MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- We're all familiar with libraries. You go in and borrow whatever book you want. 

But what if we applied that concept to other things we use?

When you think about it, it makes so much sense.

And it's just what one group is doing in Riverwest at the Milwaukee Tool Library.

"Impact driver, battery charger," library member Greg Ryan said, handing over several tools.  

Ryan is dropping off some returns. And borrowing something new. 

"A corded angle grinder," he said.

And no -- those aren't books, but this is a library. 

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"This is typical Riverwest! People helping each other," said Ryan said with a smile.

Ryan discovered the Milwaukee Tool Library driving down Keefe Avenue and seeing the sign. 

"I thought, this a place I'm really going to enjoy getting to know," he said.

Inside, you'll find all kinds of tools, both small and large. 

"Reciprocating saws, drills. We have weed whackers and mowers," said Meg Zimont.

Zimont is a board member at the library. She also helped organize this space into something that's starting to resemble a hardware store. 

"We want it to be accessible to the public, we want there not to be any financial barriers to people getting what they need," she said.

People in Milwaukee can sign up and borrow what they need. Things they might not have on hand or may only need once. 

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"Ok, I have to put new vinyl screen in and I need something to push the rubber things in, and he said, I don't know what that's called either, but I think we may have one. and sure enough, they had one," Ryan said of a recent borrow.

aryn kresol owns a 130-year-old home in Riverwest and has a lot of projects to do.  

"New member. Brand-new member," kresol said. "I came in, got the orbital sander and then was asked, what else do you need? And so was able to take the electric tiller and used it the next week!"

Zimont said the tool library is here to make home repairs affordable, accessible and sustainable.

"There's so much knowledge available now on the internet and people are feeling really empowered to do their own repairs," she said.

Things here run on donations and volunteers.  

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"I actually think you're standing in front of one of my saws," said Chuck Meyer.

Meyer donated carloads of tools to the library.

"You just don't want it to end up in a landfill. You want to make sure it goes to somebody who can utilize it," he said.

Ryan started as a borrower but has also donated tools.

"I don't want them taking up space in my garage, nor does my wife," he said.

Sharing knowledge.

"Thanks so much," kresol said.

And power tools for projects big and small. 

"I think if you're able to do stuff yourself, you can just stand back and go, 'wow,'" Meyer said.

It's easy to sign up. And the library also has items like lightbulbs and screws that you don't have to return. It's free or pay what you can. For more information, click here. 

If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].