St. Louis Library Launches Home Repair Academy
Residents can now attend free maintenance classes and borrow tools for home projects at the Julia Davis Library.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Home Repair
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The St. Louis Public Library has launched the Home Care Academy, offering free home maintenance classes and an expanded tool lending program. St. Louis residents can now access educational workshops and borrow tools to complete household repairs themselves.
Why it matters
A shortage of available contractors has made it increasingly difficult for homeowners to manage repairs, leaving many without the necessary expertise or equipment. This program addresses those gaps by providing professional training and affordable tool access.
Residents over age 18 with a library card can borrow tools for up to 21 days at the Julia Davis Library, located at 4415 Natural Bridge Ave. The next repair workshop is scheduled for November 10, 2026, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The players
St. Louis Public Library
A municipal institution serving city residents through community educational programming and resource lending.
University of Missouri-St. Louis
A public research university partnering to support expanded library community resource collections.
The details
To participate, residents must sign a liability waiver and present their library card at the branch. Tool reservations are handled through the online myTurn portal, while class attendance requires prior online registration. The program, which started following a May 2025 tornado, aims to help homeowners handle basic maintenance tasks independently.
Timeline
May 2025: The Tool Library was established following a tornado.
November 10, 2026: The next Home Care Academy training session takes place from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Home Front
This program marks a shift toward municipal libraries serving as essential hubs for household repair infrastructure and emergency recovery. It follows the pattern of community resilience initiatives established in the wake of the May 2025 tornado.
If you are a St. Louis resident over age 18, visit the myTurn portal to check the availability of specific tools before visiting the Julia Davis Library branch. Be sure to register online in advance if you plan to attend the upcoming November 10 repair workshop.
The takeaway
Empowering yourself with basic maintenance skills can save on hiring costs during periods of contractor shortages. Check your library card status today and visit the Julia Davis Library to reserve the tools you need for your next project.
What happens next
The library plans to evaluate the effectiveness of these pilot training sessions and intends to expand the program to additional branch locations in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local resources for property upkeep in our Home Repair section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Firstalert4.
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Is it a good idea for homeowners to perform basic repairs instead of hiring professional contractors?
