Here’s a very simple tip on how to get your community moving towards resilience.
It’s a library. But instead of books, it has all of the tools you need for construction, maintenance, and craft work. From power tools to garden tools to woodworking tools.
Makes sense. Why should anyone spend thousands of dollars on a power tool only to use it once a year?
But it goes deeper than that. By building a tool library (usually built by donations, grants and volunteers like any library), you are breaking down the silos and the barriers associated with tool use. Not only are people more likely to use the tools, they are more likely to share the knowledge required to use them well and to good effect.
Does a tool library provide a beneficial impact on personal and community resilience? You bet.
Let’s take a look at the North Portland Tool Library. It was formed/built by four smart and energetic volunteers (seen below) in 2004.
They currently run workshops on basic skills (how to drill, etc.) and on repairing tools. Here’s a taste of the types of tools they currently have at the library.
| Tool list | ||
Carpentry & Woodworking
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Garden Tools
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Power Tools
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Electrical & Mechanical
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Drywall & Masonry
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Other Tools
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Carpet Tools
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Cement Tools
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Bike Tools
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