Supporting San Diego County residents with their home, school, and community garden projects
Our Tool Lending Library offers a low cost, zero waste solution for San Diego County residents who need tools to support home, school, and community garden projects. Gardens are an important part of healthy, sustainable communities. Our lending shed includes a variety of household and garden tools, from basic garden spades and pruning tools to a post-hole digger and a long-handled fruit picker.
View the full list of tools and read the rental procedures below to check out the tools.
How to borrow tools from the Tool Lending Library
Getting started with your garden project is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Thank you for participating in our program and encouraging a low-waste circular system of renting instead of buying.
Step 1
Visit the Tool Lending Library rental system
- Create an account.
- Sign all agreements.
- View and choose from available tools
- Select when to pick up and return your tools.
- $5 per tool flat fee for all tools x 1 week
- Tools are due back within 1 week, but they may be renewed for one additional week if there are no holds. Please renew your tool reservation in the MyTurn system.
Step 2
After receiving confirmation from Solana Center that your rental materials are available and ready, come to Solana Center during our open hours. Check-in with Solana Center staff, who will direct you to your rented items.
Step 3
Tools are due back within 1 week, but may be renewed for one additional week if there are no pending requests. Please renew your retnal via MyTurn. Return your tools during our open hours. Please check in with Solana Center staff, who will verify your return.
- Fail to renew after 1 week, a $1/day late fee until returned
- $30 tool damage fee (per tool)
FAQ
How do I make a reservation?
Do I need to add my credit card if I want to pay by cash or check at pick up?
Yes you need a card on file even if you pay by cash or check during pick up.
Do I need to sign all agreements if I only want to rent Tools?
Yes, please sign all agreements when you create your account.
Interested in donating garden tools to our library?
We gladly welcome garden tools in fair/good minimum condition! Contact tool.library@solanacenter.org to coordinate or stop by during store hours to drop them off.
Please note, we can NOT take the following:
- Broken tools
- Painting equipment
- Rechargeable power tools
- Gasoline powered tools
- Reel push mowers
- Liquids, Adhesives, caulks, paints, or other messy building
- Large items we cannot store or handle easily
Interested in sponsoring our Tool Lending Library?
Our goal is to be able to offer tools free of charge. Please consider a sponsorship or donation to support our mission. Reach out to development@solanacenter.org to learn more.
Or visit: https://solanacenter.org/donate/