S.F.: Tool library intends to reopen someday

This goes with the piece on the S.F. Tool Lending library This goes with the piece on the S.F. Tool Lending library Photo: Jonathan Curiel Photo: Jonathan Curiel Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close S.F.: Tool library intends to reopen someday 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

HERE'S THE DEAL

S.F. tool library closed for now: At the height of its popularity, the San Francisco Tool Lending Library had thousands of people who relied on its supplies. From regular hammers and saws to cable cutters, wheelbarrows and electric cement mixers, the library had it all for do-it-yourselfers looking to save a little money. "Had" is the operative word - the library has been closed for about 1 1/2 years, prompting ChronicleWatch reader Beth Rader to wonder whether it is permanently shuttered. "Hoping that you can investigate and find a way to resume a really great resource to San Francisco residents," Rader e-mailed ChronicleWatch. "Given the mayor's commitment to cleaning and greening the city, an operative tool-lending library would support this effort. Even with budget cuts, it seems that the city could encourage the reopening of the Tool Library - perhaps with low overhead space or suggesting a nominal fee schedule to use the tools. Oakland and Berkeley have operative tool lending libraries, why not S.F.?" One reason: Oakland and Berkeley give financial support to their tool-lending libraries, while San Francisco doesn't. The city's library is now under the aegis of the San Francisco Clean City Coalition, a nonprofit group that took it over from the San Francisco Public Library in 2004 when the city was cutting costs. The coalition operated the library using grant money, but the money ran out. Executive Director Gia Grant says the library will reopen as soon as the coalition finds the long-term funding - and the physical space - that's needed to maintain the tool-lending program. "Our intent is to reopen it," Grant says. When, exactly, is still to be determined.

Is something broken in your neighborhood? Call us at (415) 777-7170, or e-mail us at chroniclewatch@sfchronicle.com.