Vancouver Tool Library

Vancouver Tool Library and Makerspace
Location	Vancouver, Ontario, Canada
Established	2011
Branches	2
Collection
Size	1725
Access and use
Population served	2,615,060 (2012)
Members	500
Other information
Director	Brian Beaudry
Employees	1
Website	The Vancouver Tool Library

Vancouver Tool Library (VTL) is a Canada’s original tool lending public library system based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Tool libraries loan specialized tools for both experienced and inexperienced community members who are interested in home repair, maintenance, building projects, community projects, gardening and landscaping. The VTL is a Community Service Co-operative registered under the BC Co-operative Act. The VTL offers standard, Student/Low-Income option, and organizational memberships to non-profits and small businesses. The VTL is supported by The City of Vancouver; Mountain Equipment Co-op; The University of British Columbia Student Environment Centre ; Magnet Home Hardware on Commercial Drive; Norco Bikes; Dewalt ;Poco Building Supplies ; Midland Liquidators; The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation ; Tradeworks Training Society; Ten Thousand Villages; Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company and tool donors.

History

Vancouver Tool Library, 2011

In 2011, the VTL was established at 3448 Commercial Street, Vancouver BC. In July 2014, the VTL and MakerLabs established a sattelite location at 196 Kingsway Ave, Vancouver BC.

Governance

The VTL is governed by a Board composed of seven citizen members who are responsible for the strategic planning, financial stability, and oversight of staff and volunteers. The Tool Committee and New Space Committee are used on both a temporary and permanent basis to meet requirements of the organization.

Services

Collections

Vancouver Tool Library, 2011

The library has 1724+ specialized tools from power drills and ladders to pressure washers and roto-tillers to loan to community members with all skill levels welcomed. The inventory of equipment includes bike, carpentry and woodworking, electrical and soldering, home maintenance, ladders, measuring, metalworking, plumbing, remodelling, yard and garden. The types of equipment include: hand tools, power tools, propane & gas power tools, wheelbarrows & wagons.

Training

The Vancouver Tool Library offers affordable workshops open both to Tool Library members and the public on tool related skills and projects. In the Intro to Tools workshop, participants built a planter box; while in Routers 101, attendees created a cutting board.

Mission

Tool library

The Tool library performs the following main tasks:

• Tool Lending: all kinds for use in volunteer projects, facility maintenance and improvement projects, community improvement events, and special events.
• Tool Advocacy: for the complete and timely return of all borrowed tools, to guarantee the long-term sustainability of available inventory. Staff also seeks compensation for lost tools and tools returned late.
• Tool Maintenance: performing routine maintenance and repairs on all equipment to ensure good condition and to extend the lifespan of the inventory. This function is typically performed by volunteers and community service workers.

Makerspace

Makerspace are places where people perform the following main tasks:

• to learn about technology, crafts and other kinds of making;
• to share knowledge and skills with others; and
• to apply this knowledge and skill by creating things.

Branches

• Vancouver Tool Library, 3448 Commercial Street, Vancouver BC.
• Vancouver Tool Library and Makerspace, 196 Kingsway Ave, Vancouver BC

See also

• List of tool-lending libraries
• List of public libraries in Ontario

External links

• The Vancouver Tool Library - official site