Volunteer with us

We're 100% volunteer run — every hour the doors are open, a neighbor is making it happen. There are four roles, and they ask for different things. Read them honestly, pick the ones that fit, and tell us about yourself.

New volunteers start as a Tool Advisor / Member Assistance or Repair Technician. Cashier and Shift Manager come later — they involve the cash drawer and the keys, so we want a few shifts together first.

Tell us about yourself and which roles interest you. We review every application and get back to you within 48 hours.

The four roles

Tool Advisor / Member Assistance

Help members find the right tool for their project and show them how to use it safely.

What you'd do

  • Talk with members about their projects and point them to the right tool
  • Explain how a tool works and the safety basics before it leaves the building
  • Help members find items on the shelves and answer catalog questions
  • Reshelve returns and flag anything damaged or missing parts

A good fit if…

  • You have hands-on experience with several categories of tools
  • You enjoy talking with strangers and explaining things patiently
  • You're comfortable saying "I don't know, let me find out"

Probably not for you if…

  • You'd rather work quietly on your own — this role is conversation all shift
  • You have never used the kinds of tools members borrow
  • You're uncomfortable telling someone a tool is wrong for their project
Time commitment
One 3–4 hour shift per month minimum. Most advisors do two.
Training
One shadow shift with an experienced advisor, plus our tool safety guides.

Repair Technician

Keep the collection working — diagnose and fix donated and returned tools, and help at Repair Clinic.

What you'd do

  • Test and repair returned and donated tools before they go back on the shelf
  • Sharpen blades and bits, replace cords, and service small engines
  • Decide what is worth repairing and what should be scrapped or sold
  • Work Repair Clinic alongside members fixing their own belongings

A good fit if…

  • You have real repair experience in at least one area
  • You are comfortable working out a problem without instructions
  • You know the limits of your own expertise and stay inside them

Probably not for you if…

  • You want to learn repair from scratch — we cannot teach the fundamentals on shift
  • You would be uncomfortable declining a repair that is outside your skill set
  • You are looking for member-facing work rather than bench work
Time commitment
Flexible. Bench work can happen outside open hours, by arrangement.
Training
Orientation to our bench, parts stock, and disposition process.

Cashier

Run the front desk: memberships, checkouts, returns, and tool-sale purchases on our iPad.

Start in another role first. A few completed shifts as a Tool Advisor or Repair Technician. We get to know you on the floor before you take on the drawer.

What you'd do

  • Process memberships, renewals, and payments on an iPad running Square
  • Check tools in and out in MyTurn and confirm everything came back
  • Handle cash and card payments and reconcile the drawer at close
  • Greet everyone who walks in and route them to the right person

A good fit if…

  • You're careful with numbers and notice when something doesn't add up
  • You can stay friendly and organized when several people need you at once
  • You are comfortable learning a new tablet app

Probably not for you if…

  • Handling other people’s money makes you anxious
  • You'd find a busy front desk stressful rather than fun
  • You can't commit to a consistent shift — the desk can't be left uncovered
Time commitment
One 3–4 hour shift per month minimum, ideally the same slot each time.
Training
A shadow shift plus our Money Handling Procedures guide.

Shift Manager

Run the floor for a shift: open or close the library, lead the volunteers on duty, and make the calls.

Start in another role first. Several completed shifts as a Tool Advisor or Repair Technician. You need to know how the floor runs before you can run it.

What you'd do

  • Open or close the building, including keys, alarm, and cash drawer
  • Direct the volunteers working that shift and cover gaps yourself
  • Make judgment calls on damaged tools, late returns, and unhappy members
  • Escalate anything you cannot resolve and write up what happened

A good fit if…

  • You have led a team, a crew, or a shift before
  • You can make a reasonable decision without a written policy to point at
  • You can commit to a recurring shift so members and volunteers know who is on

Probably not for you if…

  • You are not ready to hold keys and be responsible for the building
  • You would rather not be the person who has to say no to a member
  • Your schedule is unpredictable month to month
Time commitment
A recurring shift, twice a month minimum. This is our most schedule-dependent role.
Training
Open/close training with a current shift manager.

How it works

  1. 1. You send us an application telling us which roles interest you and a bit about your experience.
  2. 2. A member of our volunteer team reviews it and gets back to you within 48 hours.
  3. 3.If it's a good match, we schedule your training shift and send you a link to sign up for shifts.

Questions before you apply? Email applications@toollib.org or call 224-475-0435.