The Sunshine Coast Tool Library
Building a community & future that’s sustainable and inclusive,
where sharing, skill-building, & resourcefulness thrive.
The Tool Library offers a diverse collection of tools that help to increase our community’s food security, from basic hand tools to specialized equipment for growing, harvesting, and processing food.
What's a tool library?
The Tool Library acts just like your local library, only lending tools rather than books. Tools are donated by people like you or bought with donations or grants, and are available to everyone to share. They’re popping up all over North America!
What's the benefit?
By sharing tools, we reduce barriers to growing, preserving and accessing food. We’re reducing our ecological impact, waste, cost, and empowering skill-building. You don’t need to buy or store big, expensive tools – but you still get to use them!
How does it work?
Sign up here, read the Member Guide, attend a quick orientation, and you’re rolling! You can reserve your tools online from home, and pick them up at the Tool Library 24/7 with the self-checkout, then check ’em back in when you’re done!
What's the fine print?
Membership is $49 per year. 24/7 access. Borrow up to 12 items at a time, most items for up to a week. $ Contributions are encouraged with each use to keep member fees low, & cover maintenance. Late fees are high. Everyone welcome.
The Focus
At first, our focus is on:
increasing food production locally,
minimizing food waste, and
providing equal access to otherwise unaffordable tools
Over time, as tools are donated and the inventory grows, tools will become available for almost any project you can dream up!
The Tool Library pairs with workshops to teach safety, nutrition, techniques, and skills.
Food security does not exist without food justice, and so accessibility is our number one priority. Our annual membership is as low as possible, and most items are free to borrow with the trust that people will pay what they are able, or donate to the Tool Library as a whole, to support this resource in our community.
FAQ
Does my One Straw Society membership include a tool library membership?
What if I can't afford $49 / year?
The tool library is meant to be accessible. Many folks who can pay more contribute a bit each time they borrow, and others would not be able to join if they had to pay at all. If you could make good use of the library but can not afford the fee, talk to us about paying what you can, or waiving the fee. You can still contribute what you can along the way if you make use of your membership.
Why are late fees so high?
It is critical to the existence and functionality of the Tool Library for tools to be on the shelf when they are supposed to be. Out of respect to other members, and for the reliability of the Tool Library as a resource for you and others, items must be returned on time.
When another member arrives to borrow equipment that is not there, it can be serious, costly, inconvenient, and threaten the reputation, membership, funding and existence of the library as a whole.
Most items are completely free, however, due to the importance of timely returns to the Tool Library, there are high late fees. These late fees scale based on the type of item they are, how in demand an item is, and how problematic it is for others if that item is not there when it’s needed.
You can avoid late fees by returning on time, or simply renew the item from home, if it has not already been reserved by another member.
Want to support it?
Volunteer
This is the picture of grass-roots – community building community!
Join the Tool Library Team to:
- Tinker and fix
putter, tighten screws, top up oil, shuffle things around, and fix things - Organize
use our software to keep track of members and tools; make signs, labels, and guides for tools; update the software and inventory online for members, etc. - Spread the Word
take pictures and tell stories about new and interesting tools, and how people are using them & share on social media - Help people
orient and support new members, manage inquiries, and help set people up with memberships
Tool Library volunteers get free, unlimited use of the Tool Library!
Donate to keep it going!
Donate Tools
Donate that stuff, but you still get to use it whenever you want (along with everyone else in the community)! Win-win!
Wish List: pressure washer, small step ladder, scaffolding, apple press, wood splitter, XL propane burner, small hand power tools + batteries (drills, circular saw, jigsaw, reciprocating saw), sledgehammer, garden carts, drum chicken plucker, small/medium egg incubators
To donate, email us (toollibrary@onestraw.ca) to let us know what you would like to donate (brand, model, and its purpose); its condition (new, how old, etc,); and whether you have all parts, cords, and instructions.
Tools & equipment should:
- be clean and ready to use
- be a high quality and durable brand
- be in new or excellent condition
- have all parts and cords.
We do not have the ability to manage donations that need repairs, power tools more than 20 years old, or brands that are low quality or otherwise unable to hande the wear & tear of tool library use.
Not sure? Get in touch! toollibrary@onestraw.ca
Find us
One Tiny Farm, in the heart of Roberts Creek’s village, behind the Gumboot restaurant.
Enter via 3146 Beach Avenue, or through the Gumboot parking lot
604.493.2252
The Tool Library is made possible by gifts of time, funds, and tools from dozens of community members just like you, and these key supporters.
Become a member
Membership supports our work and keeps you connected, plus you get perks like discounts, VIP ticket sales to long table dinners & foodbox!
Volunteer
Curiosity, some passion, a bit of time, and commitment can make magic! There are dozens of ways to be a part of it all!
