West Philly Tool Library

Basic home repair classes at the Tool Library

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:14:00 +0000

The West Philly Tool Library is proud to partner with The West/Southwest Neighborhood Advisory Committee, The Other Carpenter, and The Partnership CDC to offer a summer series on basic home repair.

David Heaton, the Executive Director of The Other Carpenter, will lead four workshops on basic carpentry, electric, and plumbing every Monday in July from 5:30 to 7:00pm at the Tool Library.

Monday, July 7: Carpentry

- understanding board sizes and uses

- understanding framing and finish work

- learning the circular saw and miter box saw

Monday, July 14: Drywall

- understanding sizes and types of dry-wall

- installing dry-wall

- spackling

Monday, July 21: Doors & Windows

- understanding doors and windows

- installing a door and a window

Monday, July 28: Plumbing & Electric

- changing outlets, switches, and an electrical fixture

- identifying parts for and assembling a sink and a toilet

The series costs $20 for all four classes. Participants will receive a certificate for a free one-year Tool Library membership.

Interested? Contact Jessi Averill at The Partnership CDC to reserve your spot. Jessi can be reached at (215) 662-1612 ext 14 or javerill@thepartnershi

(image credit.)

Tool Library expands our hours

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:44:00 +0000

We're pleased to announce that the Tool Library has expanded our hours. Starting this week, we'll now be open:

Tuesdays 6:30-8:30pm
Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm
Saturday 9am-2pm

Now there's no need to wait until Saturday to borrow (or return!) tools.

Please welcome Eric, our new tool coordinator

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:43:00 +0000

We've been able to expand our hours in large part because we now have a part-time staff person. The next time you're in, please welcome Eric, our new tool coordinator, to the Tool Library. Although Eric's been a member of the Library almost since the very beginning, he's just been hired as our first paid staff. We're elated he's with us.

Slight change to our tool policy

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:42:00 +0000

To accommodate our new hours, we've changed our tool policy slightly. Officially, our tool policy used to state that all tools were due the following Saturday. Now that we're open more frequently, all tools must now be returned seven days after they are borrowed. So if you borrow a hammer on Tuesday, please return it on or before the following Tuesday.

Reminder to return on time

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:40:00 +0000

Traffic has started to pick up at the Tool Library (as you may have noticed.) In the past, we've been pretty lenient about allowing multiple renewals. But we're going to start becoming more strict. Please return your tools within seven days. If you absolutely must renew, you can do so once by calling or coming in personally to the Library as long as no one else has reserved the tool. If you don't renew, we'll be imposing a $5 per tool fine per day the Tool Library is open. This is consistent with the tool policy that's always existed. Of course, we'd prefer not to fine anyone, so please be considerate of your fellow tool library members.

We're hiring!

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:11:00 +0000

That's right, the Tool Library is seeking a paid 10 hours/week tool coordinator to staff the Tool Library. Check out the job description by clicking here:

http://www.westphillytools.org/tool_coordinator_job_description.pdf

If you're interested in applying, please do so quickly. We're hoping to expand our hours in May. (And if you know someone who might be interested, please pass the job description on to them!)

The Tool Library is also seeking a few people to sit on an ad-hoc hiring committee to interview applicants for the paid tool coordinator position and make hiring recommendations to the Steering Committee. We imagine that the Hiring Committee will meet approximately three times within the next two months. It's a great way to become more involved in your tool library. If you're interested, please email Stacey Hendricks, the volunteer coordinator, at werkzeugmann@hotmail.com.

The Tool Library is the news

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:04:00 +0000

The Tool Library has received some great press lately. Read (and listen!) to the stories at the links below:

Philadelphia Inquirer (3/21/08)
KYW 1060 Newsradio (with additional audio) (4/5/08)
Southwest Globe Times (3/27/08)
City Paper (3/13/08)

A Great Grand Opening!

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:38:00 +0000

Over 150 neighbors and friends came to take a look at the Tool Library at yesterday's Grand Opening and eat a lunch catered by our friends from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP.)

A slide show of photos from the Grand Opening is below.

Great story in the City Paper

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:19:00 +0000

The Grand Opening gets some good press in this week's Philadelphia City Paper. (Although contrary to the article, we do have a great sign out front on our facade.)

Be sure to stop by this Saturday, March 15, from 12 noon to 5:00pm and enjoy food and fun and borrow one or more of our 350+ tools!

(image credit.)

Come celebrate our Grand Opening!

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:25:00 +0000

We've been "unofficially" open since last September. But now that Spring is around the bend, we're having our Grand Opening. So come say hello and enjoy food and fun at our open house on Saturday, March 15, from 12 noon to 5:00pm.

(image credit.)

New Tools

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:59:00 +0000

We recently purchased several new tools that you might be interested in borrowing.

Our new tools include a table saw, a chop saw, wet-dry vacuum, 14' telescoping pruner, torque wrench, clamps, bolt cutters, high wattage work lights, and lots of hand tools.

They're just waiting to be borrowed and put to good use.

Thanks, Fels Fund

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:57:00 +0000

In December, the Tool Library received a $5000 grant from the Samuel S. Fels Fund. This is in addition to the $5000 grant we received in November from the Sparkplug Foundation. We'll use this money to purchase more new tools and hopefully hire a part-time staff member in the future so that we can be open for more hours on more days in the Spring.

Join the Tool Library email list

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 05:19:00 +0000

Are you on our low-traffic e-mail listserv? If not, click here to join.

Find out the latest news about the Tool Library before anyone else on your block. Want to know when the Library finally buys those bolt cutters you've been asked about? Or that table saw? Sign up for the listserv.

(Of course, if you're not already, you should really become a member of the Tool Library. Members are automatically added to the listserv.)

(image credit.)

You asked for it, You got it

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 05:19:00 +0000

By far, the biggest tool request here at the Tool Library has been for a tall ladder. So last week, the Tool Library became the proud owner of a 40 foot extension ladder. And just for good measure, we purchased a 28 foot extension ladder, too. Need to clean out your gutters? Put on the storm windows? Come borrow these ladders.

Thanks, Sparkplug

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 05:18:00 +0000

Last week, the Tool Library received a $5000 grant from the Sparkplug Foundation, a New York City-based foundation that funds "start-up projects and innovations in music, education and community organizing." Thanks, also, to the ten community organizations that provided written letters of support. We'll use this money to purchase more new tools now and hire a part-time staff member in the Spring.

Tool Library partners with Friends of Clark Park

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 05:08:00 +0000

We've teamed up with Friends of Clark Park! They have a small shed for storing all their tools, and we have a Tool Library. Our partnership has started small with ten shovels that FoCP has generously allowed the Library to use in its catalogue. It's great to watch the Tool Library's growing relationship with our neighbors and neighborhood organizations. Need a shovel? We're here for you.

Our new sign

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:38:00 +0000

Have you seen our beautiful new sign yet?

A special thanks to Mike at Fourth River Signworks for creating our logo and manufacturing both an aluminum sign for the outside of the Tool Library and a vinyl one that we can take to events. Mike gave them to us at cost and was great to work with.

Need a sign? We strongly recommend Fourth River Signworks at 4903 Catherine Street. You can contact Mike at mpm@4thriver.com or 267-679-6568.

New tools!

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:14:00 +0000

We inventoried all of our new tools this morning. Want to know what's at the Tool Library? Here's a list. Come by any Saturday morning to join the Library and borrow a tool (or more).

Sawzall Reciprocating Saw (Milwaukee)

Large Mortar Chisel (Cold Chisel)

Small Mortar Chisel (Cold Chisel)

Mortar Spike (Cold Chisel)

25' Tape Measure (Lufkin)

Paint Brush (1-1/2)"

25' Tape Measure (Lufkin)

Electric 15 Weedwacker (Ryobi)"

Hammer Drill (Bosch)

3 lb Drilling Hammer (Stanley)

4 lb Blacksmith Hammer (Stanley)

12 Square (Empire)"

Small Rake

Fubar Demolition Tool(Stanley)

Battery-Powered Worklight (Dewalt)

10 lb Sledgehammer (Ludell)

Large Rake

Squirrel Trap

14.4v Battery-Powered Drill (Dewalt)

Battery Charger (Dewalt)

Keyhole saw (aka dry wall saw)

Handsaw

Tile adhesive applicator

dustpan & dust brush

Electric Weedwacker (Black & Decker)

Plastic Square (Empire)

Short handle spade

small handled spade

ball pean hammer

specialty hammer

small rake

putty knife

Channel locks (red handle)

Specialty pliers

paint pan (for paint roller)

staple gun (Swingline)

Hedgehog Edger/Trimmer (Black & Decker)

4' Level (Empire)

2' Level (Husky)

Circular Saw (Mikita) w case

Precision Miter Box & Saw (Stanley)

1 Wood Chisel (Marples)"

3/4 Wood Chisel (Marples)"

1/2 Wood Chisel (Marples)"

1/4 Wood Chisel (Marples)"

paint roller

wheelbarrow

12 Hacksaw (Stanley)"

24 x 16" Square (Empire)"

Circular Saw, 7-1/4 (Black & Decker)"

Flo-master liquid sprayer

Pliers, red-handled

Pliers

Wrench

Phillips Head Screwdriver

Baby flat screwdriver

nail sinker

Needlenosed pliers (really skinny)

Needlenosed pliers

Pliers

85' extension cord (Husky)

Extension Cord 3-fer (Husky)

6' Ladder (Husky)

tool bag (Dewalt)

awl

hammer

Volunteer tool librarians needed!

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:30:00 +0000

As the tool library moves forward, building out the space, receiving donations, and gaining a member base, we’ll need a very important component to facilitate the true purpose of the library: lending tools.

Volunteer Tool Librarians (VTLs)

As a non-profit, community-based, and community-building organization that’s where you come in. We need community members who see the value of giving a little time to promote this co-operative idea, and their community.

VTLs will receive training and will work with at least one other person at all times. Their duties will include: checking out tools, receiving returned tools, receiving new donations, and making calls about reserved tools.

If you can envision a better, inclusive, and well maintained West Philly then please join us. You don’t have to be a professional contractor( or play one on TV), or an amateur librarian. We’ll do our best to pair teams up in order to balance their strengths.

If you have particular skills or knowledge in these areas please let us know, but we want to anyone who is interested and desires to learn more.

Contact the volunteer coordinator, Stacey Hendricks at werkzeugmann@hotmail.com or call the library at 215-833-3190.

You will be contacted to schedule a training time.

Thanks!

Tool Library's Wish List

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:21:00 +0000

The shelves are built. The counter is nearly done. The database is humming on the desk top computer. (Thanks, Liz!) But there are still a few things that we need to help fill things out.

If you have any of the following items that you could donate to the Library, we sure would appreciate it:

digital camera (for tracking tools)
folding chairs
file cabinet
curtain rods and curtains
surge protector
printer
garbage can
two counter stools
thin lucite (or acrylic glass) sheets to help protect our walls

Remember: since we're a fiscally sponsored project of the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition (GPUAC), all donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted under law.

Thanks!

Thanks, USP!

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:35:00 +0000

Last month, the University of the Sciences became our first Community Supporter with a contribution of $500. USP, located two blocks east of the Tool Library, has over 2,500 students and 145 full-time faculty. It specializes in teaching students in the pharmaceutical, science, and health care industries.

And a very special thank you to Elizabeth Bressi-Stoppe, USP's Vice President for Community Partnerships for making this partnership work.

Check out the Library this Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:28:00 +0000

We're going to ease into our official opening by having a work day this Saturday, 9/1, from 9am-2pm.

Please come out, and stay for an hour or all day. There's plenty of work to be done.

We'll be hanging our aluminum sign out front, flyering the neighborhood, putting up peg boards, accepting tool donations, and much more.

Thanks Woodland Building Supply!

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:22:00 +0000

Special thanks to our neighbors, Woodland Building Supply. They recently donated $450 worth of lumber to help us build our check out counter and shelves. Larry Reese and the staff at Woodland have been great supporters, and they run a really great shop. We look forward to working closely with them in the future.

The West Philly Tool Library blog begins

noreply@blogger.com (Tool Library) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 03:11:00 +0000

On this page, we will post the latest news and updates about the Tool Library. Come back often to see how the Library is moving towards its grand opening.