The new Peterborough Tool Library has launched a crowdfunding campaign offering advanced memberships to the library that include tool borrowing, discounts at local businesses, and other perks.
“It’s a great way for us to create awareness about the tool library and to offer members enticing incentives to buy their memberships early,” explains committee member Pete Mack.
Mack says the membership drive will also give tool library organizers a strong sense of the community support for the idea.
An example of the sharing economy, the Peterborough Tool Library will offer easy access to hundreds of tools without the cost of purchasing or maintaining them. Members can borrow from a large selection of tools for the home and garden, for a small annual membership fee of $50 (plus $6.50 HST).
“We really want to make tools affordable and accessible,” says founding committee member Jen Feigin.
Other membership levels are also available, from student to household (two people at the same address) to community (five people at a small business or non-profit). As a reward for purchasing advance memberships, the tool library is offering up a number of perks, including a custom letterpress poster by local artist Jeff Macklin of Jackson Creek Press, a Milwaukee tape measure, or a rugged tool library tote bag.
Along with unlimited tool borrowing, members will receive buying discounts at many local businesses, including Merritt Home Hardware, Charlotte Paint and Wallpaper, Discount Car & Truck Rental, Living Rooms, and The Endeavour Centre — with more to come. The discounts will make it even more affordable for tool library members to complete their house and garden projects.
“The support from the business community to this idea has been really positive,” Feigin says.
The tool library is also seeking donations of tools from the community. Donated tools can be dropped off from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 at The Spill (414 George St. N., Peterborough). Tool library organizers will also be at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market at the Morrow Building on Saturday, April 2 to meet interested members and talk about the library.
Organizers expect to open the doors of the Peterborough Tool Library (to be located at 910 High Street, Unit 14) on the May long weekend.
“We can’t wait to get the doors open and to start seeing what our members will accomplish with our tools,” Feigin says.
The Peterborough Tool Library Indiegogo campaign can be found at www.indiegogo.com/projects/peterborough-tool-library
For more information and updates, visit the Peterborough Tool Library’s website at www.ptbotoollibrary.ca, Facebook page or follow them on Twitter @ptbotoollibrary.
