Edmonton Tool Library

Bellevue Community League, 2021, home to the Edmonton Tool Library, a community resource providing tools for local residents to borrow and use.

The Edmonton Tool Library is a non-profit organization located in Edmonton, Alberta that makes 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.

History

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. Along with other places in communities across the globe.

The Edmonton Tool Library was co-founded in 2016 by Edmonton residents Stacey Cann, Shanon Leblanc, Robyn Webb and Leslie Bush. The group started the initiative 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 during Covid-19 lockdowns such as needing an expensive tool for only one task that they'd likely never need to use again; 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 of Edmontonians who may not have the budget to buy or 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 lounge area, and the Edmonton Tool Library.

Hours and operations

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 faced by the organization, largely due to a need for a greater volunteer team to staff the Library. 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.

Funding

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 members of other Edmonton community leagues, such as the Hairsine and Kenilworth Community Leagues, also receive access to the Tool Library's services by presenting their membership cards.

Volunteers

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.

Recognition and impact

Since its inception, the Edmonton Tool Library has been featured in various media outlets, highlighting its impact on the Edmonton community. For instance, a May 2021 segment by Global News showcased how the Tool Library provides affordable access to tools, enabling residents to undertake home projects without significant financial investment.

The Edmonton Tool Library exemplifies a model of community resource sharing, emphasizing sustainability and collaboration. By offering accessible tool lending services, the organization aims to support individual projects while fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility among Edmonton residents.