The first known tool lending library was started by the Gross Pointe Rotary Club in [[Grosse Pointe, Michigan|Gross Pointe, Michigan]] in 1943.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Special Collections {{!}} Grosse Pointe Public Library|url=https://grossepointelibrary.org/special-collections|access-date=2021-03-15|website=grossepointelibrary.org|language=en}}</ref>
AnotherIn the late 70s and early 80s, what could be considered the first generation of tool lending libraries got their start. In 1976 a tool lending library was started in [[Columbus, Ohio]]; in 1976. Originallyoriginally run by the city, the tool library is now operated by ModCon Living, a non-profit organization that works to preserve and revitalize homes and communities in Centralcentral Ohio. The ModCon Living Tool Library makes available over 4,500 tools free of charge to both individuals and non-profit organizations.<ref>Weiker, Jim (October 18, 2009). "[http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/home_garden/stories/2009/10/18/6a_WEIK18.ART_ART_10-18-09_H1_SPFC48T.html?sid=101 Tool Library welcomes borrows in Columbus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110327065352/http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/home_garden/stories/2009/10/18/6a_WEIK18.ART_ART_10-18-09_H1_SPFC48T.html?sid=101 |date=2011-03-27 }}." ''[[The Columbus Dispatch]]''.</ref> ThisThe toolPhinney libraryTool Library was amongstarted many in what could be consideredat the first generation of tool libraries—including The [[Phinney Ridge, Seattle|Phinney]] ToolNeighborhood LibraryAssociation (PNA) in north central Seattle in 1978, and Thethe [[Berkeley_Public_Library#Tool_Lending_Library|Berkeley Tool Library]] was started in 1979 in Berkeley, California.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stellin |first1=Susan |title=Library Science, Home Depot Style |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/04/garden/library-science-home-depot-style.html? |access-date=25 February 2021 |work=New York Times |date=4 November 2004}}</ref>—most of which were founded in the late 70s or early 80s. Many of these libraries were started with community block grants.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?archiveDate=08-19-05&storyID=22136 |title= Library Dispenses Tools and Home-Repair Advice |publisher=[[Berkeley Daily Planet]] |date=August 19, 2005}}</ref>
A variation of the tool lending library model exists in [[Atlanta, Georgia]]. At the Atlanta Community [[ToolBank]], the tools are reserved for use only by nonprofits and other community-based organizations who are performing volunteer and facility maintenance projects. The ToolBank tool inventory is not available to individuals.
