Tool Libraries: The Sharpest Tack in the Shed
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 08. 7.07
This is one of those stories we should’ve done aeons ago. But we keep getting distracted by all the news of fresh endeavours. There is nothing new about tool libraries (the famous Berkeley Tool Lending Library was established back in 1979 and now contains over 2,500 tools), but it is easy to get entranced by the siren song of new gizmos. And ironically that is the point. Our consumer society is predicated around us owning all this 'stuff.' When really what we want is not so much to own it, but to use it. Libraries are perfect examples of this. We read books without having to buy them. Community toy libraries, which we have noted, provide the same delightful function. Little Johnny tires of that train set, so you swap it for a box of Lego. A tool library is no different. For those rare times when you need a ladder, rubber plunger or circular saw you just borrow it from the library. In some places there’s a nominal change, whilst in others the service is free. Either way it beats all of us owning wheel barrows, pipe snakes or post hole diggers and never using them.
This way the energy expended in making such gadgets can be justified. Just how many lawn mowers do you and your neighbours truly need? Tool libraries are such a brilliant idea it’s wonder every community doesn’t have one. Wikipedia has a useful list of one that might be near you. If not, check out how others operate and work with your municipality to get one happening locally.
See also product service systems (PSS).
I wish there was one in my town, those hire centres are not cheap!
I find it interesting how the influx of cheap goods has meant that people have bought a lot more of these 'miscellaneous' tools and products. Stuff that would have been uneconomic to buy before suddenly looks attractive, even though it will probably get used once that year, then stay in the garage!
When I was in design school, I did a rough Life Cycle Analysis calculation on a tool library, and found it reduced the impact of tool use by 95%. Tool libraries are the greatest thing ever. There should be a tool shed in every cul-de-sac.
I love this idea too, wish we had one. I bet they improve economic productivity too because people can use a tool to save time doing a task that would have taken longer otherwise.
I think it's ridiculous that every house in the street owns a relatively expensive lawnmower only to have it sitting in the garage (taking up valuable space) for 99.9% of the time.
A good example of the sustainability of a good tool library would be the weed-eater (weed-whacker) that I bought a few years ago. It was the cheapest model and a complete waste of money since the nylon string broke within seconds of using it. A decent quality tool would have saved me that money and the waste of a low quality tool.
Ben
Where does one get the poster you used to illustrate this story? It's great!
Yeh, sorry Spidra, forgot to credit the source. It's via AllPosters, and they call its 'Garden Tools.' (this link takes you there.) Hope that helps. W.
I love this idea too. Even if they had these simple tools at hire shops, it's be better than buying them.
I love the poster too!
Portland (Oregon) has a tool Library too for residents of North Portland. You can check out there site here: http://www.northportlandtoollibrary.org/
Love this idea! Tool libraries are such a huge help when needing tools. Thanks!
Personally, I use a combination of "old skool" products and new gadget equipment.
Couldn't get any job done without the combo of both.