For those readers who have been with us for a while, you may recall an article (well two articles actually) we did a little over a year ago about community tool libraries. If you are not familiar with this concept, let’s do a quick recap.
Around the country, some communities have started Tool Libraries. Set up in exactly the same manner as a conventional library, these tool libraries take advantage of the fact that most people do not use tools every day.
Members are able to borrow just about any tool imaginable without the expense of purchasing the tool at the store. Similar to a book library, these projects are typically funded by donations, grants, and volunteers. A community of any size can benefit from implementing a program like this; even if it is a smaller program than some of the ones we have outlined here.
Sharing tools with other community members is a powerful resiliency solution that reduces local dependence on hardware stores while allowing these people to spend their hard-earned money on other useful items.
Of course, this is not meant to be a dig against the neighborhood hardware store. Tool libraries like the ones that have been set up in South Philadelphia and Portland demonstrate that community initiatives promoting the local economy can be successful without having a negative impact on other local businesses.
More information about community tool libraries can be found by reading our previous posts at http://www.
What other community libraries can we think of together?
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