Further Information

Welcome to
Reykjaviks Tool Library
Funding Page!

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Verkfærasafn Reykjavíkur
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What is a Tool Library ?

A Tool Library allows members to check out or borrow tools, equipment and "how-to" instructional materials, functioning as a library would for books, with a membership, which allow members to take tools home for repairs, projects and hobbies.

Please check out the awesome video from our great friend Lawrence Alvarez from the Toronto Tool Library. In this Ted Talk Lawrence explains what are tool libraries, how they help us and why share!

Where does this Idea comes from?

The idea of creating a tool library is based on the Circular Economy concept. In the video below you will be introduced to it, and hopefully you will also want to join in!

www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org

A little about me:

My name is Anna, I am originally from Brazil, duo Italian national, but I lived and studied in the UK for the past 10 years. I Studied Conservation and Restoration of Objects and Historical buildings and I have always loved my tools. As a hobby I used to make surfboards.

When I moved to Iceland a year ago I was excited to continue my hobby and to find new craft outlets, but then I discover the cost of tools here and how expensive it would be to continue to do the things I love. Even price for rental tools are a bit bananas lets be honest. Not only that, but the flat I moved in (we all know the rental market is crazy) didn't even have a hammer/ screwdriver to put my plain Ikea bed together. That made me think there must be many others in similar position to me and why are we not sharing?

I was also intrigued by the attitude people have towards buying new rather then repairing. This made me feel like there is a opportunity here in which we can all work together to create something where we can share skills and tools.

I been very lucky with my current job which allowed me to take some time off to go meet Lawrence Alvarez in person in Toronto at the Libraries and Sharing Depots. I was double lucky when I realised I was in Toronto during the Earth Day celebrations. I not only got to meet Lawrence and his amazing team and their bad ass libraries, but I also was able to see the largest repair cafe I ever seen in action and a awesome Drop Swop and Shop with a great panel of speaker on going wasteless.

Neither to say I made some friends for life and gained some incredible insight in how to run a tool library from the guys who have been making this happen for the past 5 years. I am extremely thankful to them and their willingness to help this project happen!

www.torontotoollibrary.com

How will it work?

The Reykjavik Tool Library will have 2 memberships:

Tool Newbie: 5.000kr per year
- Allows you to borrow tools for 3 days.
- Renew can be done on site if tool not already requested.
- May have extra fees for very expensive/high maintenance equipment.
- Late fees will apply.

Tool Pro: 8.000kr per year
- Allows you to borrow tools for 7 days.
- Renew can be done over the phone during opening hours if tool not already requested.
- Does not have any extra fees for equipment.
- Late fees will apply.

We are aware that some people would be unable to afford the basic membership and we want to make sure everybody has access to tools when needed (and we also know there are some lovely people out there). So we will also run a "Robin Hood" style membership, where a member who is able to afford, will pay forward to other future members. The Tool Player member will receive a Pro membership for themselves, which will also include a basic membership to a member of the community that unfortunately this year would not be able to afford one. The cost of this membership will be 10.000kr and will be renewed the following year as a Pro Membership, unless stated otherwise by the member.

All events run by the Tool Library (Monthly Repair Cafe, Sewing Club etc) will be free for members and we do ask that non members to contribute with a donation of their choice (maybe a tool you don't use, maybe a cake for when we are hard at repairing/sewing, which ever).

When will it open?

We are aiming to open the Tool Library by August 2018.

On its first year the tool library will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 5.30PM and 7.30PM. Those will be our pick up/drop off hours for tools. We will also aim to be open all day every Sunday for the different events, like Repair Cafe, Sewing Club, Community Craft Day etc.

What will we use the money raised here for?

We aim to buy more tools!

We are hopeful that we will get a grant from Rannis, which would allow us to lease the software needed called MyTurn, rent the space in Grandi for the Library to start, and buy the initial tool bundle.

If the grant is not given to us, we will not just give up, we will adapt, because we are nothing but flexible! So the money raised here will help us with the details mentioned above as well as buying new tools and gather our first ever members!

The memberships available here are slightly cheaper then the prices available from August. So get getting guys! Karolina Fund is a all or nothing platform, so we would really really really hope we can make our pledge, if not more! (Imagine all the tools, *drools*).

Don't forget, your first years membership will be cheaper, so you know, every little helps!

The Tool Library is also accepting tool donations! Got that weird metal thingy you are not actually sure what you can use it for? Bring it in!
You have a bad ass table saw that is way to big for your place and is just there gathering dust? Bring it in!
All in all just bring it in, we will look after it and make sure it get the 1000 uses it was born for.

Future Members!

Welcome!!

Once you choose your membership, you will receive a disclaimer from us that needs to be sign by all members. This disclaimer explains how the library will work, what to do in case of broken tools, how to use tools if you are unaware, late fees information, etc.

We would appreciate if you can sign it in person, or digitally and return it to us.

You will also receive a link to a online form that needs to be filled by all new members with some basic information. When you come to visit us the first time we will then provide you with your membership card.