Introduction. Tool lending libraries are a relative new and under-studied phenomenon in library research. The aim of this paper is to explore how patrons of a tool lending library experience such a library, in order to understand its role for the community members it serves.

Method. Patrons of a tool lending library were interviewed and observations were conducted at the library site.

Analysis. Qualitative analysis with open coding was conducted on the empirical material consisting of transcripts and field notes. A library community model was used as a framework to structure the coded results by the categories of place, collection and people.

Results. Results show that participants themselves would talk about a community of and around the library. While the whole model deals with community, statements about community were mostly collected in the place category as they relate to the geographic and social place of the library. Results further outline how participants experienced the tool lending library’s collection, service, and staff, emphasising its perceived uniqueness.

Conclusion. Participants experienced the tool lending library as intensely social, which was also observed by the researcher. Compared to other libraries, it is seen as less straightforward and requiring more interaction with staff. This was framed by participants as contributing positively to their experiences of using it.