The City of Riverside and Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce launched the city's first tool lending library last Friday, allowing residents to check out everything from hammers to hedge trimmers at three library locations.
The Riverside Tool Library, housed at the SSgt. Salvador J. Lara Casa Blanca Library, La Sierra Library and Main Library, aims to make home improvement projects accessible to residents who lack the budget or storage space for specialized tools.
Library card holders can borrow up to two tools at a time for two-week periods, according to Library Director Erin Christmas. The service is free with a library card, which is also free to all community members.
The initiative emerged from the Leadership Riverside Class of 2024, which raised more than $12,000 to transform the concept into reality. Instead of a traditional ribbon cutting, organizers marked the launch by hammering nails into a wooden plank, symbolizing community building.
"We envisioned something that gives our neighbors real, tangible tools — literally — to build a stronger Riverside," said Dr. Mark Long of Leadership Riverside Class of 2024. "Now everyone from first-time homeowners to renters can have the confidence to take on projects that just seemed out of reach before."
Long noted that while Riverside's median family income sits above the national average, high housing costs create financial strain for many homeowners, potentially putting home improvement projects out of reach.
"The cost of the tools and the need to buy specialized tools that you might only use for one time may make that project seem like something not to be done," Long said at the launch event.
Councilmember Sean Mill, a Leadership Riverside Class of 2021 alumnus, praised the collaboration between the Chamber, library system and community donors.
"The tool lending library does more than provide equipment," Mill said. "It empowers residents to learn new skills, maintain and improve their homes, and embrace sustainability and self-reliance."
Christmas emphasized the library's environmental and economic benefits, comparing the tool collection to the library's traditional mission.
"Just like borrowing books, borrowing tools will build skills, confidence, and community," Christmas said. "It's a smart and practical way to support equity, learning and shared resources in our neighborhoods."
The tool collection includes hand tools, power tools and garden equipment. Christmas cited examples like drills needed for five-minute jobs or VHS-to-digital recorders used only once as items that would be wasteful to purchase for single use.
Leadership Riverside Chair Cindy Roth described the project as "an example of leadership in action" that provides "a hand up, building communities one tool at a time."
The Class of 2024 secured donations from multiple sources, including individual donors Kathy Wright and Dwight Tate, Paulette Brown-Hinds, the James Irvine Foundation, the Riverside Police Administrators Association, Cindy and Richard Roth, and the Riverside East Rotary Club.
The launch event drew officials from multiple government offices, including representatives from Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Congressman Mark Takano and Supervisor Jose Medina, who presented certificates of recognition.
More Information: Tool Library Locations: SSgt. Salvador J. Lara Casa Blanca Library, 2985 Madison St.; La Sierra Library, 4600 La Sierra Ave.; Main Library, 3581 Mission Inn Ave. Free library cards are available at riversideca.gov. Residents interested in donating tools or funds can contact any Riverside Public Library location. The tool catalog and borrowing information is available at riversideca.gov.
