A tool library in Northwest D.C. was broken into twice this month and temporarily closed as a result. After a fundraiser surpassed a goal of $15,000 in one week, the library plans to reopen, improve security and expand.
The Twin Oaks Tool Library at 14th and Taylor streets NW works like a regular library except, instead of books, they loan out tools. It’s housed in a tattered wood building nestled in a community garden.
Before the fundraising goal was met, librarian Abigail Salvatore said she was unsure if the library could recover. Equipment worth more than $11,000 was taken in thefts caught on video.
“It's just a really valuable community resource, and to see that taken away from the neighborhood, from the community, is really hard to see,” she said.
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A neighbor’s security camera caught one of the break-ins. Video shows two people making multiple trips to steal tools, using a shopping cart to carry some items away.
“They took a ton of our power tools, batteries, saws, a generator … [and] a ton of the more valuable tools that we have, some of the most popular stuff,” Salvatore said. “It feels really cleaned out,” she added.
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The tool library has loaned out tools for three years and will continue to, as they plan to reopen in the spring and expand to Ward 7 later in the year.
