Boost Your DIY Home and Garden Projects
Are you ready to transform your home and garden projects from to-do to done? Whether you're planting new roots in Temple or your family tree has deep, local branches, the Tool Library is a free resource that can help make quicker work of home and lawn maintenance.
Temple is one of small number of Texas cities to offer a treasure trove of tools and equipment for use at no charge, courtesy of an innovative partnership between Temple Public Library and Transform Temple. Tools are available that can help you with precision carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work, and with jobs that require hand and power tools, plus everything you need for creating that dream garden or landscape – it's all here, and it's all free.
Originally founded as a way to help renters and homeowners avoid tall grass, rubbish, and other city code violations, this collection has become a vital resource for area residents, not only beautify their own homes and lawns, but to truly transform their neighborhoods.
| April 13 | 2 - 4PM Home Maintenance Academy is brought to you by the City of Temple's Neighborhood Revitalization manager, a division of Housing and Community Development. In this program, you will learn how to make simple repairs on your home including drywall, electrical, and plumbing. This free event is for ages 18+ and will include hands-on learning aids. Registration is required. To register, visit bit.ly/TPLAdultRegistration. |
If you have a job–no matter how small or large–around the house, but don’t want to sink hundreds of dollars into tools you may only use once, consider borrowing it from the Tool Library. For home maintenance, borrowers can check out everything from screwdrivers to drywall sanders, with lots of ladders, drills, and pliers in between – even a tape measure to hang those pictures perfectly on your walls. If you want to manicure your lawn or kickstart your spring gardening work, you can borrow mowers, weedeaters, leaf blowers, hedge and tree trimmers, and much more. Don’t forget to pick up free seed packets at the Temple Public Library for planting. And, you can sign up to volunteer with the City of Temple to help your neighbors through the I’m a Good Neighbor Program.
How the Tool Library Works
The Tool Library provides residents with necessary resources for home repairs and modifications through a no-cost membership. Reserving tools is easy:
- Start here to read about the library and to register as a member by completing the online application and providing a photo ID. The Temple Tool Library Policies must be read and accepted before tools can be reserved. Users must be 18 or older, a Temple resident, and must have a valid Temple Public Library card.
- Search the list of available tools.
- Call the Transform Temple office at 254-298-5670 at 24-hours in advance to reserve tools. Tools can be borrowed for up to 7 days. Tools requested before noon the day prior will be available for pick-up as early as the following morning at the Transform Temple office located at 101 N. Main Street in the historic Post Office. Those who may require assistance loading/unloading the tools may let staff know when making the reservation.
Have questions? Call Transform Temple at 254-298-5670.
by Elizabeth Page, Assistant Director of Libraries and Museums