Grosse Pointe Public Library: Tool Collection
location_onGrosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
infoAbout Grosse Pointe Public Library: Tool Collection
The Grosse Pointe Public Library's Tool Collection is a free tool lending collection at the Central Library, 10 Kercheval Avenue in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. In the library's words, "Tools are located at the Central Library and are loaned free with your library card. We are constantly adding new tools."
History
The collection "started in the fall of 1943 as a project of the Boys' Work Committee of the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club." It was originally provided and maintained by the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club as a memorial to Robert M. Orr, and is now supported each year by the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club Foundation.
Borrowing
Tools are loaned free with a library card for 7 days. Tools are one of the few items that still carry overdue fines: $1.00 per day. To renew an overdue item you must call or come to the library.
Library Cards
helpFrequently Asked Questions
help_outlineWhere is the tool collection?
At the Grosse Pointe Public Library's Central Library, 10 Kercheval Ave, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236.
help_outlineDoes it cost anything to borrow tools?
No. Tools are loaned free with your library card.
help_outlineHow long can I keep a tool?
Tools have a 7-day loan period. Overdue tools are fined $1.00 per day.
help_outlineWho can get a library card?
Residents of the Grosse Pointe Public School System area and Harper Woods, and people who work at least 20 hours a week in the library district, get a free card. Other non-residents can buy a card for $200 a year.
help_outlineWhat tools are in the collection?
The July 2026 catalog includes items such as drills, hammer drills, saws, sanders, clamps, rototillers, rakes and shovels. The full list with photos is a PDF on the library's tool collection page.
help_outlineHow old is the collection?
It started in fall 1943 as a project of the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club's Boys' Work Committee and is now supported by the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club Foundation.
help_outlineWhen is the Central Library open?
Winter hours are Sunday 1-5 PM, Monday-Thursday 9 AM-9 PM, and Friday and Saturday 9 AM-5 PM.
Tools are borrowed. These you own.
Safety gear, consumables, and basics that Grosse Pointe Public Library: Tool Collection 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Lansing Public Library | East Lansing, MI | 84 mi | star4.7 | Free |
| Wayne County Public Library: Library of Things | Wooster, OH | 121 mi | — | Wayne County patrons with a library card and PIN |
| Garden Resource Center: Tool Library & Supply Depot (GRC) | Pittsburgh, PA | 205 mi | — | From $30 |
| Traverse Area District Library: East Bay Branch Tool Library | Traverse City, MI | 208 mi | — | Library card |
| Louisville Tool Library | Louisville, KY | 324 mi | star5.0 | sliding scale donation |
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