March 24, 2016

A new tool-lending library is set to open its doors in Tel Aviv just before the Passover holiday. Tool-lending libraries are common in many communities around the world but are only now “making aliyah” to Israel.

The Tel Ve’Kach – a play on the Hebrew words ten ve’kach (give and take) – tool library will launch its first branch in the new Florentin community center on Abarbanel Street.

Need a ladder for a day? What about a power drill for a couple of hours? Wouldn’t it be great to have access to a free paint roller that you know you’ll use just once?

Tool-lending libraries, like book-lending libraries, offer tools for loan, as well as how-to guides for a variety of repairs: home improvement, remodeling, gardening and simple fix-it jobs.

The library will also loan camping and sporting equipment.

The municipality is budgeting NIS 45,000 for this first library and, after learning and investigating exactly what a community needs, will roll out a citywide plan to put a tool-lending library in every community center throughout Tel Aviv-Yafo.

“The guidelines at this library will be to offer tools and equipment that take up a lot of space or cost a lot for minimal usage,” according to a municipality statement.

The service is for city residents only.

More on library