State's First Tool Library One Step Closer to Opening in Bloomington
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: December 6, 2012
BLOOMINGTON- Elsie Cadieux doesn't consider herself a handyman.
But her husband Andre was.
"Tools were very important to him," said Cadieux. "He wanted the right tool for the right job. So he had a tool for almost everything."
When he passed away last year, he left her with dozens of tools.
"Some of the traditional ones. Hammer, saw, chisel, wire cutter," lists Cadieux.
These are items she knew wouldn't be used at her house...but could be at others.
So she came to the 800 Block of West Washington Street in Bloomington, and dropped them off at a place soon to be known as the Tool Library.
"They don't wear out," said Cadieux. "So, why not have those accessible to a lot of people?"
Cadieux donated dozens of items to the cause.
A tool box, once belonging to her husband is filled with wrenches.
"For Elsie to be able to hand her tools over to us and then have those tools be used in the community I think is a great thing," said Matt Lalonde.
Lalonde is a local college student, and the founder of this new cause.
For months he's been collecting donations...hammering in the message, just one item, can be shared by many.
"You should have access to tools, and this is a great way to provide everyone in the community with that," he explained.
With more people borrowing, instead of buying, the hope is tools like the ones from Cadieux will get a second life making a difference for others.
"He'd be very pleased, very pleased," she said. "I know he would. He would not want me to sell them. He would want them to be used."
The Tool Library opens in January.
If you'd like to donate, items can be dropped off at the West Bloomington Revitalization Project Building every Wednesday from 3-5pm.
Address: 800 West Washington Street, Bloomington
Phone: 829-1200
But her husband Andre was.
"Tools were very important to him," said Cadieux. "He wanted the right tool for the right job. So he had a tool for almost everything."
When he passed away last year, he left her with dozens of tools.
"Some of the traditional ones. Hammer, saw, chisel, wire cutter," lists Cadieux.
These are items she knew wouldn't be used at her house...but could be at others.
So she came to the 800 Block of West Washington Street in Bloomington, and dropped them off at a place soon to be known as the Tool Library.
"They don't wear out," said Cadieux. "So, why not have those accessible to a lot of people?"
Cadieux donated dozens of items to the cause.
A tool box, once belonging to her husband is filled with wrenches.
"For Elsie to be able to hand her tools over to us and then have those tools be used in the community I think is a great thing," said Matt Lalonde.
Lalonde is a local college student, and the founder of this new cause.
For months he's been collecting donations...hammering in the message, just one item, can be shared by many.
"You should have access to tools, and this is a great way to provide everyone in the community with that," he explained.
With more people borrowing, instead of buying, the hope is tools like the ones from Cadieux will get a second life making a difference for others.
"He'd be very pleased, very pleased," she said. "I know he would. He would not want me to sell them. He would want them to be used."
The Tool Library opens in January.
If you'd like to donate, items can be dropped off at the West Bloomington Revitalization Project Building every Wednesday from 3-5pm.
Address: 800 West Washington Street, Bloomington
Phone: 829-1200
