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The Washington State University Master Recycler Composters (MRC) of Lewis County have opened the MRC Tool Bucket Library to help residents borrow tools for projects around their homes and gardens.
“A tool library is a place where, instead of books, you check out a wide array of tools,” Lynn Ford, MRC treasurer and library project manager, said in a news release. “The tool library is more than just a lending service; it’s a movement. It’s about building self-reliance, encouraging repair over replacement and reducing the consumption of durable goods.”
The tool library catalog, which features a diverse collection of tools for home and yard maintenance, sewing, cooking, hobbies and games, can be viewed at www.mrctoolbucketlibrary.org. The site also has instructions on becoming a member to check out tools. Membership options are flexible with pay-what-you-can, monthly or annual donations to support the shared resources.
Members can reserve tools Saturday through Thursday for pickup at the Floral Park Sustainability Project, 104 E. Floral St. in Centralia on Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Borrowed tools will be due the following Friday. Tool library hours will expand as more volunteers become involved, according to a news release.
Tool library volunteers can donate their time to serve as a librarian, a tool repairer and an equipment cataloger. Financial donations to support the tool library are also accepted as the MRC group is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Monetary donations help with purchasing consumable products that accompany the tools, such as sandpaper, nails and screws, with replacing broken tools and with covering insurance costs.
To help the community learn more about the MRC Tool Bucket Library, two upcoming events are planned. MRC volunteers will have a booth under the grandstands at the Southwest Washington Fair from Aug. 12 through 17. They are also hosting an open house from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 at the Floral Park Sustainability Project in Centralia.
Before the opening of the MRC Tool Bucket Library, there were no tool libraries in Southwest Washington. The nearest options were in Tacoma or Portland.
“This area was considered a tool library desert,” Ford said. “We were fortunate to receive a grant from the Department of Ecology that helped establish the tool library. The MRC’s mission is clear: to empower our community with practical education, training and support that promotes composting and solid waste reduction. We champion the principles of reuse, repurposing, purposing and recycling to foster resilient and sustainable communities.
For more information, email mrctoolbucketlibrary@gmail.com or call 360-520-3206. Learn more at https://www.mrctoolbucketlibrary.org/.
