News x 2 from the West Seattle Tool Library at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center:

On Thursday night, while making the rounds for West Seattle Art Walk, we checked out the new day/time for Ask-An-Expert coaching at the Tool Library – second Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm, to coincide with WSAW nights. On hand during our visit were (photo from left) Solar Epiphany‘s Eric Thomas, Mighty House Construction‘s Laura Elfline, visiting Realtor Alice Kuder (of Savvy Seattle Women fame), Mighty House’s Doug Elfline, and Tool Library boss Patrick Dunn. Ask-An-Expert is an informal drop-in arrangement, free, so watch for the next one on Thursday, July 14.

Before then – this Saturday, in fact – you are invited to help the Tool Library celebrate its first anniversary. Here’s the official announcement:

From a few donated tools in a storage closet at SSCC to a new dedicated space at Youngstown complete with a full tool storage area and a 500 square foot community woodworking shop, the Tool Library has come a long way in a short time with the help of dedicated volunteers. More than 230 members have signed up to use the collection of more than 1,000 tools, most donated by the community.

Tool Library First Anniversary schedule:

10:00 am: Community Welcome with Coffee & Pastries
10:30-11:30 am: Beyond the Basics: Power Tool Tips and Safety (meetup.com link)
11:30 am-12:30 pm: One-on-One Large Shop Tool Instruction (For Class Attendees)
1:00 pm-4:00 pm: Fixers’ Collective, Inaugural Meeting (meetup.com link)

In celebration of its one-year anniversary, the Tool Library has special offers on the use of the new community woodworking shop.

Click ahead for details on those offers:

All specials include a safety class or free exam and a one-year membership to The Tool Library.

1st Anniversary Specials @ The Tool Library’s Community Workshop
(Offer expires on June 30, 2011)

Open, Public Use: Saturdays 9 am-2 pm, Sundays 1-5 pm
Sign up for one month, get the 2nd month FREE ($80 Value)
Private Rental: Monday- Friday, 8 am-5 pm

10 hours for $250 ($320 Value); 20 Hours for $400 ($620 Value); 40 Hours for $700 ($1,220 Value)

The West Seattle Tool Library is located on the first floor of the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW. For more information, visit WSToolLibrary.org or write to The Tool Library at library@wstoollibrary.org.