diff --git a/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/velocity/DispatcherServlet.java b/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/velocity/DispatcherServlet.java
index e0985fce..1fbf484a 100644
--- a/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/velocity/DispatcherServlet.java
+++ b/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/velocity/DispatcherServlet.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: DispatcherServlet.java,v 1.14 2002/01/24 06:32:38 mdb Exp $
+// $Id: DispatcherServlet.java,v 1.15 2002/02/10 05:06:08 mdb Exp $
 //
 // samskivert library - useful routines for java programs
 // Copyright (C) 2001 Michael Bayne
@@ -262,6 +262,10 @@ public class DispatcherServlet extends VelocityServlet
             FormTool form = new FormTool(req);
             ictx.put(FORMTOOL_KEY, form);
 
+            // create a new string tool for use by the template
+            StringTool string = new StringTool();
+            ictx.put(STRINGTOOL_KEY, string);
+
             // resolve the appropriate logic class for this URI and
             // execute it if it exists
             String path = req.getServletPath();
@@ -396,16 +400,16 @@ public class DispatcherServlet extends VelocityServlet
      */
     protected static final String APPLICATION_KEY = "%_app_%";
 
-    /**
-     * This is the key used to store the message resolver in the context.
-     */
+    /** This is the key used to store the message resolver in the
+     * context. */
     protected static final String MSGRESOLVER_KEY = "i18n";
 
-    /**
-     * This is the key used to store the form tool in the context.
-     */
+    /** This is the key used to store the form tool in the context. */
     protected static final String FORMTOOL_KEY = "form";
 
+    /** This is the key used to store the string tool in the context. */
+    protected static final String STRINGTOOL_KEY = "string";
+
     /** The servlet parameter key specifying the application class. */
     protected static final String APP_CLASS_KEY = "app_class";
 
diff --git a/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/velocity/StringTool.java b/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/velocity/StringTool.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9f9b47f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/velocity/StringTool.java
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+//
+// $Id: StringTool.java,v 1.1 2002/02/10 05:06:09 mdb Exp $
+//
+// samskivert library - useful routines for java programs
+// Copyright (C) 2001 Michael Bayne
+// 
+// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
+// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+// Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+
+package com.samskivert.velocity;
+
+import com.samskivert.util.StringUtil;
+
+/**
+ * Provides simple string funtions like <code>blank()</code>.
+ */
+public class StringTool
+{
+    /**
+     * Returns true if the supplied string is blank, false if not.
+     */
+    public boolean blank (String text)
+    {
+        return StringUtil.blank(text);
+    }
+}