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Courtenay getting a tool library

New facility allows do-it-yourselfers to borrow tools
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Courtenay is getting its own tool library. FILE PHOTO

The SHED (Share, Help, Educate, Do) Tool Library is holding its grand opening on Sept. 22. The grand opening will take place at the tool library at 907 McPhee in Courtenay, from noon - 2 p.m., where people can tour the space, sign up for a membership, and enjoy refreshments.

A tool library is much like a book library, but for tools. Rather than needing to own every tool themselves, members of the library can borrow the tools they want and return them when they’ve completed their project. This saves people money, cuts down on waste from over-consumption, and reduces the need for storage space.

It also encourages people to try their own DIY projects who otherwise wouldn’t,” said board member Allison Trumble. “There are lots of people out there who might not be full-on handy but would love to try to put up a shelf on their own or start learning to build things. Without access to tools, they’re more likely to get someone else to do it than buy the tools they’d need. With a tool library available, they might just try it themselves.”

The board of the SHED has been working since 2015 to make the idea a reality.

“We’ve been working so hard on bringing this to fruition, we’re incredibly excited to finally get it off the ground,”said Trumble. “We’ve heard from so many people in the community how much they love this idea, and we can’t wait to see what people will do when they have access to this resource.”

The grand opening event kicks off a membership drive which will run through Nov 1. During this time membership packages will be discounted from $60 to $40. If you bring a friend to sign up at the same time, you both pay only $30. This includes a $20 lifetime co-op membership fee (refundable should you decide to leave the co-op) and covers your fees for a year of unlimited free tool borrowing.

The membership drive will wrap up with a carved pumpkin contest to be judged at Gladstone Brewery on Oct. 28. For more information, visit The Shed’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/theshedcv/