What kind of tools would you want to borrow?

I think this is a great idea!

I'd be interested. I have an angle grinder I'd happily put into the pot, as well as some random automotive tools that get little use.

Great idea! Here's Oakland's example: http://oaklandlibrary.org/locations/tool-lending-library

I'd be interested in any gardening tools or DIY home care/repair tools that have specific uses but would often sit idle for long-periods of time after the project is done. (i.e. masonry, plumbing, electrical, drywall)

This is an awesome idea and one that's been batted around before. My sense is you need four things for this to work: 1) A critical mass of "members" to both borrow tools and volunteer to staff the library; 2) Some kind of cheap, flexible, semi-centrally located space; and 3) A good management system, which can be borrowed from Oakland or other set-ups. The tools, I think with with a big group, kind of make themselves available since almost everyone has a tool or two that they rarely if ever use. The space, well, not sure how big would be needed. What are the needs, tool-wise first....? Maybe a short survey to gauge interest could be a next step. Ben, want to work together on this somehow? I could see maybe 2-3 locations ultimately one east in FH, one west in WV to start.

cool!! I would use this service. I'd even pay a low monthly fee.

Maybe the Make Haven folks could help brainstorm on this.

Chris,
I would definitely want to work on this together. I want to talk to Martha Brogan, the head librarian, now that there seems to be interest as well. I am going to cross post this issue on the Oakland SCF page to see if we can get some advice from Oaklanders as well.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fotll/

Ben & Chris: I'd be happy to work on this with you all if you need more bodies.

If you want to post a point of email contact, I'm also happy to connect directly re: the Oakland Tool Lending Library--as an Oaklander who grew up in New Haven, I'd love to see one there, too! :) Berkeley is also a great very similar model--they rebuilt the library building that houses their tool library relatively recently so have had opportunity to really think about how it functions in that space, too. I'd also add that even though Oakland is much larger than NH, one location has worked well here--not because people wouldn't love to be able to get the tools elsewhere (I'm sure they would) but because a lot of the success depends on tools actually being available when you need them (or knowing when they will be coming back), and this is much easier to manage with a single location (as is staffing). Just something to weigh against the convenience factor.

Neighbor, that would be awesome to have a direct point of contact. Would you shoot me an email at Ben@SeeClickFix.com

Thanks all - please keep me lopped in as well; chris.heitmann@westvillect.org.

A working group of the Food Policy Council has been doing some work and communicating with the library about this for gardening tools. I'll be meeting with them in the next week or so, and will try and facilitate a discussion. I don't know who the best contact is , but will share that as soon as I have it.

Hi folks- I'm relatively new to the neighborhood wondering if the tool lending library ever moved forward? Madison WI (where we moved from) also has a tool lending library but I didn't learn much about it when I was there. We're new homeowners in need of tools so we'd be happy to help!

Leleane,
Welcome to the neighborhood. We never got it going. I would still love to see it happen!

Hi Leleane- welcome to Westville. Let me know what tools you may be looking to borrow.
Take care,
Andy

Hi there - my boyfriend and I also recently moved to Westville and we would love a tool lending library. I was wondering if paring up with http://www.makehaven.org/ (which I also recently discovered their workshop) would help facilitate getting this started in some way. One idea I had (maybe to just get this going) is to have a tool lending library that doesn't have a location - I'm thinking that items are stored at owners homes; with inventory/checked out information available on a google groups website and information on how to contact the owner to borrow the tool - this would help solve the initial hurdle oh having a place and staffing issues. I would be happy to help with the website part of it if anyone else is interested in this approach. Thanks, Maria

Hi Maria - welcome to Westville and to MakeHaven. I'm in a good place to talk about Make and know we have some early discussions going with other local institutions about improving access to tools and spaces to work. But I don't see a near future in which it pushes out a lending library. (lots of complicating factors). But, generally, MakeHaven is a great resource for getting access to expensive tools without buying them. About as close to a Tool Library as we have for now.

Your idea of a website is a great one. I had a similar thought and got directed to NeighborGoods.net while researching existing solutions. It validated my concept, but I didn't look deeply into it. Would love to hear more if you have the time to check it out.

I love the idea of a non-housed lending library. If someone sets up a website for this I'll list tools. It'd be great to see someone using my dusty dremel or angle grinder.

I just made an account on neighborgoods and it looks like there's a group for westville, is that you? I'm going to try to join it. It actually looks like this would be a perfect way to have a virtual tool library... Maybe if a few people on this list can make an account there and join the westville group we can try it out/see how it works.

My name is Sherri and I recently moved to New Haven as a Yale Graduate Student. I am interested in getting everyone in a room and talking about how to get a tool library going in New Haven. I spearheaded one in my adopted home town of Port Townsend, WA and did a lot of leg work - we never found a space that worked so it is currently functioning only as a Fix-It Cafe, but I went through a lot of hoops and learned a lot along the way. You can see the site at pttoolshed.org or the Facebook page - if you wander back a ways on it - has some great stuff. I don't think the folks who took it over have been keeping up on the FB page. We contemplated a non-bricks-and-mortar sharing scheme as well, but our bigger vision was to have a huge education component, and a hub for figuring out ways to improve our neighborhoods, much as they do in Portland, OR. http://www.cityrepair.org/ Anyway, if it's not been attempted before, we should all get into a room in person and talk about what vision makes sense for New Haven.

Hi Sherri- I'm interested in this as well! Since I don't follow the comments so much I wanted to give you my email. Maria.Niculete@gmail.com. Please keep me in the loop and I would love to help. I wonder if there is another forum where we can reach more people about this. I'm sure many are interested.

I was curious if any of the folks on this thread would use a website that allowed you rent or lend tools to neighbors? Maybe that's an easier way to facilitate this.

Great idea, Ben. I would totally use a site for that.

I think I would too Andy!

Ben: I have skills with regard to website design but I'd be happy to put a bunch of tools up for lending.

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