Toronto Tool Library (West)

General information

The Toronto Tool Library is Toronto's first community space for sharing tools as wide ranging as generators and drills, to 3D printers and an open-sourced Laser cutter. Anyone can access the library! From community groups and small businesses, to anyone who needs a tool. This is about access over ownership.

Why share tools?
An average power drill is used for just 15 minutes in its lifetime!

Sharing tools rather than buying them helps provide access to those who cannot afford or would rather not buy expensive tools. It is empowering to fix, repair and beautify your home and neighbourhood.

- New immigrants to Toronto often have small capital to make their new dwelling into a 'home'. Here is an answer.
- Small businesses who need to do a renovation project. Here is an answer.
- Community groups wanting to have an outdoor concert with refrigerated ice-cream. Here is an answer!

A Tool Library also:
- reduces our impact on the environment (less consumption),
- increases skills in your community (a workshop to learn in),
- and helps to reduces clutter in the home!

The Institute for a Resource-Based Economy (IRBE) has partnered with the Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC) and will open the library in the basement at 1499 Queen Street West in the Parkdale neighbourhood. With your help we will have a wide range of tools available to the community and can renovate the PARC basement to make it a beautiful and welcoming space for the community. (See below for WHO WE ARE)

This is about us!
It's about community at it's heart and soul.
A practical space to share.
With the goal being to grow a sharing economy in our large community, that we call Toronto.

WHO ARE WE?

PARC is a drop-in community centre that imagines a world where extreme poverty no longer exists; where everyone lives with dignity, safety and enough resources and where people can achieve their potential.

Founded in 1977, PARC now serves thousands of meals each month, provides low-income housing, daily outreach programs, one-on-one support, arts programs and more. PARC is a Canadian registered charity and is located at 1499 Queen Street West (at Sorauren).

IRBE envisions a sustainable future where our economy and our environment are connected in a state of dynamic equilibrium. Founded in 2011 as a registered non-profit, IRBE offers education and raises awareness of sustainable economics and implements resource-sharing projects in Toronto. IRBE has partnered with PARC on this project and the Tool Library will be located in the basement of PARC’s building on Queen St. West.