SouthEast PortlandTool Library
Like the public library... but for tools

Ever noticed SEPTL is a busy place?

Your tool library is an increasingly busy place, as you might have noticed. We’ve added a new computer workstation for tool check-in and -out, but our small space is growing tighter and tighter each month.

Approaching SEPTL’s third birthday (!), I thought it might be interesting to look at some of the numbers.  As you will see, our annual membership growth is still accelerating, as is the number of tools loaned each year as well as the number of member visits.

I think it’s clear that we all owe our volunteers huge thanks. Wouldn’t it be great to have enough volunteers to open another day of the week?  (Here’s my chance to remind you how easy it is to become a volunteer.)

Update 4-22-13: One of our member/volunteers noticed a bigtime error in the second graph below which severely UNDERestimated the number of Tool Loans.  I’ve redone the graph to reflect the actual numbers.  Thanks to Glenn!

SEPTL Member Joins thru 4-2013SEPTL_ToolLoansChartSEPTL Member Visits thru 4-2013

Tool Sharpening Event, 4/20/13

2012 SEPTL event 1

GET YOUR TOOLS SHARPENED AND HELP SEPTL TOO! DATE: Saturday, April 20th TIME: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm WHERE: Parking lot of St. David's Episcopal Church on the corner of SE 28th and Harrison Street. This is the time to get your kitchen knives, … [Continue reading]

Kitchen Share Adds New Hours

kitchenshare

Beginning on April 20th, Kitchen Share will be open on Saturdays from 10:30am to 12:00pm, as well as Tuesdays from 5pm to 8pm. Did you know that next time you visit the tool library, you could also borrow kitchen items like ice cream makers, grain … [Continue reading]

PGE honors us with a Grant!

bob-weber

We have Bob Weber, a SEPTL Board member and PGE retiree, to thank for this. You know Bob as the volunteer who’s at SEPTL helping you just about every Tuesday evening. He’s also a Board Member, the Recording Secretary for all the Board meetings … [Continue reading]

FREE Naturescaping Workshop, Sat 3/30/13

Here's a news item unrelated to SEPTL, but one we thought would be of general interest to our members. Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association will celebrate spring by hosting a FREE Naturescaping Workshop. Naturescaping is the practice of using … [Continue reading]

Use Getaround and earn $ for SEPTL

getaround

Getaround is a neighbor-to-neighbor car sharing program right here in Portland. And here's the thing, when you rent a car from (or to) your neighbors using this link, SEPTL gets a referral bonus! Getaround is Portland's largest (with 450+ … [Continue reading]

Only open for tool RETURNS tonight, 2/26/2013

broken egg

We got the light working, but no internet: apparently the dsl line needs some work on a pole at the street.  Should be fixed well before this weekend, but check back here! So we'll only be able to take tool returns tonight.  Please be prepared … [Continue reading]

Check back, we MAY be closed tonight 2/26/2013

danger

Tuesday, Feb 26, 2013: We are having electrical trouble at the tool library, so we might not be able to open up as scheduled tonight.  Check back this afternoon as 5:30 approaches, for the latest news. … [Continue reading]

Closing at 11:30am Sat 1/19/13

Stop_morgueFile free photo_0001980783702_DSCN6736jpg-001

None of our volunteers are able to work the second shift Saturday Jan 19, 2013 so we must close our doors at 11:30am that morning.  Tools due that day are, of course, still due by the usual 10am deadline.  If you need a tool this weekend be sure to … [Continue reading]

Such a nice surprise

We awoke to such a nice surprise yesterday … and it made us think. One of our members had seized the perfect opportunity: he helped SEPTL by donating before the end of the tax year! Now it seemed to us that this was SUCH a good idea we … [Continue reading]