Kenton County Public Library: Empower Tools
location_onCovington, Kentucky
infoAbout Kenton County Public Library: Empower Tools
Empower Tools is the Kenton County Public Library's tool lending program, run with the Center for Great Neighborhoods. The library describes it as "A tool lending service, supported by KCPL and the Center for Great Neighborhoods." Tools are lent from an offsite shop at 321 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (also known as 12th Street) in Covington, inside the Hellmann Creative Center, not at a library branch.
Membership
Borrowers need a current Kenton County Public Library card. KCPL cardholders 18 and older with full-access accounts in good standing and verified Empower Tools information can borrow. To register, come to the shop during open hours with a valid ID and a cell phone, and sign a Borrower's Agreement that lasts a year.
Borrowing
You can check out up to 3 items for 7 days. Tools cannot be put on hold, reserved or renewed. After 7 days, fines are $5 a day per tool. Tools can be returned to the Empower Tools shop or to the Covington Branch library.
What You Can Borrow
helpFrequently Asked Questions
help_outlineWhere is Empower Tools?
At 321 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (12th St), Covington, KY 41011, inside the Hellmann Creative Center. It is not at a library branch.
help_outlineWhen is Empower Tools open?
Monday 4-7 PM, Wednesday 4-7 PM and Friday 1-6 PM.
help_outlineWho can borrow?
Kenton County Public Library cardholders 18 and older with full-access accounts in good standing and verified Empower Tools information.
help_outlineHow do I register?
Come to the shop during open hours with a valid ID and a cell phone and sign a Borrower's Agreement that lasts the year.
help_outlineHow many tools can I borrow and for how long?
Up to 3 items for 7 days. Fines are $5 a day per tool after that.
help_outlineCan I put a tool on hold or renew it?
No. Empower Tools has no holds, reserves or renewals.
help_outlineWhere can I return tools?
At the Empower Tools shop during open hours, or at the Covington Branch library.
Tools are borrowed. These you own.
Safety gear, consumables, and basics that Kenton County Public Library: Empower Tools 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville Tool Library | Louisville, KY | 88 mi | star5.0 | sliding scale donation |
| The Well CDC | Akron, OH | 211 mi | star4.8 | — |
| E. Warren Tool Library | Detroit, MI | 244 mi | star4.5 | Free |
| East Lansing Public Library | East Lansing, MI | 253 mi | star4.7 | Free |
| Garden Resource Center: Tool Library & Supply Depot (GRC) | Pittsburgh, PA | 262 mi | — | From $30 |
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