Durham Tool Library

Durham Tool Library is an online community resource sharing network, utilizing the group feature on Facebook as their organizational platform. Access to join and participate in this group is open to all who can answer a few questions (which helps keep out the bots). This community self-manages itself, as people post what tools or resources they need and other group members have the opportunity to provide the item if able to. This project sheds light on our culture of over overconsumption, in which we are conditioned to believe that we all need our own individual tools, even if we only use them once every few years. In this resource sharing economy, tools can be shared amongst many individuals and households, helping to build a sense of community amongst “neighbors” and easing the financial, physical and environmental burdens of consumerism.

00:00 Introduction

03:15 How is the Durham Tool Library utilized?

03:58 How can someone join or interact with the Durham Tool Library?

04:25 What are the reasons behind using the group feature of Facebook for this project?

06:42 Why is accessibility to tools through sharing important?

09:53 Are there rules to participating in the community?

11:37 How is leadership organized?

13:44 What impact does the communal and collaborative nature of this project have?

15:03 What are some of the challenges to holding this community network online?

16:27 How does this tool sharing resource impact the sustainability and wellness of our community?

19:44 What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start a tool library for their community?

21:43 Is this project a form of activism for you?

24:32 Is there anything else you think we should know about the Durham Tool Library?

Additional Resources: