FAQs

Membership / Joining the Toolbox

How do I join?

Tool library membership is open to any resident of the Canberra region who is over 18. You do not need to join to see the inventory.

Join the Toolbox here. Fill out the form, read and agree to the Membership Agreement, Borrowing Terms and Conditions and Deed of Release, submit the form and complete the payment. Your membership will be automatically accepted and you can access your account and reserve items immediately through our MyTurn library platform.

If your settings are for automatic membership renewal, you will be reminded in advance. You can manage your membership yourself from your MyTurn account page.

Is SEE Change membership included?

Yes. As the Toolbox is a SEE Change group, when you join the Toolbox you will also receive a SEE Change membership. Your membership with SEE Change will automatically renew when your Toolbox membership renews.

Please note that our communication channels are separate, so you may need to manage your contact details with SEE Change separately to the Toolbox channels.

Can I buy a gift membership?

Yes! Purchase gift certificates here.

Borrowing

Can I reserve a tool? How?

Yes! Members can use the reservation function in the online MyTurn library platform (learn how here).

When you reserve an item, the following will usually happen:

  1. Reservation confirmation email: You will immediately receive a reservation confirmation.

  2. Ready for pickup email: When the volunteers have your items ready for pickup, we will email you. Please do not come earlier, as the items may not be ready yet - perhaps they haven’t been returned, or perhaps they need some maintenance before we can lend them.

We cannot guarantee the items you have reserved will be available when you have reserved them, as previous borrowers may not have returned them or the item may need maintenance. Please wait for the email saying that all your reserved items are ready for pickup.

If your reservation is requested after the Toolbox shift has begun and you haven’t received the ready for collection email within 30 minutes, call the Toolbox. Sometimes volunteers don’t have the chance to check for new reservations.

What is the Toolbus?

This is a project in development. A mobile service that will take tools and equipment that have been reserved by members on a pre-mapped circuit of the region. Members will meet the bus/van at the appointed time and place to collect and return items. There will be no extra charge for this service. We expect this to launch by mid-2025.

Do you do home delivery?

No, we can't home deliver as we just don't have the person power. However, if you have difficulties accessing our site or need assistance carrying equipment, please contact us or make a note in your online reservation in MyTurn and we can make arrangements to help you at the Toolbox.

What about loss or damage of a tool?

We expect tools to suffer normal wear and tear. In circumstances where damage is beyond normal wear and tear, we may charge you for replacement.

Volunteering

Can I help?

Yes! We are always looking for volunteers. You just need a happy heart and a WWVP registration (or have it under way). For more details and to sign up visit our online volunteer platform.

Can you explain the free membership in more detail?

When a volunteer’s membership comes up for renewal, we will check how many hours you have donated in the preceding 12 months. If it’s 30 or more, we’ll extend the membership by six months. And at the end of that six months, we’ll do it again - even though there is cross-over between the first 12 months and the second.

If a non-member volunteer has put in 30 hours in the current 12 month period, we will set them up with a free six month membership.

How do I sign up for shifts?

It is very simple to manage your own shifts. We use Better Impact to manage our volunteer training, WWVP registrations and shifts. You can sign up for any shift for which you are eligible - and remove yourself up to 24 hours before the shift starts.

What kind of volunteering can I do?

We have several positions in the Toolbox. The main ones are:

  • Toolbox assistant: helping members borrow and return items; helping members find the right tool for the job; processing new donations etc

  • Stock maintenance: making small repairs to items; processing new donations etc (limited contact with members)

  • DIY expert: this requires a thorough working knowledge of making and fixing. The whole job is about talking to members who need advice

  • Toolbox supervisor: just like a Toolbox assistant, but also the holder of knowledge. This position requires at least six months’ experience as a Toolbox assistant, with an excellent working knowledge of our lending software.

Donating

If you have something you’d like to donate, check our Donate page for more details.