SENTINEL NEWS SERVICE

Northeast Portland gets its very own tool library

By Carolyn Neuhausen

The Northeast Portland Tool Library officially opened its doors on July 19, setting up shop in a one-car garage behind Redeemer Lutheran Church at 5431 NE 20th Ave.

This library seeks to provide tools at no cost to those living in the northeast part of the city. A tool library already operates out of the basement of the Kenton Firehouse, but this library is for North Portland residents only. 

Eric Fair-Layman, founder of the Northeast Portland Tool Library (NEPTL), liked the concept of a tool-lending library and decided to start one that serviced Northeast neighborhoods. In order to borrow a tool from the NEPTL, a resident must bring a form of ID and a utility bill with a matching address. Northeast residents who live to the west of 82nd Avenue are welcome to check out tools from the Northeast location.

The NEPTL is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tools can be checked out one week at a time and are due the following Saturday. A resident can borrow up to five tools per visit and, like a book library, returning tools late will generate a fine.

While the library just celebrated its opening, it already has a catalog of 200 individual pieces. However, like most nonprofits, NEPTL is still looking for tool donations, cash donations and volunteers to help out. 

Though Fair-Layman has four core volunteers for the library, he would ultimately like to have a paid staff. “We need tools, we need money. [The library] is so grassroots, it’s ridiculous; you can smell the grass clippings,” he said.

Tom Thompson, a local Northeast carpenter and contractor, has offered some much-needed help to the NEPTL.  When Parr Lumber and Builders Supply of Hillsboro offered to sell building materials to the library at cost, it was Thompson who outfitted the garage with shelving and a security door.

Thompson is interested in helping with the library because he feels these are hard times for people. “I have knowledge and skill — and why waste it?  I can help make people’s lives better and easier and a lot more livable,” he said. “That’s the bottom line and that’s what it’s about.”

Along with Thompson’s extensive help and various tool donations, the Vernon and Concordia neighborhoods and an anonymous donor have given funds to NEPTL. The nonprofit’s garage space was also donated by Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Tools and donations are tax deductible and donation forms can be filled out at NEPTL. 

For more info contact Tom Thompson at tomscot51@yahoo.com or (503) 539-1756.