Changes in Open Hours
Beginning Feb. 28th, the Tool Library will be reducing its open hours to one day per week, Thursdays from 3-6 PM.

Changes in Staffing
Heidi Cejka, who has served as our Tool Librarian for the past year and a half, will be ending her duties at the close of February, and moving out of state to pursue other adventures. Beginning in March, George Gusick, our recently hired Custodian and Maintenance staff person will take over Tool Library duties. We're sure you will find George very friendly and knowledgeable about tools. He has a background in construction and has already been a huge help to us here at Matthew 25.

The main reason for the reduction in Tool Library hours is a reduction in available funding. Still, we weren't ready to take the step of closing it altogether, because many community members still find it to be a valuable resource. In order to keep it open, costs had to be reduced. Please don't hesitate to contact us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 319-491-4466 if you have questions.
Come use our space and tools to create your project! The Tool Library woodworking workshop allows you to use tools that you either don't have the means to haul home or the space at home to complete your project. For a list of tools in the workshop click here!

The Tool Library Workshop is available to members to use during Tool Library hours for free. If you would like to rent the space for your group or club, use the space outside of Tool Library hours, or if you are not a member of the Tool Library it is $25 per hour.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library has partnered with the Tool Library and we now have a large selection of wonderful, current books on home repair, remodeling, specific home building projects, decorating, painting, storage solutions, eco-building and design, landscaping, yard structures, gardening, and food preservation! The books are free to check out to both members and the public, we just ask for a copy of a photo ID and phone number.

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The Tool Library first started out as a resource to flood affected members of Cedar Rapids and is now a resource to the entire Cedar Rapids community. The history of the Tool Library starts after the flooding of 2008; local homeowners had many issues to deal with in restarting their lives, and establishing a sense of home in the Cedar Rapids community. The Matthew 25 Ministry Hub has responded in many ways to assist local community members, and one of their projects was to establish a free tool rental program to help homeowners save on the cost of tool rental in the rebuilding process.

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Relocated in the fall of 2008, and with a massive increase in tool inventory, the Matthew 25 Tool Library moved to the Community Resource Center at 220 6th St. NW. The CRC warehouse housed several departments that offered resources for community members to utilize during their rebuilding process.

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Matthew 25 has now completed the build out of their new space located at 225 K Ave. NW. This has allowed for the Tool Library not only to expand the tool inventory, but also allow for a woodworking workshop space. The workshop allows for Tool Library members to work on larger projects that they do not have the space for at their homes, and will offer home improvement classes to members and the community.

Tool Library Info

Tool Library Hours:
Tool check-out:
Thursday: 3 - 6 p.m.
or by appointment
Tool check-in:
Thursday: 3 - 6 p.m.
or Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
 
Location
225 K Ave. NW Suite G
Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

Contact
Phone: (319) 491-4466
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