Lebanon County’s first tool library is set to open Sept. 12 in S. Lebanon Township

Sooner or later, all do-it-yourselfers run into a project that requires some unusual tool – a soldering iron, impact wrench, mitre saw, hose clamp pliers – that they’ll likely never need again and have nowhere to store.

While almost any power or hand tool can be bought or rented, there’s rarely a better price than “almost free,” and that will become an option for members of the Central Pennsylvania Tool Library & Makerspace when it officially opens on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The library, at 480 Vine St. in South Lebanon Township, is modeled after traditional book lending libraries and is staffed entirely by volunteers.

According to board president Douglas Etter, $25,000 in seed money for the library came from a state grant received through South Lebanon Township.

Because it is operated by a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, donations of tools and money by community members are tax-deductible.

Annual memberships range from $30 for veterans to $150 for businesses, and there’s a $500 lifetime option. Depending on the tier, members may borrow from 10 to 20 tools weekly.

While new to Lebanon County, the first tool library was formed in 1943 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and is still in operation. Tool libraries are part of the sharing economy and can now be found nationwide and abroad, often in public libraries and makerspaces.

Sharing and reusing tools reduces waste, overconsumption, and environmental impact, proponents say.

“It’s about stewardship, not dumping tools into landfills,” Etter said. “It’s also about people helping one another and learning together. It’s about a commitment to our community.”

Etter hopes to eventually open up the space in the old commercial building to “makers” for a place to work on larger projects.

Grand opening details

The grand opening of the Central Pennsylvania Tool Library & Makerspace will take place at 480 Vine St., Suite 3, on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon. Ribbon-cutting will be held at 9:30 a.m. During the grand opening only, new one-year members will get a second year free, and one lucky raffle participant will win a Lowe’s gift card.

For more information, call 717-345-2412.