Chris Diplock was talking to friends just over a year ago about wanting to work on projects with the kinds of tools that make projects easier.
But the right tool for the job is either priced out of your access, if youre in a lower income bracket, or you dont have the space, he said. It was kind of frustrating to see that theres all these tools in the community that people arent sharing.
This Saturday that problem will be addressed when the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Tool Library celebrates its grand opening at 3448 Commercial St.
Diplock is president of its board of directors. All those involved are volunteers. The tool library received a $7,500 grant from the city, a $2,000 donation from Mountain Equipment Co-op and $1,500 contribution from the Student Environment Committee at UBC to start the cooperative. Members pay a one-time fee of $20 for a share and a $30 annual maintenance fee. (Students and those with low incomes have a lower fee.) Seventy-four individuals have signed up.
The tool library has an inventory of about 400 tools, 70 per cent donated and 30 per cent purchased, covering home repair, gardening and bike repair. The inventory is expected to grow.
Diplock said they have a solid collection of hand and power tools. Im really happy with where were at. I think the bike tools will come in a little later than expected. We have a few but our projected inventory is coming in a bit late. And I feel good about garden tools as well.
Space has been carved out for tool maintenance, although Diplock said the board still needs to figure out how much money will be needed for tool repair and who else might be needed to do the work.
At the end of year three, organizers hope to function solely on membership revenue, which will require about 600 to sign up.
Caitlin Dorward, who also sits on the board, said some grant money was spent on inventory software, so members can see whats available online.
The librarys location near Broadway was chosen for its proximity to transit and those expected to borrow tools.
We saw East Van as where a lot of community activity is happening and a lot of cooperative projects are really thriving and the kind of people we see as potential members of the library, Dorward explained.
She said about two dozen similar public tool libraries operate in the United States. Shes not familiar with any in Canada. Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»organizers were in close contact with some of their American counterparts for organizational help.
Tools will be loaned for three-day periods. Late fees are $2 a day for hand tools and $5 a day for power tools. The librarys initial hours will Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m,. with all volunteer staff.
The grand opening is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 16 with workshops on planter box building, bike maintenance and gardening, as well as shop tours, opportunities to sign up as members or donate tools, live music and a $5 barbecue lunch with proceeds going to the library.
Twitter: @Naoibh
