Month: May 2013

Tool Library and Maker Space coming to Danforth East!

Did you hear about the tool library that started in Parkdale a few months ago?  Did you think it was amazing? Did you think “why don’t we have that here in the east end?” If so, here is some exciting news:  the people who started it in the west end are bringing it to Danforth East!  Please read the note below from Executive Director, Ryan Dyment so you can see how you can be a part of making this happen for our neighbourhood:

Dear Danforth East,

My name is Ryan Dyment and I am one of the co-founders of the Toronto Tool Library, now open in Parkdale. After a hugely successful grand opening of Toronto’s first Tool Library in March of this year, I am excited to announce the upcoming launch of our second location in the Danforth area – only this time with more tools and more options for the DIY crowd.

A Tool Library is very similar to a public library, however instead of only offering books to borrow, we offer a wide range of hand and power tools, gardening equipment and just about everything you need to renovate or beautify your home and neighborhood at a small fraction of the cost of purchasing or renting these tools yourself.  People like the idea because it’s simple and just makes sense. After all, most people generally need a tool for just a short period so owning tools is expensive, increases clutter and is wasteful.

For just a $50 annual fee, the Toronto Tool Library in Parkdale now offers over 700 tools including power generators, hammer drills and router tables, most of which were donated directly by the community. Generous grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, The Home Depot Canada Foundation and corporate sponsors including the Salvation Army, Canadian Tire and Wurth Canada also helped stock our inventory. The project has garnered substantial press coverage including the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, CBC, City TV and more.

For the East Side Tool Library, we are thinking even bigger. This time the project will also include 3D printers and a laser cutter as well as tools that are more difficult to transport such as a Band Saw and CNC Router for members to use on site.  Workshops will be offered for members to learn how to use the tools and be part of the growing network of ‘Maker Spaces’ around the world.

For this exciting initiative to happen we do need your help. We are in the final stages of securing our location at Danforth and Coxwell and we will be renovating the space, building our furniture and stocking the shelves with a starting inventory for our grand opening this fall. If you would like to see this project happen please help us by doing one of the following:

1. Become a Founding Member: Founding Members will gain private access to in-house tools including 3D printers, a CNC Router, a laser cutter and more. Members must commit to monthly fees of $75 for 6 months along with a modest initiation fee. Tool Library membership is included. (Please note, Tool Library memberships alone are just $50 per year). Contact me to learn more.
2. Donate your tools: Help us stock the shelves for our East Side Library! If you have any lightly-used tools that are gathering dust at home, please let us know and we can pick them up and make them available to the whole community.
3. Volunteer: As we are building a DIY community, we want to renovate our new location ourselves. If you’d like to help with our renovations during July and August please contact us by clicking here.
4. Spread the Word! For this project to be a success people need to know about it.  Please tell your friends and neighbours and let’s help build the sharing economy on the Danforth!

Many thanks,

Ryan Dyment

Executive Director
Institute for a Resource-Based Economy

To email Ryan with questions or comments, click here