Learn more about this valuable outer East Portland resource, and how you’ll benefit from getting to know about it …
In the Hazelwood neighborhood, the East Portland Tool Library is open for business – and on this day is celebrating its second anniversary.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Not long ago, the East Portland Tool Library celebrated their second anniversary, and held a tool drive on June 28 at their Hazelwood neighborhood location.
Members brought back borrowed tools, and checked out other implements from their “library”; other folks came by to learn just what is available there.
Telling about the East Portland Tool Library is the organization’s Chair, Nancy Arntson.
“We have been involved in establishing a tool library here on the east side of town for quite a while,” East Portland Tool Library Chair Nancy Arntson told East Portland News. “This is the only section of Portland that did not have a ‘tool library’, and we worked for about three years looking for a place to establish one that would fulfill this idea.
Checking in borrowed tools that were returned is Tool Library volunteer Phil Dekker.
“Because we didn’t have any money, or any funding, we applied for a grant to the Metro regional government, and they gave us a grant that enabled us to buy the shipping containers to house our tool library, and to start the process.”
The core of the group behind it waxed and waned between four and ten volunteers; they’ve settled into operating with a six-person Board of Directors, and a total of about 18 volunteers, she said.
“Our hosts, the Cherry Park United Methodist Church, from day one, have been welcoming and very supportive our being here,” Arntson remarked.
Reorganizing their selection of electric lawn mowers is volunteer Seph Irish.
“In my opinion, doing this, and providing this service is important because it’s all about community. It looks like just a couple of shipping containers with tools in them! But there is a lot of effort that’s put into it, in order to be able to loan them out.
“But more than this, we’re here to help people see options to borrow, rather than going out and buying tools – only to later see them end up in a landfill,” Arntson went on. “Our ‘tool library’ looks like ‘tools in a box’, but it’s really about community.”
As part of their Anniversary Celebration, folks are encouraged to bring their confidential paperwork for free shredding.
Their summer hours, through September, center on two days a week – Sundays, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.; and Wednesdays from 5 until 7 p.m.
You’ll find the East Portland Tool Library in the parking lot of Cherry Park United Methodist Church, at 1736 SE 106th Avenue, 97216. Learn more, at their official website: CLICK HERE.
>> On our Front Page: Debbie Dekker shows a couple of the many implements available to borrowers at the East Portland Tool Library.
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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