Kawartha Tool Library expands to Lindsay in celebration of Earth Week
The Kawartha Tool Library is celebrating Earth Week with the official opening of its second location inside the Lindsay ReStore at 55 Angeline Street North, marking an exciting new chapter in its growth as a community sharing hub.
Originally founded in May 2006 by a group of volunteers operating out of the Endeavour Centre, the Tool Library was built on a simple sustainable and community anchored idea: that people don’t need to buy every single tool they use. In 2022, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region acquired the Tool Library and continued its operations through the Peterborough ReStore at 300 Milroy Drive.
Now, thanks to a generous grant from the Congregations of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada, the Tool Library has been rebranded and expanded into a second location in Lindsay, creating the Kawartha Tool Library with two community access points in Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes.
The Tool Library is just like a regular library, but with tools instead of books. The tool library provides members with access to hundreds of tools for home improvement, gardening, repairs, and DIY projects, helping reduce costs, promote reuse, and keep materials out of landfill.
Members will have access to both locations; however, tools must be borrowed and returned to the same site. “This expansion reflects what Earth Week is all about, reuse, sharing, and finding practical ways to care for our environment while supporting our community – at the Kawartha Tool Library, we believe in access and not excess,” said Holly McKinnon, communications and marketing manager at Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region. “The Tool Library is a perfect fit within the Habitat ReStore model, and we’re excited to see it grow in Lindsay.”
Community members are invited to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Kawartha Tool Library this
Saturday, April 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. inside the Lindsay ReStore. The event will include
a ribbon cutting, tours of the Tool Library, raffle prizes, refreshments and cake, and goody bags for the first 30 guests.
To mark the occasion, a special one-day membership promotion (only available on Sat, April 25), will be offered:
• Regular Membership: $50/year (normally $60)
• Student: $40/year
• Household (2 people): $90/year
• Organization: $150/year (ideal for non-profits and small businesses needing access to
thousands of tools)
The Kawartha Tool Library continues to operate with the support of dedicated volunteers. As the program grows, additional volunteers are needed to help with tool maintenance, member support, and day-to-day operations. Individuals with a passion for tools, repair, and community service are encouraged to get involved.
Tool donations are also welcomed. The Tool Library accepts a wide range of items, from drills and saws to tents, gazebos, and event equipment used by local organizations. Community members interested in donating tools or volunteering are encouraged to contact .
To further celebrate Earth Week and the opening, both the Peterborough and Lindsay ReStores will be offering 25 per cent off storewide on Saturday, April 25.
The Kawartha Tool Library invites the community to join in celebrating a milestone that highlightsvsustainability, accessibility, and the power of shared resources.
