What is a Tool Library?
A Tool Library is just like a book library! You pay a monthly or annual membership, and then you can access our collection of over 2000 tools AND our workshop space!
Members can borrow a tool they only need for a few things, without paying several hundred dollars to buy it new.
Our founders asked “Why let tools go to waste in our basements when so many people could use them?” and from there created our delightful community driven space.
The Halifax Tool Library provides residents and community groups with everything they need to make projects happen. An electronic inventory system allows us to automatically track tools and display their availability online. We also have a community workshop, which provides space to work on projects and learn from our knowledgeable volunteers.
Who Needs a Tool Library?
- Apartment dwellers and anyone who doesn’t have space to store tools.
- Students and temporary residents who would hesitate to invest in a large collection.
- Anyone who wants to try something new without spending hundreds on tools.
- You!
What Does it Cost?
We offer Several Options!
4 Punch card: This allows you to borrow tools for 1 week per punch use. It does Not allow for renewals of tools.
Annual Membership: This gives members free access to all of our tools, as well as use of our community workshop, for a year.
Volunteer Membership: If you volunteer with the Halifax Tool Library and work 2 shifts per month, your membership fees are waived as our way of saying thank you for helping us work!
Please see our “Membership Options” page for a current price breakdown.
How You Can Help
Our Mission
Putting underused tools in the hands of people who need them.
Our Values
Access over ownership: There is no need for us to incur the cost of individual ownership when our needs could be met through sharing the resources we already have.
Promoting public spaces: We need places to congregate, socialize and learn. The Halifax Tool Library will provide the opportunity for people to build new relationships as they learn how to build and repair their objects.
Combating stigma and barriers to participation: We believe that everyone should be able to make, do and learn the things they desire. No matter what level of experience you have with tools, or where you come from, we want you to know that you are valued as a member of the Halifax Tool Library community.
Lifelong learning and mentorship: We know that everyone learns differently. The Halifax Tool Library will be a place to share what you know, and learn what you don’t.
As the Halifax Tool Library is a volunteer-run non-profit society, volunteers are our life blood. If you would like to help make us one the best community organizations in Halifax, please check out our volunteer page. If you have questions, suggestions, or new ideas to share, don’t hesitate to contact us at Volunteer@halifaxtoollibrary.ca to discuss how you would like to be involved!
Who are we?
We are bunch of Enthusiastic Volunteers working as a community to run the Halifax Tool Library & Workshop!
Halifax Tool Library is a Registered Not for Profit, with a Volunteer Board of Directors.
How did We come to be?
See our original 2013 crowd funding Video: