A new resource aimed at empowering residents, promoting sustainability, and fostering community connections is coming to Park Forest. The Village plans to launch a Tool Lending Library as early as August, providing residents with free access to a variety of home and garden tools.
The library will be located in the Discovery Center Room, within the same building as the Park Forest Aqua Center, 30 North Orchard Drive. It is expected to open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. This initiative, which has been in the works for years, is part of the Village’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan and is being led by the Sustainability Office and the Environment Commission.
Sustainability Coordinator Carrie Malfeo stated that while the idea has long been supported by the community, it faced delays due to difficulties in building a reliable team of volunteers to operate the library.
“The main challenge we've encountered is obtaining volunteers, as this will be a volunteer-based project, and we want it to be sustainable,” Malfeo said. “We could use some more volunteers. We have a good base, and it’s looking promising that we’ll be able to launch next month.”
Informational training sessions for volunteers are already underway at the library’s location. Malfeo noted that the team is currently assessing interest and commitment levels in preparation for the opening day.
The initial collection of tools, funded several years ago by the Park Forest Sustainability Office and the Park Forest Environment Commission, includes a starter kit of commonly used home and garden items. Although the library will eventually accept donations of new or gently used tools, the program is expected to grow gradually.
“This will be an organic growth process,” Malfeo explained.
The Tool Lending Library offers numerous benefits to the community, including providing affordable access to equipment, reducing waste, and strengthening neighborhood ties. By making tools accessible to all residents—especially those who may not be able to afford them—the program supports both economic and environmental sustainability.
“A tool lending library is essential for a community because it offers affordable access to tools, reduces waste, and fosters community building,” Malfeo said. “It empowers residents to undertake home improvement and other projects, promotes resource sharing, and strengthens social connections.”
The Village encourages residents interested in volunteering or learning more to reach out to the Park Forest Sustainability Office, by calling 708-503-9372, ahead of the August launch.