West Philly Tool Library space at 1314 S 47th Street. (Photo courtesy of WPTL)

Here’s some awesome news for the West Philly Tool Library: after a series of publications in local media, including West Philly Local, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and PlanPhilly, and great community support, their online fundraising campaign not only reached its goal of $10,000 but exceeded it by $900.

The crowdsourcing campaign on Indiegogo.com was seeking donations to help fund the tool library’s expansion and community outreach projects and allow them to purchase new, most needed tools.

Some 172 different funders donated to the campaign, according to Peter Foreman-Murray, the tool library’s executive director. “It’s really amazing to see all the support from the community,” Foreman-Murray wrote in an email.

Now, what’s the next step for the tool library after the successful fundraiser?

“We’re really excited to put the funds into use at the tool library,” writes Foreman-Murray. “We’ve already started to compile a list of tools to buy. We can never keep our most popular tools in stock; as our membership has grown, our available tools haven’t kept up. These funds will help us to ensure that things like table saws and weed whackers are on the shelves when people need them.”

The tool library also began the planning of their expanded education offerings, according to Foreman-Murray. “We’re really looking forward to providing community members with the knowledge they need to use our tools to improve their lives,” he wrote.

Visit the West Philly Tool Library website for more news, updates and information on how to become a member.

West Philly Tool Library staff (Photo courtesy WPTL).

West Philly Tool Library (WPTL) is Philadelphia’s only library that lends tools to community members, both individuals and organizations. WPTL’s members borrow tools for home repairs, construction projects, gardening and even creating art. Recently, the tool library has announced some big plans that include increasing the number of members in more neighborhoods and their access to most needed tools and expanding their education and outreach programs.

Sounds great, but the problem is that WPTL can’t meet this demand without community help. Their current memberships fund only 34 percent of their annual operating budget of $40,000. So an online crowdfunding campaign was launched to help them make ends meet.

WPTL is currently raising $10,000 through Indiegogo and has already raised over $3,000. The money donated through this campaign will help the following projects, according to the campaign page:

• Increase availability of the tools they can’t keep on the shelves, like table saws, weed whackers, tile saws, and cordless drills
• Develop a robust education program to ensure that community members have the skills they need to properly leverage their tools
• Develop programs to reach into the neighborhoods they don’t fully serve

For more information and to donate, click here.

If you want to learn more about how to become the tool library member, visit this page.

West Philly Tool Library (1314 S 47th St) is hosting a Spring Tool Sale and Drive this Saturday, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.. Check out the flyer below for details.

Sometimes the best thing to do on a Saturday morning is to spend time around tools. If you need a tool or two or would like to pass along ones you don’t need, this Saturday’s Fall Tool Sale and Drive at the West Philly Tool Library might be the nut to your bolt so to speak.

The sale runs from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 16 at the library’s headquarters at 1314 S. 47th St. They’ll have everything from wrenches, pliers and hammers to gas-powered lawn equipment and circular saws. Donations are tax deductible and they even will have some coffee and refreshments on hand.

Hundreds of tools will be available at the 5th annual tool drive and sale. (Photo courtesy West Philly Tool Library).

On Saturday, March 16, the West Philly Tool Library, a community-based tool lending library, invites neighbors to its 5th annual tool sale and tool drive. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 1314 S. 47th Street (between Woodland and Grays Ferry Avenues).

This is a great opportunity to pick up tools at super low prices (starting at just $1) and to support the Tool Library. A large selection of tools will be available, including circular saws, screwdrivers, hammers, gas-powered lawn care tools, wrenches, pliers, and many more.

Also, if you have tools you don’t need, bring them to this event and Tool Library will put them into productive community service. All donations are tax deductible and Tool Library staff members will be on hand to process your donations and provide receipts for tax purposes.

Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

For more information visit westphillytools.org or email: Peter@WestPhillyTools.org

The West Philly Tool Library is celebrating a new grant with a barbecue and you are invited.

The cook-out will be Saturday from 12-2 p.m. at the West Philly Tool Library at 1314 S. 47th St. (near 47th and Woodland). The cook-out is a way of thanking everyone who voted in the State Farm “Cause an Effect” grant program. West Philly Tool Library and Neighborhood Bike Works were both awarded $25,000.