CILIPS East visit the Edinburgh Tool Library

Branch: East Branch | Category: Blog, Branches and Groups

Lauren Thow reports on the CILIPS East Branch visit to the Edinburgh Tool Library

On a cold March morning a group of excited, but slightly bleary eyed, Librarians gathered outside the Edinburgh Tool Library Workshop in Leith.  This was the first of four ‘Library Bagging’ events arranged by Cilips East Branch for 2018.  Having never been to a ‘tool library’ before and having limited experience with tools and DIY I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I was however excited and apprehensive, in equal measure, by the rumour that we might get to try out the tools (and I wasn’t disappointed!).

Our visit started with a talk by Chris Hellawell, Tool Library founder and Tool Librarian.  Chris explained the history and vision behind the Library.  His inspiration for the Edinburgh Tool Library (the first ever in the UK!) came from the Toronto Tool Library in Canada, a social enterprise that allows members to borrow equipment.

I have always worked in long-established Libraries so it was particularly interesting for me to hear the stages involved in setting up a new service, such as recruiting trustees and registering for charitable status.  Chris explained that because no other tool libraries existed in the UK gaining charitable status took longer than expected.  After a lot of hard work the first Edinburgh Tool Library was opened in an old police box on Leith Walk in March 2015.  The Library has expanded since then into the Shore in Leith, Portobello, Craigmillar and Piershill.

What really impressed me though was the realisation that the Tool Library is not just a lending library.  Not only do they run mentoring and volunteer schemes but they also get involved in community projects.  Chris told us about their recent voluntary involvement in creating an outdoor activity area for a local primary school.

After we were more familiar with the workings of the library we were let loose with the tools.  As a group we were challenged to build a mini Library that would then be painted by the Library volunteers and then placed in a community setting somewhere in Edinburgh for the community to use and refill.  I felt that Chris was very brave allowing me to use power tools (!) but under Chris’ expert guidance we were able to assemble a Library fit for purpose and are excited to find out where in Edinburgh it ends up.

There was so much more to the Tool Library than I had initially expected and I thoroughly enjoyed the visit.  If you are not already a member then I would highly recommend it and if you’ve got any tools gathering dust consider donating them – they will definitely be put to good use!

More information about the Edinburgh Tool Library can be found at: https://edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk/story/