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This project was eligible for matching funds through Knight Foundation Match Challenge for Saint Paul Tool Library

Saint Paul Tool Library

We are building a tool library in Saint Paul!  Our goal is to provide Saint Paul residents will a full assortment of tools and classes for one low annual membership fee.

Leader

John Bailey

Location

750 Prior Ave. N Saint Paul, MN 55104

About the project

The Saint Paul Tool Library will be a membership-based nonprofit providing low cost access to over a thousand home improvement tools. We will carry basic hand tools, power tools, ladders, and some gardening tools. If funding goals are met, we plan to offer access to a workshop space.

Fortunately, we are not starting from square one. The Northeast Minneapolis Tool Library (NEMTL) opened a little over one year ago and already has over 400 members. NEMTL is helping us navigate the logistics of opening and running a tool library. The Saint Paul Tool Library will actually be a branch of NEMTL, which allows us to use their non-profit status (making your donation tax deductible), share their insurance policy, and learn from their mistakes and successes on how to run a tool library.

We want everyone to have easy access to the tools they need, which is why inventory and availability will be viewable online. You will be able to check out tools for one week at a time, however, if no one has reserved the same tool than it may be kept longer.

The planned workshop space may also be reserved.  If your garage is cluttered or your apartment is too small, you'll still have a space to work on your projects. We will also be offering workshops to help you learn how to use new tools and try new techniques that will allow you to tackle projects like a pro. Who knows, you may even be able to use your newfound skills to get a job or start a business!

Help us make this dream a reality so that together we can build a stronger community!
 

The Steps

We spent winter, spring and summer touring possible locations, raising money, building partnerships and putting everything necessary in place to open the doors this fall. All we need now is the capital to make it happen. Help us reach our goal than we will be able to do the following:

1) Sign a lease on our space and move in.

We are moving into the former American Can Factory building that will the future home of Can Can Wonderland. It's an  amazing building located on Prior Avenue between Menards and the Compost Site on Pierce Butler Route. While the location and building work great, we will be responsible to develop it into a functioning tool library.

2) Tool Drive

We believe the garages, basements, and tool sheds of Saint Paul are filled with excess, rarely used tools that people are eager to see put to good use....and even get a tax deduction!  As a good comparison, 85% of the tools in the NEMTL inventory have been donated. We have also been frequently asked by supporters if they can donate their tools now! 

Additionally, if we reach our stretch goal we'll be able to purchase new tools so that we have everything you'll need and multiples of the most popular items.

3) Hire Staff

If we are able to reach or even pass our stretch goal than we will be able to offer extended hours and potentially even hire more staff.

4) Open The Library!

Why we‘re doing it

The Saint Paul Tool Library's mission is to be a community resource that cultivates a more resilient and equitable community and reduces waste by giving residents low cost access to tools, training and workshop spaces.

The tax deductibility of your contribution may be affected by goods or services received. Please contact your financial advisor with questions regarding your donation.

$13,821.62 / $12,910.00