Building a space, 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, ranging from basic hand tools to specialized equipment for growing, harvesting, and processing food. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast, homesteader, farmer, non-profit, school, or ecologically conscious small business, our Tool Library is here for you!
What's a tool library?
Part of a broader tool sharing movement, the Sunshine Coast 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 made available to everyone to share, run by organizations just like ours – they’re popping up all over North America!
What's the benefit?
By sharing tools, we reduce cost barriers to growing, preserving and accessing food, and empower folks in their creative and sustainability endeavours. We’re reducing our environmental impact, reducing waste, empowering skill-building, and you don’t need to buy or store big or expensive tools – but you still get to use them!
How does it work?
Sign up here, attend a quick orientation, then browse our inventory for the tools and equipment that interest you. You can reserve your tools online, and pick them up at the Tool Library with the self-checkout. Get those projects done, and return your tools with the self check-in, or renew online for a bit more time.
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, & grow the library. Tools must be returned clean and ready for the next member. 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 at the Tool Library. For this reason, 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, simply to support this resource in our community.
Want to support it?
Volunteer
This is the picture of grass-roots – community building community!
Join the Tool Library Team to help:
- 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 help with costs
Donate Tools
Donate that stuff, but you still get to use it whenever you want (along with everyone else in the community)! Win-win!
Donation Wish List: pressure washer, step ladder, apple press, wood splitter, XL propane burner, small hand power tools + batteries (drills, circular saw, jigsaw, reciprocating saw), sledgehammer, garden carts
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.
Entrance driveway is at 3146 Beach Avenue, or via the Gumboot parking lot
604.493.2252 ext.700
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, but you also get perks like local discounts, VIP early ticket sales to things like long table dinners & foodbox sales!
Volunteer
By volunteering with us you are contributing to food security on the coast, and ensuring we can continue to do good work in the community!
