FAQ
+ How do I find you?
We are located in the underground car park at East Brunswick Village. Our tool room is a little bit out of the way, so we have created two videos so you can easily see where to find us. Click here if you are arriving by car or bike, or here if you are arriving on foot.
+ How do I set up my account?
FOR EXISTING MEMBERS:
If you've ever had a Tool Library membership, you already have an account, even if your membership is expired.
- Click here to find out your username and create or reset your password.
- Contact us if you can't get into your account or don't have access to the email you used to create it.
Please don't make a new account!
Check your inbox for the confirmation email. This email has information on how to finish setting up your membership.
Once you have made your payment you can book your first tool pickup or delivery immediately, you don't need to wait for us to confirm your membership. However, you won't be able to check out your tools until you've paid for your membership and provided your ID and concessions (you can show these in person on your first visit/pickup). You can also pay in person at the tool library at the time of pickup.
+ How do I reserve tools?
You can reserve tools online through our website with your myTurn account, which all our members have. Find out how to set up your account above.
Give yourself the best chance of getting the tools you want by booking well before the day you want to collect them. The earlier you book, the more time volunteers can have to approve your reservation (and more likely they will be available).
To reserve tools:
- Browse the library by category or using the search bar.
- Click the Cart icon to start reserving tools.
- Click the ‘Reserve’ button, once you’ve found the tools you want to borrow.
- Select the date you’d like to reserve the tools for.
- Once you’ve finished adding tools to your cart, click on the cart icon, double check your order, and choose either pickup or delivery, making sure you include your address and contact number in the reservation notes for deliveries.
*You can only book tools for a week at a time. This is to keep tools in circulation for everyone to borrow.
+ WHAT IF I WANT TO COLLECT ANOTHER TOOL ON A DAY I ALREADY HAVE A RESERVATION or if I want to change my pickup date?
Edit your current reservation here. Please don’t make a second reservation for the same day.
+ WHAT IF I don't want my reserved tool anymore?
Cancel or Edit your current reservation here. This lets us know the tools are available for another member to use.
+ WHAT IF A TOOL IS UNAVAILABLE?
If a tool is unavailable because it has been lost or damaged, our volunteers will do their best to find you a suitable replacement. If we can’t find a replacement, we’ll contact you before we move forward.
If you can't find a tool you want in our library, or you think we should buy some more of a certain tool, you can let us know via our suggestion form.
+ I requested a delivery. When will my tools arrive?
Our volunteers will try to deliver your requested items using our cargo e-bike (provided by the Victorian Zero Emissions Vehicles Grant).
Deliveries are based on volunteer availability, so we'll confirm with you via email whether we're able to deliver, and set up a time with you. Make sure you’re home to accept your tools when we arrive.
+ WHAT IF I CAN’T RESERVE TOOLS?
You need to confirm your email before you can make a reservation.
- Login to your account.
- View your account details by clicking on your name, then Account.
- Under Personal Info, check your email address and click resend confirmation. (If you can’t see your email, make sure you’re in the ‘Primary Info’ tab.)
- Check your email and click the button to confirm your email.
You may also find that tools show "Available Now" but are not reservable. Please check the reservation calendar on the tool's page as another member may already have the item reserved for the dates you selected.
Contact us if you still can’t reserve tools.
+ Can I reserve items on the same day that they're due back?
No. BTL has a buffer day between returns and reservations to allow members to return items without stress and for our volunteers to perform regular maintenance. If a tool you have reserved is overdue, our volunteers will text the returning member to remind them to return the item ASAP and text you to alert you there may be a delay in borrowing the tool. You can also check the inventory system before you come to the library to make sure the tools you've reserved have been returned.
+ Can I renew a loan?
You can renew your loans by viewing your loans here. For power tools, you can renew for 1 extra week. For hand tools and others, you can renew for 2 extra weeks. If another member has reserved one of the tools you have, you won't be able to renew and we ask that you return the tools on or before the due date to avoid inconveniencing other members. Contact us at btl@brunswicktoollibrary.org if you have trouble.
+ Can I borrow a tool for longer than a week?
You can ask the volunteer on duty about booking a longer loan period. Whether or not a longer loan is available is based on availability and demand.
+ What if I damage a tool?
First, let us know.
Second, we want to get the tool (or a replacement) back into the library ASAP. If the damage happened during your use of the tool, we'll ask you to pay us the repair or replacement cost of the tool, consistent with our Borrowing Rules. Check your receipt for the replacement cost on the tool you've borrowed.
+ Can my partner / housemate / friend use tools I borrow?
No. If anything happens to anyone using tools borrowed under your name, you are liable. In joining the Tool Library you signed a deed of release that relieves Brunswick Tool Library of responsibility if you or others injure yourselves using the tools.
+ Can my partner / housemate / friend check out tools using my membership?
No. Your membership is only valid for you. If your partner / housemate / friend wants to borrow tools, encourage them to become a member.
+ Can I donate tools instead of paying for membership?
Because we rely on membership fees to stay open, we can't accept tool donations instead of membership fees. We work to keep fees as low as possible and offer concessions for a broad range of circumstances.
If you want to donate your time to help the library, you can become a regular volunteer, support your local community, AND get access to a whole range of tools.
+ Why have I incurred a late fee?
We charge a small late fee, listed below, for overdue returns as an incentive for members to bring tools back on time and keep tools in circulation. If you can’t return a tool on time, we can help – check out information on renewals above.
Hand tools - $0.50 per day*
Power tools - $1.50 per day*
*Late fees will be charged for each day we’re open (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, three charges per week)
+ What if I can't afford to pay my late fee?
Late fees aren’t income, they’re incentives to keep our tools circulating, which keeps our members happy. We’re flexible with fine repayment, so come in and talk to our friendly library volunteers to work something out. You can also pay your late fee on your next visit. Note, however, that consistent late returns may result in restricted borrowing privileges. In future, renew your tools here.
+ Do you have consumables / spare parts for each tool? (e.g. drill bits, cutting disks, whipper-snipper cord, etc.)
We stock a small number of consumables for sale, including sandpaper sheets, sandpaper discs, jigsaw blades, reciprocating saw blades, and angle grinder discs. If you have any ideas of what we should stock, let us know.
+ Are the tools safe to use?
All our electrical goods are regularly tested and tagged, and our Maintenance volunteers work weekly to clean, repair, and maintain our tools.
We do rely on you, our members, to:
- Know what you’re doing when you use a tool and wear appropriate safety gear. Our librarians are happy to offer advice and direct you to resources, but we’re not experts in every tool.
- Let us know if a tool isn’t operating properly, or if you’re unsure of how to use it safely. If unsure, please stop using the tool and let us know ASAP, your safety takes precedence over project completion.
+ Are there any instructions for the tools?
Many of our tools have instructions and details in their inventory record. Check the tool's page in the library by entering its tool number in the search field. If you don't find anything there, try searching the tool's name on Google or Youtube. If you do find an amazing manual or video, please let us know! We can add it to our library for future borrowers to use.