Ridgewood Public Library: Library of Things
location_onRidgewood, New Jersey
infoAbout Ridgewood Public Library: Library of Things
The Library of Things (LoT) is a public library collection at the Ridgewood Public Library, 125 N. Maple Ave. in Ridgewood, New Jersey, borrowed with a library card. The library's invitation: "Borrow almost anything from our Library of Things (LoT,) including STEM kits, lawn games, hand tools, video equipment, WiFi hotspots and more."
Borrowing
Items may be borrowed by a Ridgewood Public Library or Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS) member in good standing; some items are for Ridgewood members only. Requests are placed online for the dates you plan to pick up and return the item. Loans are two weeks and cannot be renewed. Items are picked up at and returned to the Reference Desk. Overdue fines are $1 per day up to $10.
What You Can Borrow
The online LoT catalog's Home & Garden category lists a hammerdrill and bit set, a power drill set, a power washer, a leaf blower, a Dremel, stud finders, a laser leveler kit, a laser distance measurer, a tool set, a bike repair stand, a car battery charger with jump starter, a car diagnostic tool and a circuit breaker finder kit, plus meters such as a moisture meter and thermal imaging camera.
Hours
helpFrequently Asked Questions
help_outlineWho can borrow from Ridgewood's Library of Things?
Ridgewood Public Library or BCCLS members in good standing. Some items are for Ridgewood members only.
help_outlineWhat tools can I borrow?
The catalog lists a hammerdrill and bit set, a power drill set, a power washer, a leaf blower, a Dremel, stud finders, a laser leveler kit, a tool set and a bike repair stand, among others.
help_outlineHow long is the loan?
Two weeks. LoT loans cannot be renewed.
help_outlineHow do I reserve an item?
Place a request online for the day you plan to pick the item up through the day you plan to return it. Items not picked up within two days are released.
help_outlineWhere do I pick up and return items?
At the Reference Desk. Items may not be returned to another library or in the book drop.
help_outlineWhat are the late fines?
$1 per day up to a maximum of $10 (hotspots are $2 per day up to $20).
Tools are borrowed. These you own.
Safety gear, consumables, and basics that Ridgewood Public 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maplewood Library: Library of Things | Maplewood, NJ | 20 mi | — | Valid adult resident Maplewood Library card |
| Summit Free Public Library: Library of Things | Summit, NJ | 23 mi | — | Available to Summit residents 17 and over, paid members, and those employed in Summit |
| West Philly Tool Library | Philadelphia, PA | 92 mi | star4.7 | $20/year (sliding scale) |
| Tool Library Albany | Albany, NY | 117 mi | star5.0 | 20 |
| Brooks Memorial Library: Field to Fork Tool Cottage | Brattleboro, VT | 152 mi | — | Library cardholders |
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