Set to open its doors next month, the not-for-profit Ballarat Tool Library will provide a range of tools - from garden, construction, kitchen, woodwork and artist tools for community members to borrow when they require them.

Members will pay a small annual fee, which will allow them to borrow as many tools as they wish to during the year.

The idea for the tool library has been in development for a while now.

When he moved to Ballarat a few years ago, committee member Jay Morrison searched for a tool library to join and discovered that one did not exist. But it was after meeting a group of other community members who also had a desire to see a space from which tools could be borrowed and shared that the idea began to take shape. It has been developed during the last year.

Despite some delays due to coronavirus restrictions, the much anticipated community resource will launch on February 6.

Mr Morrison said the tool library would not only improve sustainability in Ballarat but would also ensure accessibility to tools for everyone in the community.

By reducing the amount of people purchasing tools they may only use once or twice before they are stored to gather dust in their sheds or are disposed of, Mr Morrison said the library would mean a reduction in landfill and would see tools used to their full capacity.

It will also mean everybody in the community - no matter their financial situation or storage capacity - has access to the tools they need to complete tasks around their homes and in their gardens without the need to fork out huge amounts of money to purchase expensive tools or equipment.

"A lot of people...may not be able to afford to buy all of the tools that they need but if they join the library then they can borrow what they need when they need it," he said.

The idea has been well supported by the community, with the volunteers already hosting two successful tool donation drives.

IN OTHER NEWS

"We've got a team of volunteers who go through and check a tool and make sure it's safe to use. If it needs repairing then it's repaired and then catalogued," Mr Morrison said.

While community members have continued to donate tools outside of these donation drives, a third official day will be hosted this Saturday.

"Considering that so many people probably got tools for Christmas, or they're cleaning out their sheds over the summer, we thought it would be good to advertise that we're here and available for you to drop off your tools," he added.

Mr Morrison said the idea of the "sharing economy" was strongly supported in Ballarat and volunteers anticipated the library to grow quickly.

While the library - which will join a number of others dotted around Australia - will boast an array of common and more unique tools, the volunteers understand some, such as pressure washers, will be more commonly sought after.

As a result, the library will launch with a small membership base which will slowly increase over time as membership fees and grant money can be used to purchase additional tools that are proving to be most popular.

The Ballarat Tool Library will partner with BREAZE for its first year, which will incubate the group as it finds its feet.

The donation drive will be hosted on Saturday, January 9 from 10am until 12pm at the tool library's home at 25-39 Barkly Square. Enter via the carpark on Princes Street South. To find out more, visit www.facebook.com/ballarattoollibrary/