TOOL LENDING LIBRARY

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.

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 to create your account and make a reservation.

    • Create an account or log in. You will be asked to sign user agreements upon account creation.

    • Choose from available tools in the “inventory” tab.

    • Select when to pick up and return your tools. There is a $5 per tool flat fee, and tools may be reserved for up to one week.

    • Add tools to your cart.

    • Once you have chosen all of your tools, navigate to your cart to submit your reservation. You will be asked to put a card on file for incidental expenses, but your card will not be charged.

  • Step 2

    Come to Solana Center during our open hours on the pickup date you selected. Check-in with Solana Center staff, who will direct you to your rented items. You can choose to pay with your card on file or via cash or check.

  • Step 3

    Tools are due back on the date you requested, but they may be renewed for one additional week if there are no pending requests. Please check in with Solana Center staff, who will verify your return.

    • To renew your rental, please call (760) 436-7986 x700. Your card on file will be charged for the additional week at $5 per tool.

    • Failure to renew after 1 week will accrue a $1 per tool per day late fee until returned. If tools are returned damaged, there is a $30 tool damage fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to add my credit card if I want to pay by cash or check at pick up?

Yes, you will be asked to put a card on file for incidental expenses, but your card will not be charged. You can choose to pay via cash, credit or check at tool pickup. All renewal fees will be charged to the card on file.

Do I need to sign all agreements if I only want to rent Tools?

Yes, please sign all agreements when you create your account. This will enable you to seamlessly take advantage of the many rental programs our Climate Solutions Hub offers.

“The Solana Center Tool Library is a wonderful community resource. It’s great to be able to borrow a tool that you might only need once. It saves money and it reduces the waste of buying tools that sit unused 99% of the time.”

—  Dean Case, Carlsbad

Interested in donating tools to our library?

People planting and tending to small vegetable plants in a garden bed.

We gladly welcome tools in fair/good minimum condition! Contact tool.library@solanacenter.org with a list of tools and photos to coordinate.

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 materials

  • 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/