Morse Institute Library: Library of Things
location_onNatick, Massachusetts
infoAbout Morse Institute Library: Library of Things
The Library of Things is a public library collection at the Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street in Natick, Massachusetts, borrowed with a Minuteman library card. The library's page reads: "Minuteman patrons with no outstanding fines above $100 can reserve and borrow a Thing."
Borrowing
Things are checked out from and returned to the Main Desk of the Morse Institute Library during regular hours; they may not go in return bins or to another library. Every borrower signs a Lending Agreement before the first checkout, with a parent or guardian signature for patrons under 18. Loans are 2 weeks and cannot be renewed, and items can only be placed on local holds. Availability is checked in the catalog. The library says the collection is supported in part by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
What You Can Borrow
Home Things include a 20V drill driver kit, an 85-piece socket set, a homeowner's 65-piece tool kit, a Stanley tool set, a hammer and crowbar set, a torque wrench, bolt cutters, a plumbing kit with a hacksaw and pipe wrench, a drywall kit, clamps, woodworking planes, a stud finder, a self-leveling cross-line laser, a digital level and a car battery analyzer. Outside Things include a pressure washer, a rotary cultivator, a lawn thatching rake, a bulb planter, two gardening tool kits with pruners and trowels, and a bicycle repair kit and stand.
Hours
helpFrequently Asked Questions
help_outlineWho can borrow from the Morse Library of Things?
Minuteman patrons with no outstanding fines above $100. Patrons under 18 need a parent or guardian signature on the Lending Agreement.
help_outlineWhat tools can I borrow?
Examples include a 20V drill driver kit, an 85-piece socket set, a torque wrench, a stud finder, a laser level, a plumbing kit, a pressure washer, a rotary cultivator and gardening tool kits.
help_outlineHow long is the loan?
2 weeks. Things cannot be renewed.
help_outlineWhere do I pick up and return Things?
At the Main Desk of the Morse Institute Library during regular hours, not in return bins or at another library.
help_outlineHow do I check availability?
Through the library catalog; Things can only be placed on local holds.
help_outlineWhen is the library open?
Monday-Thursday 9 am-9 pm, Friday 9 am-6 pm, Saturday 9 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm.
Tools are borrowed. These you own.
Safety gear, consumables, and basics that Morse Institute Library: Library of Things 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needham Free Public Library: Library of Things | Needham, MA | 6 mi | — | Valid Minuteman Library Network card in good standing |
| Boston Public Library | Boston, MA | 14 mi | star4.8 | Free |
| Brooks Memorial Library: Field to Fork Tool Cottage | Brattleboro, VT | 73 mi | — | Library cardholders |
| South Portland Electric Tool Library (SPETL) | South Portland, ME | 106 mi | — | Free for South Portland residents over 18 with a South Portland Public Library card |
| Portland Maine Tool Library | Portland, ME | 110 mi | star5.0 | 25 |
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