Create a tool library
Earth Points80
EaseAmbitious
Summary
By sharing tools instead of always buying new ones, we can reduce extraction from natural resources and climate pollution, while saving money. Start a tool library with friends, neighbors, and online resources to improve homes and lives!
Description
A tool library works like a regular book library; tools are there for lending, instead of buying or renting them. Many of us have tools we rarely use or may never use again. Why not share them? Besides staple guns and chainsaws, some tool libraries include kitchen tools that are not used daily, like stand mixers.
If we share tools instead of always buying new ones, there is less extraction of materials from natural resources, less manufacturing, and less transportation. This, in turn, leads to decreases in emissions on the one hand and big savings for those who would otherwise be buying or renting tools on the other. Share the wealth and ways to improve homes and lives!
A tool library can easily lead to a repair café. This is a place where people come together to repair belongings they would otherwise discard. Tools that might be too heavy to lend, like sewing machines, can be made publicly available in a repair café. It is also an excellent way to get to know more neighbors and begin to work together towards common goals.
If we share tools instead of always buying new ones, there is less extraction of materials from natural resources, less manufacturing, and less transportation. This, in turn, leads to decreases in emissions on the one hand and big savings for those who would otherwise be buying or renting tools on the other. Share the wealth and ways to improve homes and lives!
A tool library can easily lead to a repair café. This is a place where people come together to repair belongings they would otherwise discard. Tools that might be too heavy to lend, like sewing machines, can be made publicly available in a repair café. It is also an excellent way to get to know more neighbors and begin to work together towards common goals.
Tips
• Look at what tools you currently have and how often you use them. Think about what tools you might need in the future. This might give you a nice starting spot for your library.
• Ask existing tool libraries for advice on how to get started. A quick search online can help you see if there is one in your region and connect you to people to ask questions.
• This Local Tool Lending Library site is a helpful resource in some areas to find other libraries and post about yours once it is up and running. The listings are not exhaustive, so be sure to ask and look around for other options in your area.
• Talk to friends and neighbors about working together to set up a tool library. Consider posting about it in local online forums to find more people to contribute. You might be surprised by their enthusiasm!
• Here is a nice website with more details about tool libraries and how to start one when you are ready to go deeper into your journey!
• Ask existing tool libraries for advice on how to get started. A quick search online can help you see if there is one in your region and connect you to people to ask questions.
• This Local Tool Lending Library site is a helpful resource in some areas to find other libraries and post about yours once it is up and running. The listings are not exhaustive, so be sure to ask and look around for other options in your area.
• Talk to friends and neighbors about working together to set up a tool library. Consider posting about it in local online forums to find more people to contribute. You might be surprised by their enthusiasm!
• Here is a nice website with more details about tool libraries and how to start one when you are ready to go deeper into your journey!
Additional Resources
https://wasteless.zerowastescotland.org.uk/articles/tool-library
https://www.appropedia.org/How_to_start_a_tool_library_in_your_community
https://climatesteps.org/2020/09/03/a-tool-library-is-a-seed/
https://www.appropedia.org/How_to_start_a_tool_library_in_your_community
https://climatesteps.org/2020/09/03/a-tool-library-is-a-seed/