What: Grand Opening of Richmond Tool Library

When: Saturday, July 23^rd, 2016, 11:30AM-3:30PM

Where: 3230 Macdonald Ave. Richmond, CA 94804 (Community Services Dept.)

Who: City of Richmond, Contra Costa County, Richmond Tool Library Staff, Love Your Block Staff

Why: To celebrate the opening of a free tool lending service for Richmond residents and engage community members with volunteer activities.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1743960292490608

RICHMOND- Just three months after successfully meeting its crowdfunding campaign goal, the Richmond Tool Library is opening its doors! Join us on July 23^rd, 2016 from 11:30am-3:30pm to celebrate!

The Grand Opening of Richmond’s first ever Tool Library will take place at the Richmond Community Services Department, located at 3230 Macdonald Ave. The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the library, DIY home improvement workshops, volunteer activities, food, and more!

In an urban setting like Richmond, few have the space to own tools like cement mixers or wheelbarrows. Thankfully, the tool library has more than 600 items available for patrons to borrow.

 “Many of our residents recognize the need to maintain their homes and community spaces but do not have an extra $300 lying around to purchase tools like angle grinders and table saws,” says Guadalupe Morales, one of the founders of the Richmond Tool Library. “If we can lend these tools to our residents free of charge, we can encourage them to take collective ownership of their city and beautify our neighborhoods together.” This mission is fitting for a project that came out of the Love Your Block Initiative, a city program that offers mini-grants to Richmond residents to beautify community spaces.

Richmond residents and supporters of the library surpassed the goal of raising $12,598 for the library through a month-long crowdfunding campaign launched on April 4^th. The Richmond Tool Library is a grassroots project created by the community for the community. Richmond residents will be able to access these free tools with a library card and proof of residency.

Learn more about the Richmond Tool Library online at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3254/Richmond-Tool-Lending-Library

Or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. RSVP for the Grand Opening on Facebook!

Tool-savvy? Volunteer opportunities are also available with the Tool Library!

Email [email protected] or call 510-620-6552.

Tool-gether, we can build a better Richmond.