Toronto Tool Library and Makerspace
43°38′23″N 79°26′26″W / 43.639671°N 79.440546°W / 43.639671; -79.440546, 43°41′03″N 79°19′07″W / 43.684200°N 79.318675°W / 43.684200; -79.318675, 43°40′51″N 79°25′52″W / 43.680739°N 79.431167°W / 43.680739; -79.431167, 43°39′00″N 79°23′51″W / 43.649987°N 79.397534°W / 43.649987; -79.397534
LocationToronto, Ontario, Canada
Established2012 (2012)
Branches4
Access and use
Population served2,615,060 (2012) [1]
Members800
Other information
DirectorTim Willison
Employees7
Public transit access  510 
Websitetorontotoollibrary.com

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 Ovctober 2013, a tool lending library 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] 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. [9]

TTL is supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Pioneer +TO, tool donors and volunteers.[10] In 2018, TTL was at risk of closing, but was able to remain open due to a crowdfunding campaign which raised over $37,000.[11][12]

Governance

The Toronto Tool Library is governed by a Board composed of eight citizen members.[13]

Services

Collections

The tool library adapted Share Starter's free "Tool Library Starter Kit" [14] 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.[15] 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.[16] 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, cars, googles, helmets, handtools, packages, power tools, wheelbarrows & wagons.

Training

The Makerspace offers affordable workshops open to Tool Library members on tool related skills and projects. In the Intro to Tools workshop, participants learn to use hand and power tools that are available at the Tool Library.

Branches

  • Tool Library, Sharing Depot and Makerspace, 192 Spadina Avenue, Toronto.[17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "(Code 3520) Census Profile. 2011 census". Statistics Canada. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
  2. ↑ "Thousands of loans later, Toronto Tool Library turns one in Parkdale". insideTORONTO.com. 2014. Retrieved Apr 6, 2014.
  3. ↑ "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.
  4. ↑ "How-to books and tools to do the job: Soon, Downsview library will offer both". Toronto Star. 2015. Retrieved Apr 9, 2015.
  5. ↑ "The Toronto Tool Library Brings a New Model of Resource Sharing". Torontoist. 2013. Retrieved Apr 8, 2013.
  6. ↑ Institute for a Resource Based Economy
  7. ↑ "Toronto's first Tool Library gears up to open in Parkdale". Toronto Star. 2013. Retrieved Feb 5, 2013.
  8. ↑ "The Toronto Tool Library Nails Down Its New East-End Location". Torontoist. 2013. Retrieved Oct 18, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Extra, Extra: What Is Toronto, Tool Time at the Library, and a Drake Video Game". Torontoist. 2015. Retrieved Apr 8, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Libraries Unite! | Toronto Tool Library". torontotoollibrary.com. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  11. ↑ "The free Toronto Tool Library has been saved". www.blogto.com. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  12. ↑ "Keep the Tool Library Alive!". Indiegogo. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  13. ↑ "East - end Tool Library set to open on Danforth Avenue in September". insideTORONTO.com. 2013. Retrieved Jul 4, 2013.
  14. ↑ How to start a tool library
  15. ↑ Local Tools
  16. ↑ "About | Toronto Tool Library". torontotoollibrary.com. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  17. ↑ "Locations and Hours". torontotoollibrary.com. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
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