The Guelph Tool Library is raising funds to acquire ready-to-go ‘creator kits’ for special interest projects like podcasting, making YouTube videos or backyard chicken hatching.
Through the new kits, Guelph Tool Library (GTL) hopes to increase the creative capacity of Guelphites and remove financial barriers between inspiration and the realization of big ideas.
Most of the Guelph Tool Library’s current inventory of over 500 unique tools has been donated, said coordinator John Dennis in a press release.
“This campaign is to target and purchase items that we thought would be great additions to our inventory but unlikely to be donated,” said Dennis.
The campaign will begin on Nov. 27 through a crowdfunding, in conjunction with Giving Tuesday.
The IndieGoGo campaign seeks to raise $2,500 to acquire four ‘creator kits’, including:
- YouTube creator kit: DSLR camera, memory card, compact on-camera microphone, tripod
- Podcaster kit: stereo headphone, 2-channel studio mixer, USB audio interface, table microphone tripod
- Incubator kit - A kit to hatch various types of bird eggs
- GoPro kit - GoPro Hero 5, tripod, selfie stick, memory card, carrying case
- Robot kit - Robot, charging cord, two building brick connectors, documentation
The campaign will offer supporters a number of fundraising tiers, beginning with GTL swag at the $10 level. A $50 contribution includes the GTL swag and adds a membership, while the $500 tier adds a year worth of courses, a GTL t-shirt and tote bag, along with a two-year membership.
The idea of the kits was inspired by the Wellington County Library and Portland Tool Library.
“We are always looking for new and innovative ways to serve our members. The maker kits are a new way for our tools to be used,” said Dennis.
For more information about the campaign visit here.
The current inventory at the Guelph Tool Library includes kitchen appliances, party supplies, arts and crafts resources, gardening equipment, renovation tools and more.
GTL also hosts Repair Cafes to repair broken items and offers courses to learn about tool usage, waste reduction, food production, among other subjects.
The Guelph Tool Library and Repair Cafe are projects of Transition Guelph, which seeks to promote processes and projects for strengthening community resilience and economic vitality.
