Ottawa Tool Library
In the Media
We’re always grateful to friends of the OTL who help us spread the word about the benefits of the sharing economy to those in our community! Below are some recent features of us in local print, radio, television, blogs and other online media:
Fix it, don’t toss it: Repair Café in Vanier Oct. 18
Carmen Bohn, New Edinburgh News, p. 19 | October 1, 2025
I’ve lived, worked, and played events giving second life to in New Edinburgh since 2010. Recently, I’ve been having fun helping at the Ottawa Tool Library (OTL), where know I’ve determined to learn the difference between a jigsaw and a reciprocating saw – and maybe even how to use them! Read more.
Mathias, Green Squad
Mathias, Green Squad (2025), TVO Kids | September 12, 2025
When 12-year-old Mathias realizes his house is overflowing with old electronics, the Green Squad jumps in to help! Mathias teams up with Éric and Kyle to collect broken gadgets from his neighbours, learning about the circular economy and how recycling tech the right way protects the environment—and even gorillas! Touchdown for teamwork, tech skills, and… Read More.
Fixing for the future: How Repair Cafés fight climate change
EnviroCentre | June 10, 2025
Repairing is a climate solution. With support from a $40,000 grant from EnviroCentre, the Ottawa Tool Library is expanding its popular Repair Café events—bringing free, accessible repair opportunities to more communities across Ottawa. These events do more than fix broken items. They keep valuable resources out of landfills, reduce emissions, and build repair skills that… Read More.
Repair Cafés as part of the circular economy
Carole Moult, Riverside Park Review, June/July 2025 edition—Section Two, p. 32 | June 1, 2025
Today, Martine Postma is the founder and director of Repair Café International – a nonprofit foundation that makes ‘re-use’ part of the local community, by sharing repair expertise through accessible community events. Repair Café International also sends out kits to help others get started. Read more.
How the Ottawa Tool Library is helping people get crafty
Amanda McLeod, Kitchissippi Times, June 2025 | June 1, 2025
Run entirely by volunteers and funded through grants and membership fees, the current location at 877a Boyd Avenue is a dream for anyone who enjoys wandering the aisles of a hardware store. From hammers and screwdrivers to every power tool imaginable, as well as gardening or canning supplies, and even an ice cream maker, the… Read More.
Repair Café saves faulty items
Camille Wilson , CTVNews Ottawa | April 12, 2025
A repair café in Ottawa is breathing new life into old, broken items saving people money, while also saving the landfill. This CBC Ottawa newscast reports on a Repair Café event held at Jean Pigott Place in City Hall on April 12, where residents brought broken household items to be fixed by volunteers from the… Watch now.
Repair Café gives new life to clocks, toasters, umbrellas, tools, and more
Alayne McGregor, Centretown Buzz | August 23, 2024
On August 10, a heritage building at Zibi in LeBreton Flats attracted residents with everything from broken umbrellas to clothing to power tools to electronics – all of which needed fixing. At tables filling the large room, expert volunteers examined and, in many cases, fixed the items. Their tools ranged from sew- ing machines to… Read More.
How the Ottawa Tool Library keeps stuff out of landfills
Catherine Morrison, The Ottawa Citizen | July 13, 2024
Looking to borrow a lawnmower? Need advice on how to go about a DIY project? Head over to the Ottawa Tool Library. Established in 2014, the library is home to more than 3,000 tools and 200 volunteers. “We have the tools that people think of when you hear a tool library with the hammer and… Read More.
Interview with Carl from the OTL
Wednesday Special Blend, CKCU | June 19, 2024
Host Tic talks with Carl, regular OTL volunteer and prolific Repair Café fixer, about our inventory and offerings, the Webstore and refurbished tools, the wide assortment of topics of our Demo Nights, Repair Cafés in Ottawa, and even our beloved Dr. Phil. Listen now.
An Hour to Give (with Ottawa Community Foundation)
Hosted by Sam Laprade, RogersTV | December 16, 2023
Veteran broadcaster and compassionate community champion Sam Laprade sheds light on Ottawa’s most impactful charities and non-profit organizations and their amazing work. Featured this week: Ottawa Community Foundation. Watch now.
Ottawa Tool Library and City of Ottawa Hosting Repair Café at City Hall Saturday
Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal, iHeartRadio | October 13, 2023
Have some broken items laying around your house and looking for a chance to upcycle them instead of tossing them away. The City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Tool Library have a solution! A Repair Cafe is happening on Saturday to help mend and fix broken items of all sorts. Listen now.