North Portland Tool Library

 

The North Portland Tool Library (NPTL) is a new community resource that loans a wide variety of tools to community members. The Tool Library benefits North Portland residents by reducing the costs of maintaining and improving their homes, building community and sustaining diverse, livable neighborhoods.

 

North Portland is a diverse and affordable area of the city.  As North Portland receives an influx of new homeowners, a primary goal of the Tool Library is to maintain affordability by providing this free resource to primarily low to moderate-income North Portland residents of the Portsmouth , St. Johns , Kenton and Arbor Lodge neighborhoods.

 

Who:           The Tool Library will be guided by a Steering Committee, administered by a Project Coordinator and staffed by community volunteers.

 

What:          The Tool Library will loan garden, carpentry, plumbing and electrical power and hand tools for the maintenance and restoration of homes, yards and neighborhoods.

 

How:           Tools will be acquired, engraved and catalogued in a computer database, where user information will also be stored. The Tool Library will initially be open two days a week, one weekday and one weekend day.  Users will be able to borrow tools for up to 4 days.  Those holding tools past due will incur fines.

 

Location :     Basement of the historic Kenton Firehouse, 2209 N. Schofield, Portland 97217

 

Funding:     Fiscal Sponsor: North Portland Neighborhood Services, 503-823-4524

The Tool Library has received grant funding from Portland Housing and Community Development’s Community Initiative Small Grants Program,.  The Tool Library is also seeking financial support from the Metro North Portland Community Enhancement Grant, private foundations and private business.  We accept financial contributions (if writing check-please write to Kenton Action Plan) and may accept some tool donations upon inspection.

 

Working      The Tool Library will seek partner ship s with organizations and skilled trades

Together:     people to sponsor at least 3 basic home improvement skills workshops per year. 

                   The Tool Library is building partner ship s with organizations and agencies, including:  Peninsula Community Development Corporation (affordable housing), Growing Gardens (low-income household garden installations) and the Bureau of Environmental Services Downspout Disconnect program (clean rivers). 

 

Successful tool libraries can be found in Missoula , MT , Seattle , WA , Berkeley and Oakland , See www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/tool and www.oaklandlibrary.org.

nopotool_library@yahoo.com

Contact: Jason Hatch at 503-285-3252#3