One of the greatest things about the Ottawa Tool Library is that it has created a vibrant, friendly community of members. Our members come here, not just to borrow a tool, but also to share stories, learn from each other and make new friendships. No matter what level of experience you have, the Ottawa Tool Library has always been a place to learn, share and empower each other. Humans of the Tool Library is a collection of stories from our members and volunteers. Check back as we add new stories!
Click on a thumbnail to learn more about one of the fantastic folks who make the Ottawa Tool Library what it is!
“I grew up with people in my family who sewed – my grandmother and my mother. I used to sit very impatiently on my grandmother’s little sewing stool waiting for her to make something for me. I couldn’t wait to learn how to do it. By grade 9, I was making most of my own… Read More »Sylvie – Event Volunteer
“I used to have every hobby in the book. But then I was moving and I didn’t want to bring all of the stuff that you need for each hobby! So I decided to choose one and I thought sewing was the most useful. I’ve learned a lot about repair and about clothing construction –… Read More »Rebecca – Event Volunteer
Julie-Anne has been volunteering with us for the past year “I’ve been volunteering with the tool library for a year now. Right before I left for Europe to go backpacking for 8 weeks, I took the bike workshop. I had never learned to properly change a tire, I would always just replace the tube instead… Read More »Julie-Anne – Event Volunteer
For our second Humans of OTL Series, we interviewed Ali! Ali Aldosary, a fixer and scrapper since childhood, tells us his view on consumerism. Click to watch!
Welcome to our first Humans of OTL Series interview! Carly, a volunteer at the OTL, puts into words the underlying differences between work and volunteer work. Click below to watch!
Annie mending at one of our Repair Cafés “I’ve been sewing basically forever. My dad taught me how to hand-stitch and I’ve picked up things from sharing tips with other sewers and watching YouTube videos. I like being able to rely on my own two hands. In highschool I used to make a lot of… Read More »Annie – Fixer at Repair Cafés
Rose – a great supporter of the Tool Library and Repair Cafés! “I believe the Repair Café is an awesome initiative which enables participants to appreciate the value of their home goods and electrical products a lot more while avoiding unnecessary waste. Through the Repair Café, participants have an opportunity to give the home items they… Read More »Rose – Participant at Repair Café
“I’ve been helping the Tool Library for about two years. I’m a general contractor and I started my own business just over a year ago. My free time is spent building! A friend had sent me a link to the Tool Library, thinking I might be interested in volunteering for an event. I actually knew… Read More »Jake – Repair Café Fixer
“I’ve been volunteering here since June 2017. I was looking for somewhere to volunteer in the city and I found the Tool Library. I really liked the idea of a tool library – people who have apartments and condos don’t need to buy table saw or a planer, so yeah, I wanted to help out! There have… Read More »Jason – Tool Ninja and Librarian
Emily joined the folds of the tool library volunteer team early on while using her painting skills during the building of our tool library in the summer of 2015. Over the last two years she has become a highly valued member of our core team and has been responsible for many OTL events such as… Read More »Emily – (Former) OTL Programming Coordinator
“This is my second time volunteering for a Repair Café. I like the challenge of fixing a whole bunch of things in one day. I remember after the last Repair Café, I went home and the things that I didn’t fix kind of haunted me afterwards! But most of the fixes are a success, which… Read More »Matthew – Fixer at our Repair Cafés
“I joined last fall, so I’ve been volunteering for roughly more than a year. I came to the Tool Library one time for an open house and my wife was quite impressed with it. I was looking for a place where I could donate my wood working tools into a common space and we could… Read More »David – Tool Ninja
Community member learning how to mend his pants! #teamwork “I work down the street for an organization called Sustainable Eastern Ontario. It supports environmental non-profits. We actually wrote a letter for OTL when they were applying to the Trillium Foundation for the funding to do the Repair Cafes. At that time I thought oh that’s… Read More »Kathryn – Fixer at our Repair Café
Tool Ninja Bob with our BOB Award! “My buddy Kevin, who is the chief of the tool ninjas has been doing volunteer work here for several years. He convinced me to come out here and he thought it was going to be right up my alley. And sure enough, it is. I’m retired but I… Read More »Bob – Tool Ninja
Al – Fixer extraordinaire “I needed a tool and didn’t want to buy it – it was too expensive, so I came to OTL to borrow one. On my first visit they told me more about the tool library and “recruited” me as a volunteer! I’m now also helping out as a tool ninja and… Read More »Al – Fixer at our Repair Café
Our Tool Ninja Kevin who brings in the most delicious muffins for his shifts at OTL. “I’ve been volunteering with the tool library for almost two years. I became a volunteer as a consequence of a friend of mine passing away. His wife asked for me to do something with all of his tools. So… Read More »Kevin – Tool Ninja Coordinator, AKA the muffin man
Debbie with Jake fixing her wind chime “I’ve been following the tool library on Facebook for months because I think it’s a great idea – I don’t like to throw anything out, if I can have it repaired. I’m not handy myself so I don’t have all the tools and I have limited space so… Read More »Debbie – participant at our Repair Café
Alex: “We became members of the tool library a couple years ago … and little did he know I was thinking of making an engagement ring for him since I knew that an engagement ring for me was coming sometime soon. Ryan’s family had recently replaced a couple of planks on their 1960’s mahogany boat… Read More »Alex and Ryan – members
“I’m not that familiar with machines and it’s kind of nice to come here where people know what they’re doing. So when you turn on a machine you’re reasonably confident that you’ll end up with all your fingers by the end of it!” Judy used our Maker Day and Maker Night in December to make… Read More »Judy – Member
As you may know, at the end of November, we had to halt our operations and store all of our tools, benches, materials and more. We put the call to our volunteers, members and supporters that we urgently needed to move. Our thanks to local media outlets, community newspapers, and everyone else who helped spread the word via social media.
We’re so thankful for the outpouring of support – from community groups, businesses, and generous individuals – who contributed their brawn, talents, transport, storage, and more. With your help, all of our inventory and stuff is safely stored with our friends at Dymon Storage, Beyond the Pale Brewing, Brezach Solutions, McGuire Agency, and Just Food. Thank you to everyone who responded to the call … we truly couldn’t have done it without you.
A Continued Hibernation & Lockdown 🐻❄️
For the moment, our tools are in storage. We did managed to continue with some of our workshops in December thanks to KJP Select Hardwoods, and our Tinkering School thanks to Ottawa School of Art. However, the latest lockdown has also put these efforts on hold. Our webstore is offline, but we’re examining ways to return to offer online merchandise and surplus tools during our closure. Our series of Repair Cafés remain suspended until we can host them safely.
We’re very sorry for the inconvenience our closure has obviously caused for our members are our community. Thanks to everyone for your patience and support. Most importantly, the OTL will return. We’ve always been solvent and paid our bills, but the outpouring of support in December has highlighted the value that you, our friends and neighbours, put on access to the tools, advice and skills we provide to the community.
Space Quest! 🚀👩🚀🔭
We’d already begun looking at different spaces before we had to move, but affordable light commercial warehouse space is a rarity in Ottawa. Our operations necessitate certain parameters: ground level, high ceilings, accessible by bus and transit, parking, and accessible to those with mobility issues.
So, the OTL continues to look for a new space to resume operations as soon as possible in the new year. Ideally, we’re seeking the following:
1,200-1,500 sq ft of ground level, accessible unfinished space with a large entrance door (either a wide person door, or an overhead garage door, or both).
Adjacent and free parking
Affordable rent of $10-$15/sq ft (plus utilities).
The space would ideally also allow for a small workshop (300-500 sq ft) to be set up to host our many DIY workshops and seminars.
Centrally located, preferably West of Centretown, as many of our members and volunteers are located in the area bounded by Bronson, the Ottawa River, Greenbank and Baseline.
We’re working with a broker to scour the city and have toured a lot of spaces in Ottawa, but haven’t yet found a suitable home. Given the low city-wide availability, our best bet is to learn about spaces before they’re listed. Do you have a suitable space for the OTL in Ottawa, or know someone who might? Contact us.
We’re also appealing to local community groups, social enterprises or non-profits who may be interested in co-locating with us in a larger space. We’re most interested in collaborating with those involved in the sharing/circular economy, promoting environmental sustainability, or teaching skills in our community. If you and your organization are interested, please get in touch.
What’s Next & How to Help 💪🏽
Foremost, if you want to be the first to know about the OTL’s next chapter, subscribe to our newsletter. We’ll do our best to keep you updated about our space hunt, programming, webstore, and what’s next for the OTL.
Not everyone has a spare warehouse to fill, but there are many other ways to show your support:
If you’d like to help us fit up a new space and move in, or regularly volunteer with our operations or behind the scenes, join our volunteer list.
If you’re making, building or fixing at home, be sure to mention us (@yowtoollibrary) and tag #otlmade to show us what you’re working on. After all, #makersgonnamake.