Sustainable West Seattle Tool Library

[ToolShare]

Do you ever borrow your neighbors’ tools?

Do you wish they had a better selection?

Have you ever heard of a community tool library?

Sustainable West Seattle is currently looking into creating a community-led tool library here in West Seattle that would provide low-cost, community access to a wide range of tools, training, and expert advice.

As part of our planning process, we’re asking for some feedback from the active audience of the WSB forums. And we’ll take as much as you’re willing to give us!

We’ve even put together a survey to make it a little easier. Here’s the link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=4nFv7Wx8bTBno5CxUlBLLw_3d_3d

If that doesn’t grant you all the voice you desire, and you have other comments you’d like to share, we’d ask that you please feel free to give us an earful through our website at:

http://www.sustainablewestseattle.org/2009/10/tool-library-questionnaire/

Since the feedback we receive will help us design the tool library to meet the true needs of our West Seattle community, we look forward to hearing all your thoughts.

We ask that, in true Forum form, you not be shy about sharing them.

Thanks for all the help!

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[datamuse]

I have heard of this; libraries in New Orleans started gathering and lending out tools post-Katrina to help people who didn’t have their own fix up their houses.

I’ve also heard of this being tried in communities NOT struck by disaster, though not how well it’s worked.

Based on last winter…stock snow shovels. ;D

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[inactive]

Cool idea! Phinney Ridge I think had a tool share program that was very successful when I lived in North Seattle years ago. Maybe they still have it running? I remember there being lots of workshops. Experts from their program use to also do Saturday AM radio for DIY’ers.

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[FullTilt]

yeah! They had one in Berkley when I was living down there. It was an awesome resource, especially for my friends who were renovating a very decrepit house. I know Justin has a ton of stuff he could donate-time to clean out the garage!

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[rockhills]

Great idea!

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[JoB]

we too have tools we could donate.. good timing as i was thinking about what to do with them only yesterday.

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[Laconique]

Sweet!! We just bought our first house and my husband is chomping at the bit to buy all kinds of ridiculous tools. This is a great alternative!

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[dawsonct]

How about an on-line tool-sharing community where people sign up and list the tools they own that would be available to loan. Maybe even couple it with a knowledge and bartering exchange allowing people to share their expertise. Would alleviate the need for some sort of centralized location.

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[ToolShare]

Love to hear all the excitement!

And thanks to everyone who’s filled out the survey.

We’re definitely working off the past successes of Phinney and Berkeley, as well as a bunch of other successful tool libraries throughout the country. But we want this library to specifically meet the needs of OUR community, so your comments are vital.

Keep them coming!

Thanks again.

Here’s the survey link mentioned above:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=4nFv7Wx8bTBno5CxUlBLLw_3d_3d

And, for longer comments, our web address:

http://www.sustainablewestseattle.org/2009/10/tool-library-questionnaire/

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[anonyme]

This is a great idea, however… South Seattle Community College is in the process of creating just such a tool share through their garden center. I don’t know if you want to duplicate efforts, or perhaps join forces…?

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[ToolShare]

Anonyme,

Good minds think alike, I guess. We’re currently working with SSCC on what seems to be a natural partnership opportunity for both of us.

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