Garden Resource Center: Tool Library & Supply Depot (GRC)
location_onPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
infoAbout Garden Resource Center: Tool Library & Supply Depot (GRC)
The Garden Resource Center (GRC) is run by Grow Pittsburgh and is both a tool lending library and a bulk garden supply depot, created so that gardeners, growers, community gardens and groups can get access to the tools and resources they need without having to purchase everything themselves. The tool library holds a wide variety of hand tools and power tools. Alongside them the GRC stocks gardening and growing supplies including pest management products, cover crops, fertilizers, soil amendments and irrigation equipment, and bulk materials including compost, topsoil, mulch and straw bales. Access to all of it is included with an annual GRC membership, offered on a sliding scale so that cost is not a barrier. Details supplied by the Garden Resource Center, 2026-09-02.
Tools are borrowed. These you own.
Safety gear, consumables, and basics that Garden Resource Center: Tool Library & Supply Depot (GRC)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.
Sliding-scale annual membership, set so that cost is not a barrier to access. Individual: $30 sliding scale, $135 suggested, $345 full value. Group: $100 sliding scale, $250 suggested, $500 full value.
compare_arrowsNearby Tool Libraries
| Name | Location | Distance | Rating | Membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg Tool Library | Harrisburg, PA | 160 mi | star5.0 | 0 |
| DC Tool Library | Washington, DC | 186 mi | star5.0 | Free for DC residents |
| E. Warren Tool Library | Detroit, MI | 207 mi | star4.5 | Free |
| Michigan Equipment Rental & Sales Inc | Village Of Clarkston, MI | 239 mi | star3.7 | — |
| West Philly Tool Library | Philadelphia, PA | 251 mi | star4.7 | $20/year (sliding scale) |
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