home and garden A GREAT FREE RESOURCE FOR GARDENERS
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id you know you could borrow a weed wacker or a rototiller for free? Yes, it’s true, for free. In 2021, a partnership between Green Neighbors DC and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation’s created a lending library for garden tools, power tools, and even some camping equipment. All you need is to show a DC driver’s license or proof of DC residence, fill out a form and you are ready to go. The tool library is one of about 50 around the country. Berkeley, California opened one in 1979 that leant wrenches and caulking guns. It is managed by the city public library system. Other cities with tool libraries include Baltimore, Chicago, Seattle, Atlanta, and Denver.
Rototillers, wheelbarrows, and other big equipment garden tools can be borrowed for a week to help you clear your garden plot or yard.
article and photos by Rindy O’Brien
Twin Oaks Location At the corner of 14th Street and Taylor Streets, NW, sits the Twin Oaks community garden, greenhouse, power tool shed and garden shed. There are picnic tables and grills for the community to use. It is clear the garden is a hub for people in this part of DC, but it also is bustling with younger residents from other parts of the city there to borrow some equipment for their home renovation projects. There is a synergy of gardeners and DIYers working to build and make DC better by sharing knowledge and tools. Deborah Broderson is a volunteer at the Tool Library and on the Sunday I visited she had just completed training two new volunteers. Deborah’s title is “tool librarian.” Currently there are over 200 active users borrowing tools. In the past few months, new borrowers have been signing up at a rapid rate. To keep all this going, Annette Olson, of Green Neighbors DC, one of the original members, says they have Volunteers help manage the Tool Library that is open March through November each year. Deborah Broderson is one of about 11 on-call librarians and the lead staffer, the Tool Librarians and assists in training new volunteers. Josh Singer from DC Parks and Recreation. “But as we grow and word spreads,” says Annette, “we will have to grow with it.” Putting a What is Available? tool library in another part of town is one long-range Deborah says her favorite items to check out so far goal of the group. has been the solar oven that she and her family used From Capitol Hill, the tool library is about a to cook pizza. Her kids have also enjoyed the snow 25-minute drive and it’s on major bus routes. The cone machine. garden share program is open from March through The s’mores maker is also very popular. The November. Hours are posted on the website and are collection includes one gadget I had never hears evolving. Generally, folks check out their tools for one of—a nut gatherer that looks like a lacrosse stick week, but “that time can be extended if there is no with an enclosed net. Deborah says someone reone else looking to use the equipment,” says Debocently took it out and thought it was the best thing rah. Failure to return the tool on time results in a one for gathering walnuts. dollar a day late fee. You are charged for each day late A full list of equipment is available at the Deuntil it reaches its approximate value. Currently respartment of Parks and Recreation website, https:// ervations must be made in advance to use the equipdpr.dc.gov/service/garden-tool-share-program. If ment, but that is easily done online. you have a weekend project to reconfigure your June 2022 ★ 91
