Linlithgow Tool Library

Linlithgow Tool Library, Linlithgow Repair Shop and Linlithgow Shed are constantly being offered items for us to hire out, to sell or to repair and sell. Power tools, garden electrical, vacuum cleaners, spanners, toasters, old light switches, taps, etc.

We greatly appreciate all offers, but we have to limit what we accept for several reasons.

- we simply don’t have space to store everything offered.
- not everything sells we end up with a cost to recycle as WLC won’t let charities use the recycling centres for free like householders.
- battery powered appliances that are not working because the battery won’t hold a charge are unprofitable. We would need to by a battery that could cost approx £80-£130.
- tools with missing essential parts. Can be costly, time consuming to find parts and limit any potential for profit.

If space is not an issue, and the item being offered is in good condition and just needs a low cost, simple repair like a new power cable or blade sharpened then it’s possible we might accept it.

Our priority is to see if the item is of use within the Tool Library or if Linlithgow Shed needs a specific tool for their workshop. Failing that we put it into a tool sale to help cover costs. In all cases, items have to be in good working, free of defects and at worst need a simple low cost repair.

So please contact us if you wish to donate something, but be prepared for us to decline an offer.

Thank you for your support and appreciation of the limits of what we can accept.

Hope everyone has a great day at the Marches. We will reopen on Friday normal times.

If you’ve used our inventory to make an arch or float, why not send us a photo and a story. We’d love to hear what you do with all the stock we have. Help us understand the benefit we bring to our community.

We love how popular and beneficial our Tool Library is to all our members and appreciate our volunteers who make it possible.

It can be a little bit of a challenge during busy periods. Volunteers are processing your order but also doing others, receiving early and overdue returns, performing maintenance, PAT testing, repairs, administration, finances and much more. Sometimes we get things wrong, like forgetting a battery or not updating the description of an item on the system, etc.

The reality is that the tool library works optimally with good partnership and understanding of the process. To that end it is apparent to us that a few may have missed the guidance on what times to hire and when to return. We apologies if it’s not clear and remind you.
This guidance is on the website, the membership agreement and we have enhanced our automated emails just to clarify.

HIRES
Please note that we require time to prepare tool reservations. Please Order before 1pm on Sunday for Monday pickup, before 1pm on Monday for Tuesday pickup or 1pm on Thursday for Friday pickup. Late reservations will be honoured where possible.

RETURNS
Please return the hired items as early as you can.
If you return on a Monday or Friday please try to do so between 9:00am and 9:30am.
If you return on a Tuesday please try to do so between 5:00pm and 5:30pm.

We will always try and be flexible as things crop up, parking is a challenge, etc.

Can you spare an hour later in the month to help with our research? All details below

We need you for our focus groups!

LCDT is currently hosting a student conducting research into our Share and Repair projects. Part of this is gathering thoughts and experiences from our community in focus groups which will be taking place later this month. We are looking for local people to sign up to the groups (tea, coffee, snacks and a £5 voucher will be offered as a thank you for taking part).

P.S. Don't worry if you don't know anything about share and repair yet - we're looking for both people who are already involved and those who aren't!

You can find the form here to register your interest https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=sAafLmkWiUWHiRCgaTTcYViNDqiEevtKpwJ3QBhFUZ9UNExKV0xMWEtZSkY5REZBTTM2RzhDMEI2VS4u

Just a reminder that the Tool Library will be closed on Tuesday 16th June.

It’s Marches Day and time for our volunteers to have time off and to celebrate with their friends and family.

We were delighted to welcome a group of researchers yesterday from all over the UK who are looking at energy efficiency in communities and how tool libraries can support that. Have you made any energy upgrades or improvements in your home recently?

Repair & Share Foyle Walthamstow Tool Library Benthyg Cymru The Edinburgh Tool Library

Linlithgow Tool Library will be open over the Easter Weekend but we might be working with fewer volunteers.

Our volunteers have been busy looking at stock levels and consumables with a view to sell on some items that are never being hired and also to ensure there’s at least a few blades and bits with each item. This will take time to check as we have a large inventory.

Garden Tools are popular right now as the weather improves. Please make sure all tools are clean when returned to help us keen the whole LCDT Hub clean and also to speed up turnaround time. Especially tools that have been in the soil or cutting grass, etc.

We’ve replaced our rolling lawn aerator as the old one was well worn. Hopefully the new one will last us many years of use.

We will reopen for hires on Monday 5th January at our usual time.

Our volunteers are busy enjoying a well earned break and will be looking forward to helping to meet you in the new year.

If you would like to volunteer please contact us. With more volunteers, we share their skills workload and can also consider additional opening hours.
If you would like to sign up as a member or to gift a membership then vouchers and sign up forms are available on our website,

If we don’t stock the sorts of things you wish to hire, please let us know. We are constantly reviewing, replacing and updating our stock with new and good quality donated items.

Last Tool Library session for 2025 is tomorrow 19th Dec.

We have a lot of items to be returned, checked and stored as well as items going out over the festive holidays.

Please return all items as early as possible (say 9-10am) and collect from (10-11am) to help us manage the volume of orders and also give us time to tidy up before we close.

Thank you and Merry Christmas to all.

Some great ideas for Christmas gifts, including a voucher for our Tool Library! Available until this Friday, give someone the gift of a whole year of access to tools 🛠️🎄