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Minot Tool Library now open at Minot Public Library

Lend a tool, build a better community. The Minot Public Library is working hard to do just that, according to a press release from the City of Minot.

As of March 5, the library now offers a tool lending service to its patrons who are at least 18 years of age and have had a library card for a minimum of 90 days. Landscaping, gardening, and home repair tools are available to check out for seven days, with the possibility of one renewal if no other reservations have been made.

Tool lending libraries are not new-the oldest continuously running tool library in the nation opened in Berkeley, Calif., in 1979. They facilitate the sharing of resources within a community, connecting people who may not be able to afford tools, or who only need to use a particular tool once. The Minot Tool Library will also assist the community in the event of a natural disaster by providing tools to homeowners to fix property damages.

The Minot Public Library and the Resilience AmeriCorps VISTAs worked together to bring the first tool library to North Dakota.

“The Minot Tool Library is intended to build a stronger, safer, and more stable community by lending tools to library patrons for free,” said Colin Hendrickson, a Resilience AmeriCorps VISTA, in the press release.“By facilitating more projects and enabling more neighbors to maintain their residence, the tool library will promote self-sufficiency and resilience. I am very grateful to the Minot Pub-lic Library for sharing a vision of an empowered Minot and agreeing to partner with us VISTAs to provide this service.”

The Minot Public Library connects its patrons to resources they might not otherwise have, mak-ing it the ideal location for the tool lending library.

“The Minot Public Library is an inclusive space that provides people of any age with equal ac-cess to information and technology that will improve their quality of life. The library consistently strives to find new and innovative ways to better serve the Minot area community. That is why the library has chosen to expand its services to now include the lending of tools. The library is constantly transforming and helps others to transform as well,” said Janet Anderson, library di-rector.

The library’s inventory of new and used tools was acquired through donations and grants. Dona-tions were made by members of the public at a tool drive held in September. Personnel from

North Dakota Guaranty and Title Co. made a generous contribution of new tools. Grant dollars from Verendrye Electric and the VISTAs’ fund (provided by their sponsoring organization, Cit-ies of Service) allowed the library to purchase the remaining tools to complete its inventory.

To view the tools, visit the online catalog at www.minotlibrary.org or go to the adult services front desk and ask for the print catalog. Patrons can reserve tools to be held for them at the li-brary by going online, stopping by, or calling the Minot Public Library at 852-1045.

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