Halden Sproule wants to help build Hamilton, one tool at a time.
Sproule, a recent Hamilton transplant, has launched an initiative to create a tool library for the city that would allow people to borrow the tools they might not have either the means or the space to possess.
“The response is unanimously positive,” said Sproule, who hopes to open the tool library this fall. “People are really excited.
“We’re doing this in order to help the community. We’re trying to figure out who we can help and how we can help them.”
Sproule expects the library to include thousands of tools - everything from household power tools to kitchen tools to gardening tools, and even highly specialized tools, such as laser cutters and 3D printers that could be used by small businesses and the arts community.
“Hamilton seems like a fantastic place to start a small business,” said Sproule. “Having the resources and the space to do that on your own is really difficult.
“And then there are so many individuals or families that either don’t have the income or the space to store a bunch of tools or they have projects that they would love to do to improve their homes and they don’t have the resources to pay for it,” he added.
Sproule also expects the library to include a full-sized wood shop and an on-site do-it-yourself bicycle repair area. He also intends to have skills workshops taught by volunteers in the community.
There won’t be a rental fee, other than a $50 annual membership cost - about the same as the four-hour rental cost of a tool from a big-box hardware chain, he noted. Students and special-needs groups will pay a reduced membership.
Sproule spent the past eight years overseas working as a management consultant. Originally from Oshawa, he landed in Hamilton when his partner recently accepted a medical position with Hamilton Health Sciences and he quickly fell in love with the city.
“I’ve lived in about a dozen cities over the last 10 years and Hamilton is easily my favourite,” said Sproule. “It’s got this village vibe in a big-city form.
“The people are so unbelievably friendly and I can’t believe how approachable they are.”
Sproule said a location for the library is still being determined, but he would like to see it in the lower inner city and accessible by transit.
He expects to launch a fundraising drive next month.
“It’s going to be a self-sustaining initiative once we get going, but we do need some funding to launch it,” Sproule said.
Donations of tools are also welcome.
For more information or to assist with the tool library, contact Sproule at halden@hamiltontoollibrary.ca or by phone at 289-489-6498.
More information can also be obtained at www.facebook.com/hamtoollibrary or on Twitter at @HamToolLibrary.
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