ETL Blog
A place for announcements, events, projects & opinions
Please be advised:
Edmonton Tool Library AGM (Virtual) Tuesday, 11 April · 7:00 – 8:00pm Google Meet joining info Video call link: meet.google.com/ziu-eytj-omw All ETL members and supporters are invited. We are a Tool Library, so we'll try to make it rivet-ing 🥁 Link to agenda. Even though winter has finally arrived, we were incredibly lucky to have a lengthy gardening and patio season this year. When we put a call out to ETL members, followers & supporters to share the fruits of their summer labour we were thrilled at the results! Not only did folks manage to make huge progress on planting and yard improvement projects, but several of you shared some truly ingenious upcycling endeavours. One member wrote, “Thanks to you guys, we were able to get [these two projects] done and on a budget!” We are so happy to see what ETL members work on when they borrow our tools. We are also grateful to Arch Greenhouses for generously sponsoring the prizes for the contest we ran in conjunction with our call out for photos. We think Arch Greenhouse's origins and operations are inspiring and their values of supporting local community & environmental sustainability align with our own and we were excited to partner with them on this. The two winners of our random prize draw have been contacted directly. In terms of planting gardens, one person created a lovely little berry patch, with saskatoons and three varieties of blueberries (above left). Another used some donated bricks to create flower beds around their home, including this adorable heart-shaped one! (above right).
We absolutely adore that this eco-friendly rain barrel (above left) was created by one of our members using ETL tools. We also love this creative use of a deteriorated baby crib and free scrap lumber into a garden bench (above right). This person states that the bench will be finished once they find another piece of free wood for the front. Having purchased only the screws, this is a truly inspiring upcycling project. Way to go! This bench (before and after shots above) got a major facelift by another ETL member. They refinished the bench and door below using ETL’s jigsaw and heat gun. Great job!!! One creative upcycler created these whimsical garden statues out of worn-out tools (above left). We think this arrangement looks fabulous in their permaculture yard. This talented perrson also turned a couple of old sewing machines into these fun tractor ornaments. Wow! ABOUT OUR SPONSOR: Arch Greenhouses is a social venture of Arch Enterprises, a non profit organization that provides innovative programs, services and employment opportunities to adults with developmental disabilities. Arch Greenhouse is an inclusive work environment and carries a wide selection of annuals and perennials for Spring. Fall Chrysanthemums and Poinsettias make up the bulk of the off-season crops. Seasonally, they stock over 250 varieties of plants, many unique to their one-of-a-kind-in-Alberta growing venture. They are committed to producing top-quality plants in an environmentally-sustainable way, such as using predatory insects as part of a program to reduce pesticide usage. Pay them a visit on the south side of Edmonton or find out more information on their websites - Arch Enterprises and Arch Greenhouses. You can also check them out on Facebook and Instragram. -The ETL Crew Time Commitment: 3-5hrs/month
We’re feeling the heat! Life moves fast and we’ve had to say goodbye to several key volunteers in the past couple months. With the summer in full swing, we’re doing what we can to stay open, but we could definitely use some extra hands on deck! We’re looking to recruit five board volunteers who are committed to helping us keep our doors open. These low maintenance positions do not require previous experience, and come with complimentary access to the ETL. As a board volunteer, you would attend our monthly meeting, and work one shift at the library per month. Our chair/co-chair position is also available- those interested in this position would have the opportunity to volunteer with us and learn the ropes before assuming the position. This is a great opportunity for a rooted community member to build experience and grow with an organization that cares about community, connections, and sustainability. Volunteers would be asked to attend an hour-long monthly meeting (the second Tuesday of every month) as well as volunteer for one shift per month (2-4hrs). If you are interested in gaining valuable experience with a grassroots organization in Edmonton, email us at [email protected] to set-up a meeting time. You can also check out our schedule here to stop in and say hi or learn more! Tell your friends! Tell your dog! We look forward to working with you :)
Join us as we say hello to our new board members, and farewell to the incredible volunteers who are moving on!
Edmonton Tool Library AGM Tuesday, 12 April · 7:00 – 8:00pm Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/icw-xmma-kwx View the agenda here. Closing Date: March 5, 2022
It’s that time of the year again for the ETL- Recruitment! In addition to recruiting much needed support on the board, we’re also urgently calling for volunteer support to help broaden our operating hours while still adhering to necessary health and safety mandates. We’ve had to make many (hasty) changes over the past year, and we can’t begin to express our gratitude and appreciation for those who have supported the ETL’s goals and overarching mission through those changes. Now, we’re looking for individuals who are willing to commit anywhere from 2-10 hours a month- commitment and comfort with remote technology (for meetings and inventory during shifts) are key. We have a wide range of roles, and we’re open to project-oriented volunteer partnerships- if you have knowledge or skills and free time, we’d love to connect! As a Board Member, you will assist the organization with policy creation, financial oversight, fundraising, marketing and overall strategic direction. The ETL is an operating board, so you will also work monthly shifts at the library. This is a fantastic and easy opportunity to boost your resume and get involved with the community. Desired Skills: We’re looking for people who are passionate about sustainability and making their community a better place to be by encouraging the sharing of tools, knowledge, and skills in a welcoming, inclusive and creative environment. Skills or experience in any of the following areas would be considered assets but are not required to apply: finance and accounting, fundraising, grant writing, human resources, marketing and communications/social media, board governance, use and maintenance of hand and power tools, library and/or inventory management. We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive and accessible environment for our members and volunteers- This is a great opportunity for anyone who might not have direct experience, but is looking for a chance to develop valuable skills and board experience. Commitment is key- During these uncertain times, we need people we can count on to keep the doors open for ETL members. Successful board member candidates will be required to:
Volunteers are asked to work at least one shift a month (2-4hrs). Work Location: Edmonton Tool Library, Bellevue Community League, 7308 112 Ave, Edmonton, AB. For applications and questions: Applications sent via email are preferred. Please include a resume and letter of interest saved as one file. Please submit all applications to [email protected]. We hope to hear from you Edmonton! Be well, and stay safe. - The ETL Team At the Edmonton Tool Library, part of our mission is to reduce our impact on the environment through shared resouces. Borrowing a tool rather than buying new is not going to save the planet in isolation, but if lots of people are able to make this small change in addition to a host of other small changes with sustainability in mind, we can make a difference. “Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” -Howard Zinn, playwright, author & social activitst And that's where the idea for our Bingo card comes from. The activities are geared towards DIY, repair & sustainability - many of the activities you might already be doing on a regular basis, others might take a little more effort, but we hope to inspire you to do just a little bit more than you're already doing to reduce your own impact on our planet. We hope you'll play along, have some fun & share your adventures along the way! TO ENTER: 1. FOLLOW THE EDMONTON TOOL LIBRARY, EARTH'S GENERAL STORE & KIND ICE CREAM ON INSTAGRAM &/OR FACEBOOK. 2. COMPLETE FIVE ACTIVITIES IN ANY LINE & POST PHOTO EVIDENCE ON FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM USING THE HASTAG #ETLBINGO. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE AN ETL MEMBER TO PLAY. COMPETITION IS OPEN TO ANYONE IN ALBERTA AGED 18+ AND IS NOT ENDORSED, ADMINISTERED OR ASSOCIATED WITH FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM IN ANY WAY. ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED BY MIDNIGHT 16 NOVEMBER. MULTIPLE ENTRIES PERMITTED, ONE ENTRY PER LINE COMPLETED. WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED 19 NOVEMBER. - The ETL Team The Edmonton Tool Library recently hosted the city’s first ever Repair Café! We were thrilled to see so many community members show up with a wide array of items on the day of the event. Our volunteers channeled their talents to repair everything from bread makers to backpacks to bikes, diverting almost 150 lbs (or 70 kg) from landfill! One person attended to learn how to thread a sewing machine; another couple brought a lawn mower with a stubbornly stuck nut. Happily, nearly all attendees’ needs were met with the skills (and strength) of our volunteers. |
AuthorThe Edmonton Tool Library blog is maintained by the Board, with the occasional guest post. We hope you enjoy it! Archives
March 2023
Categories |