Category: News

On Sunday the 20th of April 2014 the Edinburgh Tool Library made it’s public debut to the creative hordes of Edinburgh (hordes in the nicest possible way – you were all lovely) at the Edinburgh Science Festival Mini Maker Faire (ESFMMF). Between our stall and a talk I gave in the Anatomy Room (… think dissection theatre) we estimate we reached nearly 200 people on the day, all of whom were very positive about the idea of the tool library. There might even be one or two of you reading this!

I did my first ever video interview, for an article in Make Magazine and most importantly of all, we discovered that ‘We Built This City’ by Starship, was the most popular tool/building themed song amongst the science festival crowd. I still maintain Peter Gabriel was robbed.

At the faire, we began a mailing list for those people keen to contribute to the tool library in the future. If you missed out on the day, but wish to help out in some way, just drop us a line at hello@edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk and we will add you to the list. We also began getting responses to our survey, which we hope will ensure the tool library is steered in the direction that it’s members want. If you have two minutes it would be of great help if you would fill it in.  You can complete our survey here.  Thanks.

In the week following the makers faire, we have been to a meeting of the Fountainbridge Canalside Initiative, spoken to some lovely people at the Stick Factory in Newington, and had a great buzz on twitter and facebook. Keep spreading the word about the tool library and get in touch if you have anything you wish to contribute or ask about.

Ever since my first experience of the festival, when I saw Professor James Lovelock (bit of a hero of mine) get his Edinburgh medal in the 2006, it has occurred to me that it would be a wonderful thing to be involved in.  Well it seems my daydreaming and wishing has come to fruition as I am delighted to say I have been asked to chat to a few people at the Mini Maker Faire this year, and that Edinburgh Tool Library will have a stall.

We will have a few things for you to get involved in, the opportunity for you to donate tools and sign up for a membership.  We would also love to meet our potential members so please come and chat to us, tell us what you think, what you want from the project and let’s get interactive.  We may also have sugary bribes too!

The Mini Maker Faire starts from 10am on Sunday April the 20^th.

I never thought I could say this but I now have something in common with Matthew McConaughey, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leonardo DiCaprio. Well… sort of! This February, while they were nervously awaiting the result of Best Male category at the Oscars, I had been nervously awaiting news from OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator). Ok, so it’s not quite the same thing, and some could argue it isn’t even close to being the same thing, but think about it; both Chiwetel and I are being judged for their recent work. I share a hunger for success equal to any Wall Street Wolf. And I, like Matthew, had to lose 45 lbs for our roles.

Two out of three ain’t bad!

On a serious note though, going through the grilling that is an application to OSCR has been stressful, but also interesting and revealing. It has been of benefit to me in many ways; forcing me to look at the reasons behind the tool library and where it will benefit society. It makes you look at things from every angle and think critically about your idea. It also focuses the idea, prioritising some areas over others and helps to work out what it is you really want to deliver.

Let’s hope that, at the end of the OSCRs, The Edinburgh Tool Library ends up more Dallas Buyers Club than Movie 43.