Toronto Tool Library
Toronto Tool Library and Makerspace | |
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43°38′23″N 79°26′26″W / 43.639671°N 79.440546°W, 43°41′03″N 79°19′07″W / 43.684200°N 79.318675°W, 43°40′51″N 79°25′52″W / 43.680739°N 79.431167°W, 43°39′00″N 79°23′51″W / 43.649987°N 79.397534°W | |
Location | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Established | 2012 |
Branches | 4 |
Access and use | |
Population served | 2,615,060 (2012) [1] |
Members | 800 |
Other information | |
Director | Ryan Dyment |
Employees | 7 |
Website | The Toronto Tool Library |
Toronto Tool Library (TTL) is a tool library system based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[2] 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.[3] In The Kitchen Library, small to medium-sized appliances are loaned for cooking and baking, serving equipment, culinary workshops. It partnered with the Toronto Public Library in 2015.[4]
History
In 2012, TTL was founded by Ryan Dyment and Lawrence Alvarez.[5] TTL received its first grant from the Centre for Social Innovation and started a registered non-profit arm called the Institute for a Resource Based Economy (IRBE) in 2012.[6] In March 2012, a tool lending library was established in Toronto west at the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre, 1499 Queen Street West, Toronto.[7] In 2012, a tool lending and Makerspace with a wood shop, laser cutter, 3D printers, workshops and community gatherings was established in Toronto East at 1803 Danforth Avenue, Toronto.[8] In October 2013, a Makerspace was established in the East End of Toronto. In 2013, the TTL offered its first annual Alternative Gift Fair.[9] In 2014, TTL sold $1000 bonds to fund its social change.[10] In March 2015, TTL held a 54-Hour Hackathon, which gave participants training in hardware startups.[11] The TTL partnered with the Toronto Public Library to open a brand new Tool Library on April 30, 2015 at the Downsview Public Library branch of the TPL, located at 2793 Keele Street. [12]
TTL is supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Pioneer +TO, countless tool donors and volunteers.[13]
Governance
The Toronto Tool Library is governed by a Board composed of eight citizen members.[14]
Services
Collections
The tool library adapted Share Starter's free "Tool Library Starter Kit" [15] which includes start up guidelines, frequently asked questions, and sample documents. The library uses "Local Tools" from "myTurn.com, PBC", a web-based inventory management system to track tool library members and to automatically display the tool availability online.[16] The library has loaned over 12,000+ specialized tools from power drills and ladders to pressure washers and roto-tillers to community members with all skill levels welcomed.[17] The inventory of equipment includes automative, bike, carpentry and woodworking, electrical and soldering, home maintenance, metalworking, plumbing, remodelling, safety equipment, sustainable living, yard and garden. The types of equipment include: network equipment, books, camping, cars, googles, helmets, handtools, packages, power tools, wheelbarrows & wagons.
Training
The TTL 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.
Technology
The Toronto Tool Library technology services include public access 3D Printing.[18] In addition, Laser -Cutting and CNC Router Services are available at TTL.[19]
Tool Ninja
The Toronto Tool Library offers “Tool Ninjas” whereby experts in a variety of tools and trades – 3D printing, Laser cutting, Furniture design, renovations are partnered for mentorship in tool use or hiring for a job.[20]
Branches
- Tool lending library at the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre, 1499 Queen Street West, in the West End of Toronto.[21]
- Tool lending library and Makerspace, 1803 Danforth Avenue, in the East End of Toronto.[22]
- Tool lending library, 2793 Keele Street at the Downsview branch of the Toronto Public Library
See also
References
- ^ "(Code 3520) Census Profile. 2011 census". Statistics Canada. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
- ^ "Thousands of loans later, Toronto Tool Library turns one in Parkdale". insideTORONTO.com. 2014. Retrieved Apr 6, 2014.
- ^ "Need a power drill, paint roller or a small generator? Try the library — the Tool Library, that is". Toronto Star. 2013. Retrieved Feb 5, 2013.
- ^ "How-to books and tools to do the job: Soon, Downsview library will offer both". Toronto Star. 2015. Retrieved Apr 9, 2015.
- ^ "The Toronto Tool Library Brings a New Model of Resource Sharing". Torontoist. 2013. Retrieved Apr 8, 2013.
- ^ Institute for a Resource Based Economy
- ^ "Toronto's first Tool Library gears up to open in Parkdale". Toronto Star. 2013. Retrieved Feb 5, 2013.
- ^ "The Toronto Tool Library Nails Down Its New East-End Location". Torontoist. 2013. Retrieved Oct 18, 2013.
- ^ "Tool Library's Alternative Gift Fair lets you swap your items, land free gifts". Toronto Star. 2014. Retrieved Dec 13, 2014.
- ^ "Toronto community space selling $1000 bonds to fund social change". MetroNews Canada. 2014. Retrieved Nov 21, 2014.
- ^ "54-Hour Hackathon Gives Participants Crash Course in Hardware startups". Techvibes (blog). 2015. Retrieved Mar 9, 2015.
- ^ "Extra, Extra: What Is Toronto, Tool Time at the Library, and a Drake Video Game". Torontoist. 2015. Retrieved Apr 8, 2015.
- ^ "Libraries Unite! | Toronto Tool Library". torontotoollibrary.com. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
- ^ "East - end Tool Library set to open on Danforth Avenue in September". insideTORONTO.com. 2013. Retrieved Jul 4, 2013.
- ^ How to start a tool library
- ^ Local Tools
- ^ "About | Toronto Tool Library". torontotoollibrary.com. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
- ^ "Hammering home the logic of pooling our tools". Toronto Star. 2014. Retrieved Sep 29, 2014.
- ^ "3D Printing + Laser-Cutting Services | Toronto Tool Library". torontotoollibrary.com. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
- ^ "Tool Ninjas | Toronto Tool Library". torontotoollibrary.com. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
- ^ Toronto Tool Library West
- ^ Toronto tool lending library east
External links
- Official website
- Toronto Public Library Downsview Branch
- The Kitchen Library - official site
- The Toronto Seed Library