The Rotary Club of Youngtown and Rotary Club of Kings Meadows have secured $35,000 in funding through the Tasmanian Community Fund for an extension to their existing building to house the new Launceston Tool Library, and the Council has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Youngtown club to make the project a reality.
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said that when complete, the Launceston Tool Library would provide a new service to the community, reduce resource consumption, and divert waste from landfill.
A Tool Library works just like a book library, but instead members borrow tools and equipment (e.g. power tools, hand tools, garden tools, sports and camping equipment etc.). Tools and equipment are donated or collected, tested and tagged, and then catalogued to create an online inventory that allows members to borrow for a short term period (e.g. up to 7 days with an option to renew). An annual fee is paid by members which covers the cost of tool maintenance, leasing fees, utility bills, marketing, insurances etc. A Tool Library aims to be financially sustainable.
The Tool Library aims to provide Launceston an opportunity to reduce resource consumption, divert waste from landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to social equity, build community resilience and offer a great way to learn new skills and engage with the community. The management of the Launceston Tool Library will be the responsibility of The Shed (VCWC).
In October 2020, the City of Launceston commenced a partnership with the Kings Meadows Men's Shed to start Launceston's first Tool Library. The objective of the project is in line with the circular economy principle of keeping products and materials in use, and the sharing economy in promoting the sharing of under-utilised resources.