St. Louis Public Library: Julia Davis Tool Library
location_onSt. Louis, Missouri
infoAbout St. Louis Public Library: Julia Davis Tool Library
The Julia Davis Tool Library is a St. Louis Public Library collection at Julia Davis Library, 4415 Natural Bridge Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri. The library calls it "a circulating collection of home repair and maintenance equipment designed to support community resilience." It is a public library collection: you borrow from it with a library card, the same way you borrow a book.
Borrowing
Use the myTurn Julia Davis Tool Library portal to view available tools and reserve them. All tools must be picked up from and returned directly to the Julia Davis Library circulation desk, not book drops or other SLPL locations. Tools may be borrowed for up to 21 days, free of charge with your library card.
Membership
Borrowers must be 18 or older, have an SLPL card in good standing, and sign a Borrower Agreement and Liability Waiver before their first checkout.
What You Can Borrow
helpFrequently Asked Questions
help_outlineHow do I reserve a tool?
Use the myTurn Julia Davis Tool Library portal to view and reserve tools.
help_outlineWhere do I pick up and return tools?
Only at the Julia Davis Library circulation desk, 4415 Natural Bridge Avenue.
help_outlineHow long can I borrow a tool?
Up to 21 days.
help_outlineWho can borrow?
Adults 18 and older with an SLPL card in good standing who sign the Borrower Agreement and Liability Waiver.
help_outlineDoes it cost anything?
No. Tools are free with your library card.
help_outlineCan I donate tools?
Not currently. The library can share a list of local organizations that accept tools.
Tools are borrowed. These you own.
Safety gear, consumables, and basics that St. Louis Public Library: Julia Davis Tool 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbondale Tool Library | Carbondale, IL | 85 mi | star5.0 | — |
| Louisville Tool Library | Louisville, KY | 245 mi | star5.0 | sliding scale donation |
| East Lansing Public Library | East Lansing, MI | 412 mi | star4.7 | Free |
| Minnesota Tool Library - St. Paul Branch | St Paul, MN | 460 mi | star4.9 | 25 |
| Wayne County Public Library: Library of Things | Wooster, OH | 464 mi | — | Wayne County patrons with a library card and PIN |
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