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

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

• Interviews and follow-ups to be completed through March
  
• Offers established end of March

• Board members and volunteers receive training in April

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:

• Volunteer four hours per month as a Tool Librarian at the ETL (or one shift).
• Attend monthly board meetings either virtually or in person (generally held the second Tuesday of each month). A minimum attendance of 7 per year is required.
• Serve on a minimum of one committee (Fund Development, HR, Marketing, Governance, Operations). 

Board members are asked to serve a minimum two-year term (starting in April). The estimated total monthly time commitment is 7-10 hours a month.

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.

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!

Two of our board members, Darwin and Odessa, were even interviewed by Jered Stuffco for CBC Radio. In case you missed the interview on Edmonton AM on CBC with Mark Connolly, you can listen here. ​

When making the decision to get a broken item repaired vs. replacing it, the financial cost is what usually comes to mind first and foremost. Can I afford to get this item repaired? Can I justify the cost of getting this item repaired?

Sometimes, the answer is a resounding and satisfying “Yes!” Like, getting your favourite pair of boots resoled. Other times, it’s a bit more complicated.

We’re less likely to think twice about repairing big-ticket items like home appliances or vehicles. The higher the original purchase price, the more willing we are to spend money on repairs. It makes financial sense to spend less to repair than to buy new, but for less pricy items, especially those that are made cheaply with the prospect of a short lifespan, it makes less sense. Why spend $30 to repair a toaster when a new one costs $20?

In some cases, getting an item repaired has become a privilege that not everyone can afford and events like local repair cafés can help break down these financial barriers –
there are currently more than 2,000 Repair Café locations across the world, including 35 in Canada. However, sometimes the barriers to repair are more deliberate and the problem needs to be addressed at the source, which is where “Right to Repair” comes in.

In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to repair some consumer goods because manufacturers implement tactics such as digital locks and warranty restrictions to control the repair services market and force consumers to buy new. Right to Repair legislation would require manufacturers to ensure access to parts, tools and information required to repair their products for a reasonable price. Companies that have spoken out against this type of legislation include many we’re all very familiar with: Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Google, to name a few.

Right to Repair legislation has already been implemented in some countries, including the US and the UK, but the battle continues in Canada: Bill C-272, targeting technological protection measures under Canada’s Copyright Act, received unanimous support upon second reading in June 2021, which creates hope for bigger reform here in the future.

In the meantime, there are many items that can be repaired without the need to navigate technological roadblocks and we can start making it a habit to always think of repairing first, then considering other options:

1. Keep supplies at home to do your own repairs. You’d be surprised how many things can be repaired with a needle and thread or some super glue. If you don’t have the skills, consider taking a course or watching some YouTube videos (like, how to fix your umbrella with a pen!)
2. Research local businesses that can repair your items. Quotes can be provided before work is carried out and you may even be pleasantly surprised that the cost to repair is less than you expected. Or visit your local Repair Cafe.
3. If an item actually is irreparable, or you truly cannot justify the expense, consider buying secondhand. Depending on what the item is, it may be possible to support the local sharing economy by borrowing it – like tools from your local tool library!
4. If you must buy new, buy the best quality you can afford. This should mean your item will last longer and it will be easier to justify the cost of repair in the future if or when required.
5. When disposing of a broken item, research if it can be recycled or dropped off at the City of Edmonton Reuse Centre to divert it from landfill.

Of course, there are also other benefits of a repair culture that cannot be ignored. It’s a win for the local economy when we choose to hire the services of a local repair technician rather than buying new. It’s also a win for the planet when an item is given a second (or third or fourth) life to keep it away from landfill.

The Edmonton Tool Library is hosting Edmonton’s first ever Repair Café on 21 August, 10am-4pm.

-Kate Hamilton, ETL board member

Life in Alberta is getting back to normal (or something like it) and so is the Edmonton Tool Library. Starting the first week of August, we will return to our pre-Covid hours: Wednesday 6-8pm and Saturday 11am-3pm.

Online tool reservations will no longer be required, we'll go back to a first-come-first-serve model. You can check our online inventory to confirm if a tool is available or email us at [email protected] to put items aside for you.

For the safety of our volunteer librarians, we respectfull request you continue to wear a mask when entering our indoor space, for now.

We're looking forward to seeing you!

- The ETL Team