Kanawha County Public Library: Tool Lending Library
location_onCharleston, West Virginia
infoAbout Kanawha County Public Library: Tool Lending Library
The Tool Lending Library is a public library collection at Kanawha County Public Library's Main Library, 123 Capitol Street in Charleston, West Virginia, borrowed with a KCPL library card. The library says it "is filled with tools you can borrow with your KCPL Library Card! From hammers to cement mixers, the Tool Library is here to help with all those chores around the house and much more."
What You Can Borrow
The page names hammers and cement mixers, and the online catalog is split into hand tools and power tools. Borrowers may take up to 7 items at once, with a limit of 2 power tools and 5 hand tools.
Borrowing
You must be 18 or older and have or register for a KCPL card. Each time you check out, you sign the Tool Lending Agreement and Waiver and Indemnification Form and have your West Virginia state or federal ID verified by staff. The loan period is 14 days. Items cannot be renewed or reserved for a future date. Place a hold in the online catalog or ask in person at the Charleston Library. Pickup and return are at the Charleston Library only, during open hours, and not at the drive-up window. Items must be checked out 30 minutes before closing.
helpFrequently Asked Questions
help_outlineWho can borrow from the KCPL Tool Lending Library?
Patrons 18 or older with a KCPL library card, who sign the tool lending agreement and waiver and show West Virginia state or federal ID at each checkout.
help_outlineHow many tools can I borrow?
Up to 7 items at a time: no more than 2 power tools and 5 hand tools.
help_outlineHow long is the loan?
14 days. Tools cannot be renewed or reserved for a future date.
help_outlineWhere do I pick up and return tools?
At the Charleston (Main) Library, 123 Capitol Street, during open hours only. Not at the drive-up window and not in the book drop.
help_outlineWhat does a late tool cost?
$1.00 per day, to a maximum of $20.00, with no grace period.
help_outlineWhat kinds of tools are there?
The library names hammers and cement mixers, and its catalog separates hand tools from power tools.
Tools are borrowed. These you own.
Safety gear, consumables, and basics that Kanawha County Public Library: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County Public Library: Library of Things | Wooster, OH | 170 mi | — | Wayne County patrons with a library card and PIN |
| Garden Resource Center: Tool Library & Supply Depot (GRC) | Pittsburgh, PA | 172 mi | — | From $30 |
| Charlotte Community ToolBank | Charlotte, NC | 221 mi | star4.9 | — |
| Louisville Tool Library | Louisville, KY | 223 mi | star5.0 | sliding scale donation |
| Prince William Public Libraries: Library of Things | Manassas, VA | 228 mi | — | Free with a Prince William Public Libraries card |
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