning saw, hand pruner, leaf blower, string trimmer, hedge trimmer, spading fork, bow rake, hoe, lawn aerator and weed popper.
help_outlineWhat do I need to borrow a tool?
An Alameda County Library card and a signed tool lending waiver. A parent or guardian signs for borrowers under 18.
help_outlineHow long can I keep a tool?
7 days. Tools cannot be renewed.
help_outlineWhere do I pick up and return tools?
At Centerville Library, 3801 Nicolet Ave, Fremont. The catalog marks these tools "Borrow and Return at Centerville Library."
help_outlineShould I call before I go?
Yes. The library says a tool may not be on the shelf when you arrive and asks you to call (510) 795-2629 first.
help_outlineIs the Irvington tool collection still open?
No. The library says the Irvington Library closed in July 2024.
Tools are borrowed. These you own.
Safety gear, consumables, and basics that Alameda County Library: Centerville Gardening Tool Lending Library doesn't lend — buy them once and finish the job. Every item below ships from Amazon.
Tool libraries lend the tools — but you bring your own PPE. These are the basics worth keeping on a shelf.
ANSI-Rated Safety Glasses
Anti-fog, scratch-resistant. The pair you'll actually wear.
Work Gloves (Cut-Resistant)
Level-5 cut resistance handles utility blades and rough lumber.
Ear Protection (NRR 28+)
Circular saws and routers exceed 100 dB. NRR 28+ is the safe floor.
N95 Dust Masks (10-pack)
Critical for sanding, sawing MDF, or drywall work.
Tool libraries don't lend the stuff that gets used up. Buy these once, finish your project.
Sandpaper Variety Pack
60 to 400 grit covers most rough-to-finish work.
Drill Bit Set (Titanium)
Goes through wood, plastic, and most metals. Lasts longer than HSS.
Utility Knife Blades (100-pack)
Standard-size, fit most retractable knives. Cheaper in bulk.
Wood Screws Variety Box
Mixed lengths and gauges — saves a hardware-store trip mid-project.
Cheap, used constantly, not worth a library trip. Build your own small kit with these.
25-ft Tape Measure
Magnetic hook, standout reach. The one tool you'll grab daily.
Combination Screwdriver Set
Magnetic tips. Phillips + flathead in the sizes you'll actually use.
Stud Finder (Magnetic + Electronic)
Multi-mode finders catch both magnetic fasteners and wood/metal studs.
9-in-1 Multi-Bit Driver
Replaces a kit of screwdrivers and nut drivers in one handle.
Books and plans that show you how to actually use the tools you're borrowing.
Reader's Digest Complete DIY Manual
Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, drywall — the household bible.
The Woodworker's Pocket Book
Joints, wood species, finishes — fits in a tool bag.
Black & Decker Wiring Guide
Code-current, illustrated, written for homeowners not electricians.
Pencil & Carpenter Marker Set
Mechanical carpenter pencils + deep-hole markers — endless small wins.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Recommendations are editorially independent — picks based on what tool-library users typically need alongside borrowed tools.
location_onContact & Location
dashboardFeatures & Categories
card_membershipMembership & Pricing
Annual membership gives you access to the full tool inventory for borrowing.
compare_arrowsNearby Tool Libraries
| Name | Location | Distance | Rating | Membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland Public Library: Oakland Tool Lending Library | Oakland, CA | 23 mi | star4.6 | Free |
| Richmond Tool Library | Richmond, CA | 31 mi | star4.9 | Free |
| Fix Way Tool Library & Common Space | Ventura, CA | 273 mi | — | Pay what you can (suggested $100/year) |
| Los Angeles Tool Library | Los Angeles, CA | 320 mi | star5.0 | Free |
| ToolBox Project | Eugene, OR | 450 mi | star5.0 | — |
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