I’m totally stoked. The vision of a library is floating in my mind like sugar plums are supposed to do. This time it’s a tool library–the new SE Portland Tool Library! For those of you who haven’t discovered the joy of tool libraries, they’re like a regular library… only for tools. You can check out the saws, hammers, ladders, tile cutters, etc. that you want to use, but not buy. Oh, and it’s all FREE. North Portland has long sustained a lovely tool library, but (not surprisingly) they don’t let outsiders come in and rent their stuff. Well, now SE has a tool library of its own, thanks to SE Uplift: the SE Portland Tool Library, or SEPTL for short. (I hope we pronounce it Seep-tul (which sounds like Eva or Wall-e), not Sep-tul (which sounds like septic.) And tomorrow they’re having an event–the perfect chance to get acquainted with this new SE resource. Here’s the 411, directly from the SEPTL News Site:
Our first big Event – March 20th between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm!
Come check out the fledgling Southeast Portland Tool Library. Enjoy coffee, tea and delicious pastries as you make your way through the library, meeting members and volunteers along the way.
You’ll learn how the process works so you’ll be ready to spring to action come time for your next tool need.
You’ll also learn what tools and services are still needed prior to opening in May.
This would be a great time for you to clean out your garage! This year, think about donating some of those gently used tools to the Southeast Portland Tool Library to share with your neighbors.
Tool Library is at the St David’s Episcopal Church at 2800 SE Harrison.
Hope to see you there!
I am so ready for this… now where’s that plan for a homemade trellis? I got itchy fingers–itchy to build a project or two! I hope that my fellow FoPo-istas contribute some good tools– I’ll be scoping out my own personal collection for possible donation pieces. Hope you’ll do the same!
Top photo by flattop341.
BTW, anyone can add an event to this site’s calendar. (However, you might have to register first.) I have added an event for the SEPTL party at http://fosterpowellpdx.com/events/2010/03/20/se-pdx-tool-lib.
It opened on May 1st (I posted a story, but just deleted it as I didn’t realize you had already posted this one…). They’re open Saturdays from 9am to 2pm. One may borrow up to 7 tools at a time, which must be returned by the following Saturday. Their online list of home & garden tools is pretty impressive, and ever-growing. A grand opening celebration is planned for Sat May 15th, and there will be raffle prizes to be won – I posted info on the calendar.
Thanks for that… I need a better system for knowing when other people post stories. I wish there was an auto email sent or something. I’ll see what I can do. This is a fantastic resource for the neighborhood, and after spending part of the day building stands for soundboard with my bandmates, I’m excited to have it!Also: I had no idea that the Mystery Hole existed… weird.~C
I’m stoked – I already plan to borrow the power washer for some high up exterior cleaning, and hope they have a Sawzall to even out some fence posts. Re: the Mystery Hole, I can’t remember how I came across that link, but apparently they no longer offer public tours / viewing…a shame.-D