Rather than asking a next door neighbour or hopping down to the nearest hardware store or equipment hire outlet, Wyndham residents needing tools for DIY jobs will soon have another place where they can get them: the library.
The Wyndham Park Tool Library is set to open in April and manager Daniel Schultheis said that once operational there would be an array of tools available to borrow.
“It’s a wide range, not just DIY, but craft tools, camping tools, gardening tools, pretty much anything that people can use,” he said.
Operating out of the Wyndham Park Community Shed in Werribee, the tool library will be operated by volunteers and as Mr Schultheis explained, will run much like a normal library.
“Generally the hire will be a week and you sign up a membership for a year and then you can borrow as many tools as you need,” he said.
The tool library has been in the works since mid-2023 when the Wyndham Park Community Shed received grants from both Sustainability Victoria and Wyndham council to help get it underway.
Mr Schultheis stressed that those borrowing from the library needed to remember that all tools are second hand.
“It’s not a hire company, it’s a community group,” he said.
“The tools are always checked for safety and tested and tagged before they go out, but the spirit of it is being a community group rather than a professional trade service.”
Along with more tool donations, he said the library still wanted more volunteers ahead of its April opening.
“We’ve got a good group but always looking for more,” said Mr Schultheis, adding that cataloguing, customer service and tool maintenance were among the roles they needed help with.
The tool library will be open on Wednesdays and weekends and available to all Wyndham residents.
For more information: www.wyndhamparktoollibrary.com.au
Cade Lucas.
