The Tool Lending Library is open again. The Tool Lending Library is now open to most of the residence living in the City of Des Moines. Please call John Baker, Tool Lending Library Staff, at 288-5626 x228 with your questions. Thank you.
NFC offers its Tool Lending Library to eligible individual home owners and groups with home repair and maintenance needs. For a modest annual fee, members can borrow tools and receive technical assistance for a variety of projects. Hours for the Tool Lending Library are 4:30PM to 7:00PM Monday thru Friday and 9:00AM to 12:00PM on Saturdays. The Tool Lending Library is closed on Sunday and most Federal holidays.
This program is partially funded with Community Development Block Grant funds and is included in the City of Des Moines' HUD Consolidated Plan developed with recommendations made by the City's Neighborhood Revitalization Board. In addition, NFC recently received a $5,000 grant from the Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. in support of this program.
We have an extensive variety of tools available for checkout with your Tool Lending Library Membership. An annual membership fee dependent on income will be either $25, $50, or $100 (for an individual membership) and includes unlimited use of any tools, equipment, books or videos in the Tool Lending Library, and tool use consultations to ensure your safety.
Various membership categories are available to individuals and non-profit organizations who own and work on property in NFC neighborhoods. Obtaining a membership is simple. Please call John Baker, Tool Lending Library Staff at 288-5626 ext. 228 to discuss membership, or review our guidelines below. Applications are available at our NFC office. We look forward to seeing you soon!
How To Become A Member
Pick up an application, complete it and return to NFC with:
- Photo ID
- Current Utility Bill
- Copy of last year’s Income Tax Filings
- Depends on income: fee will be $25, $50, or $100
- Non-profit organization fee will be $100
Click here for our Tool Lending Library Operating Policies and Application.
Membership Requirements
Must meet one of the following:
- Owner-occupied single-family homeowners in the City of Des Moines qualify
- Non-profit organizations
- Religious institutions
- Schools
- City/neighborhood associations
Note: Landlords, renters, contractors and individuals for trade are not eligible.
You Need To Know
Checkout tools for up to three days. Tools are available on a first come, first served basis. Tools require deposits--the minimum deposit is $25. Deposits are refunded when the tool is returned in the same condition as it left the Tool Lending Library.
If we don’t have it, please ask. We will try to get what you need.
Below is a current tool list for NFC’s Tool Lending Library. NFC does not guarantee the availability of any tool at any given time. This Tool Lending Library list is updated periodically and subject to change without notice. For the most current information about tools and availability, please call John Baker, Tool Lending Library Staff at 288-5626 ext. 228.
Appliance dollies
Belt and Orbital Sanders
Cement Mixer
Cordless Drills
Drywall Lift
Drywall Sander
Drywall Taping & Finishing Kit
Floor Sanders
Grinders
Hand Sander
Handsaws
Hand tools for Gardening
Hedge Trimmers (electric and hand)
Hedge Cutters
Jackhammer
Jig Saw
Ladders (6’, 8’, 14’, 20’, 40’)
Ladder Jacks
Lawn Mowers (Gas)
Leaf Blower
Loading Ramps
Miter Saw
Paint Sprayer
Pitchforks
Pick Axes
Pole Tree Trimmer
Posthole diggers (power and manual)
Power Drills
Power Saws (not chain saws)
Power Washer
Rakes
Reciprocating Saw
Roto tillers
Router
Scaffolding (indoor and outdoor)
Seed Spreaders
Shovels
Tapper
Texture Sprayers
Tile Saw
Tree Trimmer (hand)
Wallpaper Steamer
Weed Trimmers (gas)
Wet/Dry Vacuum
Wheel Barrels
Wood Chippers
Just to name some!
Buy It. Fix It. Love It.™ The Tool Lending Library and our Tool Lending Library program are part of the "Buy It. Fix It. Love It."™ brand of services provided by NFC.