West Philly Tool Library

West Philly's Premier Backyard Compost Bin

2009-05-30T11:29:00.003-04:00

Michael Froehlich used these Tool Library tools: cordless drill, table saw with dado blade, chop saw, staple gun, tape measure, chalk line.

Free Basic Home Repair Classes!

2009-05-09T09:49:00.004-04:00

Saunders Park Neighbors & The West Philly Tool Library present
A series of hands-on classes for community members

Free
Basic Home Repair Classes

Learn how to fix basic problems in your house
& understand how to judge the work of contractors you hire

Community Room
Rowan House
325 North 39th Street

Each class starts at 6:30pm and ends at 8:30pm
Thurs, May 21 Introduction to using power tools
Thurs, May 28 Basic carpentry
Thurs, June 4 How to install and repair drywall
Thurs, June 11 Understanding the electricity in your house
Thurs, June 18 Understanding the plumbing in your house
Thurs, June 25 Painting tips and tricks

Participants attending four classes will receive a gift certificate for 50% off an annual membership to the West Philly Tool Library located at 4620 Woodland Avenue (regular price: $20.)

Everyone welcome! Women! Men! Owners! Renters! Seniors! Students!

Registration is required. To register, please call the Tool Library at 215-833-3190 or email Stacey at info@westphillytools.org.

Beautiful new Tool Library T-shirts have arrived

2009-04-30T10:38:00.001-04:00

Want to wear your support for the Tool Library on your sleeve? Come pick up a brand new t-shirt. The shirts are made by a local unionized shop. The three-color silkscreening was done by our friends at Reclaim, a print shop on Baltimore and 49th. They're available at the Tool Library for only $13.

We're looking for volunteers

2009-04-29T19:35:00.002-04:00

As you may have noticed, the Tool Library has seen a dramatic increase in our membership since it has turned warm.

We're looking for a few volunteers to help us keep the library organized, check in/our tools, and do other assorted projects.

Do you have a few hours? Please contact us at info@westphillytools.org. Thanks!

Tool Library to be featured at Ignite Philly 3

2009-04-29T19:33:00.002-04:00

The Tool Library has been invited to present at Ignite Philly 3, a regular series featuring scientists, artists, and activists showcasing their new ideas. Participants have five minutes to talk their way through 20 slides to explain their project.

Interested in hearing about what's new in Philadelphia? Come out to Johnny Brenda's this Saturday, May 2nd.

Thanks to everyone who came out for our one-year anniversary

2009-04-29T19:28:00.002-04:00

Our one-year anniversary party held last month was a wild success. Thanks to everyone who came out. As part of our tool drive, we collected over 20 power tools and hundreds of other tools. The Philadelphia Inquirer did a great front-page article on the Tool Library's anniversary, too.

Still have tools you would like to donate to the Tool Library? Click here.

UCHS Announces 2009 Technical Assistance Program

2009-04-23T19:02:00.003-04:00

Richard Dretsch, UCHS Board Member:

The University City Historical Society (UCHS) is, for the third year in a row, sponsoring a Technical Assistance Program (TAP) in partnership with the Community Design Collaborative of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The TAP provides West Philadelphia property owners with two hours of on-site, face-to-face consultation with an architect or building preservation expert.

Most of the residential buildings in University City are over a hundred years old. And while architectural character and history are, in part, what draw many of us to the area, older properties can be a serious technical and financial challenge to maintain. They have special maintenance needs and it can be difficult to know what should be fixed first, who to call, how much it will cost, and which parts of the project are possible to do on your own versus those best left to professionals. The TAP program is designed to address these types of questions.

Those who apply and are chosen to participate in the program will have the exterior of their property examined by a building professional who can offer advice on issues which, depending upon your needs, may include foundations and drainage, roofing and gutters, porch repair and painting, energy conservation or any other exterior problems. Each consultation is followed up by a brief written report given to the property owner that outlines the TAP professional’s findings.

TAP consultation is only available to UCHS members as a benefit of membership. UCHS membership is only $20/year for households or $10 for seniors. Other benefits include subscription to On the West Side, the society’s regular members’ newsletter; registration on UCHS’s Grapevine e-mail preservation listserve; access to UCHS members’ local Contractors/Suppliers Referral List; and invitations or discounts to UCHS sponsored events, including house tours, workshops, date plaques, and publications. Those interested in becoming a member of UCHS and applying for the Technical Assistance Program consultation get copies of the membership and TAP applications at www.uchs.net, email info@uchs.net or call (215) 387-3019.

Applying for TAP consultation is easy and inexpensive. Applicants are asked to briefly describe their exterior renovation priorities on the TAP application by May 15, 2009 and provide a handful of photographs documenting the existing condition of problem areas. If you are chosen to participate in the program, you will be asked to pay a $25 registration fee. The dozen properties which receive these services this year is limited by the number of participating TAP building professionals; UCHS will select applicants who demonstrate the greatest need.

The owners of the dozen properties chosen will be given dates for their TAP consultations later this summer.

We're in The Inquirer!

2009-03-21T13:30:00.003-04:00

The West Philly Tool Library is in today's issue of The Philadelphia Enquirer!

One Year Anniversary Tool Drive

2009-03-12T19:00:00.003-04:00

Haven’t used that sander since the Clinton Administration?
Old roommate never picked up his ratchet set?
Get another drill for Christmas?

Don’t let them collect dust in your basement!

The West Philly Tool Library is celebrating its One Year Anniversary with a Tool Drive!

Saturday, March 21st from 9am to 2pm.
4620 Woodland Avenue

All donations are tax deductible and will benefit all the members of the library.

Bring a friend who hasn’t yet joined and celebrate one year of our community experiment in sharing and self-reliance.

Coffee and snacks will be provided.

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

2009-03-07T11:57:00.001-05:00

How has the new Stimulus bill affected the tax credits for energy efficient home improvements?

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. The highlights are:

* The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.
* The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.
* The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost.
* The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009–2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.
* The $200 cap on windows has been removed.

SUMMARY OF TAX CREDITS FOR HOMEOWNERS.

All Tax Credit FAQs.

Member Project: Chicken Coop

2009-02-28T12:25:00.002-05:00

Member Zoe used Tool Library Tools to make this beautiful Chicken Coop:

Build a backyard chicken coop.

Raising chickens in the city.

Urban Chickens.

Send pictures of your Tool Library-assisted projects to info@westphillytools.org.

Yelp for The Tool Library

2009-02-05T19:34:00.004-05:00

Yelp is a great website where you can read and share reviews of local businesses, organizations, and restaurants. Founding Tool Library Committee Stacey Hendricks recently wrote this about The Tool Library:

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: I'm a founding member on the steering committee of the WPTL- With that shocking admission I must also state that I'm a regular member who uses the library to help keep up with work on and around my house.

Tool Library--It sounded pleasantly odd when I first heard those two words together. Good, but abnormal, like chocolate syrup in orange juice (try it and you'll know what's up.) The West Philly Tool Library is just what it sounds like- A place in West Philly where members come to borrow tools. You don't even have to be a resident of West Philadelphia, that's just where it's located. It is a non profit organization fiscally sponsored by the GPUAC, and supported by members and many public and private funders. Several hundred members have paid $20.00 to join for a year, or $200.00 for a lifetime membership. About a thousand different tools were in the collection at last count. From a screwdriver to a circular saw to a 40' extension ladder there are a lot of ways to get a job done. To be a member one has to provide a couple of references, read and sign a few forms, and pay-up. All those details can be found on the website, http://www.westphillyt..., or the related blog.

It's currently open Saturday 9am-2pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30pm-9:30pm

I really have meant to explain my experience using the library, which has been consistently awesome. I haven't had to check out one of the big ladders yet, but this Spring I will, and I won't have to pay a fee for a few hours at the rental place, and scramble to get done to avoid a penalty. Rushing on a ladder is not a lot of fun. There are no per use charges for tools at the WPTL, and loans are for one week. Get it back in time though as there are fines for not returning tools, just like a book library-other folks may need the hammer drill as well. I wish it had existed when I first moved to Philadelphia 10+ years ago, the painting tools that I bought to fix up my first dumpy apartment got left on the curb when I downsized to a smaller place. I could have borrowed them and bought better paint, or donated them to the WPTL when I was done and gotten a tax write-off. I could have also borrowed a screw-gun to hang some shelves instead of making due with milkcrates. Oh well, it's here now and when It warms up and I need a weedwacker to clean up my yard, or a wheelbarrow to haul some compost I know where to go.

I've also sat in on some of the home repair classes that are offered, and learned some new ways to get things done. Volunteering with community groups that borrowed tools for cleanups and work days has made me feel pretty swell inside too. The truth is the tools are great but for me the best of it is the many lovely, like-minded, but curiously diverse friends that I've made.

Old houses around the city were complicated technological marvels of their time, that with very basic maintenance can last for a few hundred years. They're still complicated, take care of as much as you can yourself. If you need a tool that you don't have be sure to check out the West Philly Tool Library. Try it and you'll know what's up!

Add your own Tool Library Reviews here.

Member Projects!

2009-02-03T19:35:00.007-05:00

Tool Library Member Jeff e-mailed us "a couple photos from my bathroom remodeling that is almost complete. I used the Tool Library tools to mix and apply mortar, grout and mastic for floor and wall tile. People have to be crazy not to take advantage of the Tool Library!"

Send us pics from your own Tool Library-assisted projects and we'll feature them here!

Tool Spotlight: 10" Dewalt Table Saw

2009-01-29T20:11:00.002-05:00

Don't you just wanna do some woodwork with this?

Check Out Our Books!

2009-01-24T12:10:00.007-05:00

Need guidance with your next home repair project? The West Philly Tool Library is now lending out an ever-expanding collection of books. So if you need tips on remodeling, home storage, plumbing, trim work, tiling, decks, or wiring, stop on by and peruse through our selection.

What a Summer!

2008-10-11T12:50:00.000-04:00

It's been quite a summer here at the Tool Library. And although you may not have received an email newsletter update for awhile, don't think we haven't been busy! We now have over 200 members--225 to be exact--and approximately 800 tools. Eric, our tool coordinator, has done a great job staffing the Tool Library every Tuesday and Thursday night from 6:30 to 8:30pm and Saturdays from 9:00am to 2:00pm.

If you haven't been in for awhile, come see us sometime!

Not yet a member?
Join Now!

Have tools to Donate?
Donate Here.

The Tool Library Wants Your Input!

2008-10-11T12:48:00.000-04:00

Got a second? We'd love to hear your feedback about how the Tool Library is doing in meeting your needs.

Please take a moment and click on the link below to complete our survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=qOjDQgPw6UK3cJSGWZeXHA_3d_3d

We're interested in knowing how we can improve to meet our members' needs better. Thanks!

Home Repair Classes a Great Success

2008-10-11T12:40:00.000-04:00

Thanks again to David Heaton of The Other Carpenter and our friends at The West/Southwest Neighborhood Advisory Council for putting together the recently completed home repair classes. Mr. Heaton led a five-part weekly series that featured classes on plumbing, drywalling, windows and doors, electrical, painting, and more!
If you didn't get a chance to attend these classes, stay tuned. We're considering hosting a new series in the near future.

Tool Library Makes New Friends

2008-10-11T12:30:00.005-04:00

We've had a chance to work with some great partners this summer. In June, we loaned over 50 tools to TeenWorks, a program of the Partnership CDC. Students in the TeenWorks program have been learning landscaping in West Philly this summer.In July, we loaned tools to Girls' Leadership Camp, an affordable overnight camp for Philly girls. They used the tools to build woodworking projects at camp.

In August, we loaned dozens of tools to the Wharton Leadership Program. In collaboration with KaBOOM! (a non-profit organization that builds playgrounds), they built a a playground at Wissahickon Charter School. Click here to see photos of their day.And this month, we look to be loaning tools to the Jubilee School to help them with a project with The United Way to clean up their grounds.

Basic home repair classes at the Tool Library

2008-06-13T13:14:00.001-04:00

The West Philly Tool Library is proud to partner with The West/Southwest Neighborhood Advisory Committee, The Other Carpenter, and The Partnership CDC to offer a summer series on basic home repair.

David Heaton, the Executive Director of The Other Carpenter, will lead four workshops on basic carpentry, electric, and plumbing every Monday in July from 5:30 to 7:00pm at the Tool Library.

Monday, July 7: Carpentry

- understanding board sizes and uses

- understanding framing and finish work

- learning the circular saw and miter box saw

Monday, July 14: Drywall

- understanding sizes and types of dry-wall

- installing dry-wall

- spackling

Monday, July 21: Doors & Windows

- understanding doors and windows

- installing a door and a window

Monday, July 28: Plumbing & Electric

- changing outlets, switches, and an electrical fixture

- identifying parts for and assembling a sink and a toilet

The series costs $20 for all four classes. Participants will receive a certificate for a free one-year Tool Library membership.

Interested? Contact Jessi Averill at The Partnership CDC to reserve your spot. Jessi can be reached at (215) 662-1612 ext 14 or javerill@thepartnershi

(image credit.)

Tool Library expands our hours

2008-06-02T10:44:00.003-04:00

We're pleased to announce that the Tool Library has expanded our hours. Starting this week, we'll now be open:

Tuesdays 6:30-8:30pm
Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm
Saturday 9am-2pm

Now there's no need to wait until Saturday to borrow (or return!) tools.

Please welcome Eric, our new tool coordinator

2008-06-02T10:43:00.001-04:00

We've been able to expand our hours in large part because we now have a part-time staff person. The next time you're in, please welcome Eric, our new tool coordinator, to the Tool Library. Although Eric's been a member of the Library almost since the very beginning, he's just been hired as our first paid staff. We're elated he's with us.

Slight change to our tool policy

2008-06-02T10:42:00.001-04:00

To accommodate our new hours, we've changed our tool policy slightly. Officially, our tool policy used to state that all tools were due the following Saturday. Now that we're open more frequently, all tools must now be returned seven days after they are borrowed. So if you borrow a hammer on Tuesday, please return it on or before the following Tuesday.

Reminder to return on time

2008-06-02T10:40:00.000-04:00

Traffic has started to pick up at the Tool Library (as you may have noticed.) In the past, we've been pretty lenient about allowing multiple renewals. But we're going to start becoming more strict. Please return your tools within seven days. If you absolutely must renew, you can do so once by calling or coming in personally to the Library as long as no one else has reserved the tool. If you don't renew, we'll be imposing a $5 per tool fine per day the Tool Library is open. This is consistent with the tool policy that's always existed. Of course, we'd prefer not to fine anyone, so please be considerate of your fellow tool library members.

We're hiring!

2008-04-15T09:11:00.001-04:00

That's right, the Tool Library is seeking a paid 10 hours/week tool coordinator to staff the Tool Library. Check out the job description by clicking here:

http://www.westphillytools.org/tool_coordinator_job_description.pdf

If you're interested in applying, please do so quickly. We're hoping to expand our hours in May. (And if you know someone who might be interested, please pass the job description on to them!)

The Tool Library is also seeking a few people to sit on an ad-hoc hiring committee to interview applicants for the paid tool coordinator position and make hiring recommendations to the Steering Committee. We imagine that the Hiring Committee will meet approximately three times within the next two months. It's a great way to become more involved in your tool library. If you're interested, please email Stacey Hendricks, the volunteer coordinator, at werkzeugmann@hotmail.com.