Edmonton Tool Library

Edmonton Tool Library

The Edmonton Tool Library is a non-profit organization located in Edmonton, Alberta that makes a wide range of tools available for borrowing to its local community. As a community resource, the Tool Library has the organizational mission of providing affordable accessibility to tools, encouraging "Do it yourself" (DIY) projects and general beautification in the community. Founded in 2016, the Library has an inventory of over 300 handheld and power tools, many of which have been received by the organization as donations. The Edmonton Tool Library is funded through donations, sponsorships, and membership fees paid by its users for access to the organization's tool inventory, and relies on a team of volunteers to maintain the collection. Residents can visit the Edmonton Tool Library at its location in the Bellevue Community League, a community partner that allows the organization access to space for housing its tool inventory.

Organizational Information

History

The Edmonton Tool Library was founded in 2016 by five Edmonton community members, including Stacey Cann and Shannon Leblanc, to address their identified need to provide more affordable options for access to tools, specifically for home renovations. After experiencing the challenges and expenses associated with home renovations when taking on a project in his own residence, co-founder Leslie Bush had the idea to bring a tool library to his community in Edmonton.

Location

The original plan for the Edmonton Tool Library's operation was to open in a location local to Edmonton's downtown area, with the intention of being accessible to the largest population who may not have the physical space to store tools. What transpired was the opening of the Edmonton Tool Library in the Bellevue Community League building. The Bellevue Community League is central to both the Bellevue and Virginia Park neighborhoods, built in the southeast corner of Borden Park. Constructed in 1933, the building hosts a main hall suitable for up to 250 guests, a bonus room featuring a bar and lunge area, and the Edmonton Tool Library.

Operations

Tool libraries operate in a similar fashion to common public libraries. The Edmonton Tool Library draws inspiration from other predecessor organizations that perform the service of loaning tools to their respective communities. Similar tool libraries have been opened in Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver.

The Edmonton Tool Library holds seasonal hours dependent on community demand and volunteer availability. Historically, the organization has been open to the public for an average of four operational hours per week on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, and Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Mountain Standard Time (MST). Expanding the Edmonton Tool Library's opening hours beyond this four-hour average has been a challenge the organization faces. However, in addition to physically visiting the library's space, community members are also able to reserve desired tools online via the Edmonton Tool Library website. Tool Library members may reserve up to eight tools at a time for a weekly time period.

The organization is funded by donations, sponsorships, and membership fees. Many community Leagues in the edmonton area hold memberships. The Tool Library accepts donations in the forms of tools, however, prefers cash donations to acquire items most needed in the Library's inventory. Individual annual memberships for the Edmonton Tool Library are available for 50 Canadian Dollars (CAD). In addition, residents who are Edmonton community league members also receive access to the Tool Library's services.

As a non-profit organization, the Edmonton Tool Library relies on volunteers for its general operations. In addition to managing the Library's inventory, the organization requires a team of volunteers with the abilities to maintain and repair tools when returned by Library members.