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Need a shovel or shears? Penticton to have first-ever ‘Tool Lending Library’

‘Instead of borrowing books, you’re borrowing tools,’ says Stacey Rexin
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A group of locals are hoping to launch a tool-lending library in Penticton. (Photo by Steve Maxwell)

A community library where people could borrow household and garden tools at little to no cost could be coming to Penticton for the very first time.

Penticton and Area Cooperative Enterprises (PACE) is hosting an open meeting on Thursday, June 2, at 95246 Martin Street to discuss the potential launch of a local “Tool Lending Library.”

“It’s very similar to a regular library, but instead of borrowing books, you’re borrowing tools,” said Stacey Rexin, the operations manager at PACE. “Not everyone can afford tools, so we want to make sure everyone has access to them.”

Rexin added that the idea has already been executed in communities across North America. The Penticton location, however, would focus mainly on smaller hand tools.

People would have the opportunity to buy library memberships, lowering their borrowing fees in the process and even getting 100 per cent discounts on items like small hammers, Rexin said.

“By sharing tools, members can reduce cost, have less need for storage and literary help build community,” she said.

The operations manager at PACE credits Cameron Baughen, a former management coordinator at the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, with localizing the idea.

Thursday’s meeting is open to the public and starts at 7 p.m. Leaders from PACE hoping to gauge community interest and inform people about the potential benefits of a tool lending library in Penticton.

The working group, along with PACE, is hoping to have the library on Martin Street.

READ MORE: Regional district highlights importance of annual Recreation Month this June


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com

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