Tool lending libraries spring into action for DIY projects

The chirping of birds, the growling of mowers and the whirring of saws signal the start of the spring-into-action season.

Whether you're building a bird house, feathering your own nest or tilling a garden, area tool lending libraries can help you nail down those projects without drilling a huge hole in your budget.

From hand tools like hammers, wrenches, drills and screwdrivers to deconstruction equipment, circular saws, jigsaws, air compressors, nail guns, floor jacks, floor sanders and painting equipment, all are available through nominal short-term and yearly memberships at the lending libraries at Matthew 25 in Cedar Rapids and the Salvage Barn in Iowa City.

The Cedar Rapids group also has how-to books, tillers, mowers, weed eaters, snowblowers, jackhammers, extension ladders, drywall lifts, texture sprayers, cement mixers and in the basement, a workshop with table saws and other large items not easily transported.

Necessity planted the seeds for the Cedar Rapids lending library.

'It's a result of the flood in 2008,” said Clint Twedt-Ball, Matthew 25's executive director. 'It really started with a church from Michigan. They called us and said they had a Ryder truck full of new tools they wanted to donate so that people who had been flooded out could use them.”

The tool library began in the Hubbard Ice building on the northwest side along the Cedar River, then in 2014, relocated to the Matthew 25 headquarters at 201 Third Ave. SW.

The inventory grew with grants and donations, and while the lending library operated full time in the aftermath of the flood, it's still a hub of activity two days a week, when tool librarian David Mitschelen of Solon is on deck. He keeps tabs on the inventory and upkeep, and noted about 1,000 tools were checked out in the past year.

This new task blends his skill sets, having retired from the library staff at Cedar Rapids Washington High School, and growing up with a dad who 'was always building a house.”

'I'm from the generation that fixed stuff or made it yourself,” he said.

Volunteer groups working in the area and nonprofits who need rakes and tools for cleanup days seek out the library, but Mitschelen also sees young homeowners and house flippers checking out items like floor sanders and tools for renovating or rehabbing houses.

About 30 people have yearly memberships, which range from $48 to $180, depending on income and family size. Others with one-time needs can opt for a $10 weekly membership. An additional $5 fee is attached to tools valued at more than $100.

Randy Borngraeber of Cedar Rapids is one of the frequent fliers the Matthew 25 staff and volunteers know by name. He stopped in on a recent Thursday afternoon to return a jigsaw and check out a chain saw. He found out about the library four years ago, through word-of-mouth, and said it's come in handy as he's been helping his son with various projects, including a second-floor master bed and bath project.

'I get stuff at the tool library all the time,” Borngraeber said. He's used nailers, circular saws and drywall lifts, among other home-improvement items.

'There's so many things here - it's just wonderful,” he said. 'This place gives us the tools that we need to make our community successful. That's what Matthew does in general. ...

If you have the right tool, the job can so go much simpler.”

The Iowa City tool lending library, operated by the Friends of Historic Preservation group, has about 200 tools, and for the past five years, has been housed inside the Salvage Barn at 2401 Scott Blvd. SE, in Iowa City's East Side Recycling Center complex. As with the Matthew 25 inventory, all supplies are neatly arranged and labeled for quick retrieval.

Both facilities accept tool donations from people who typically are cleaning out their garages or downsizing and no longer need the pieces they've accumulated.

The Salvage Barn upped its inventory with a $2,000 grant from the Johnson County Community Foundation, said Heidi Hoffman of Mount Vernon, salvage director at the warehouse, which specializes in historic architectural building materials.

The lending library is a natural fit for the Friends of Historic Preservation's mission.

'It gives members the ability to restore their homes without necessarily having to buy new tools,” said Thorin Peugh of Mechanicsville, a Salvage Barn sales associate and tool librarian.

Memberships start at $25, but 'you can donate as much as you like,” Peugh added, and higher membership levels bring longer check-out periods and other fringe benefits.

Anyone age 18 and older can become a member at either Corridor site. Volunteers also are welcome, to help with organization tasks and equipment maintenance.

The Iowa City footprint is spreading southward to Washington, where the Salvage Barn now offers a tool lending library annex at the historic Mill Seed Co. - another building housing architectural salvage items.

'We're trying to expand outside Johnson County,” Hoffman said, 'not just exclusive to Iowa City.”

Even though spring is a busy time at the lending libraries, they operate year-round. Hoffman said she sees lots of 'weekend warriors” coming in for those DIY projects they can knock out in short order.

'Tools are important to people who need them when they need them,” Matthew 25's Mitschelen said.

Tool lending libraries:

Cedar Rapids

-- What: Matthew 25 Tool Lending Library

-- Where: 201 Third Ave. SW

-- Hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 to 6 p.m. Thursdays

-- Memberships: $48 to $180 per year, depending on income and family size; open to anyone ages 18 and older

-- Rental period: seven days; one day for seasonal items; renewals available; late fee $1 per day

-- Tool donations: Accepted 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday, or by appointment; half-price membership with donation of a power tool in good working condition

-- Information: (319) 362-2214 or matthew-25.org

IOWA CITY

-- What: Salvage Barn & Tool Lending Library

-- Where: 2401 Scott Blvd. SE, at the East Side Recycling Center

-- Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

-- Memberships: $25 basic access, ages 18 and older; more benefits at higher donation levels; Salvagebarn

-- Rental period: One week, renewals available; two weeks at Master Builder, Architect and Lifetime membership levels

-- Tool donations: During regular business hours

-- Operated by: Friends of Historic Preservation

-- Information: (319) 351-1875 or Salvagebarn

WASHINGTON

-- What: Salvage Barn & Tool Lending Library Annex

-- Where: 212 N. Iowa Ave., at the Mills Seed Co. building

-- Hours: By appointment

-- Operated by: Friends of Historic Preservation

-- Information: (319) 430-8536 or (319) 351-1875

l Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com