Want to get involved?
Volunteers are at the heart of the Edmonton Tool Library (ETL), and there are a number of ways to get involved! We hope that you see an option that allows you to explore your interests and share your talents while helping expand Edmonton’s sharing economy and increasing community access to home improvement.
Below is a list of the types of volunteers it takes to keep the ETL running:
Tool Librarian
Our Librarians interact with members: lending tools, managing memberships, and organizing our inventory. They also foster the sense of community at the ETL, explaining the library to visitors, sharing upcoming events, and building relationships with members. Shifts are 2-4 hours, during Tool Library hours.
Tool Expert
Sometimes, learning from YouTube videos and blog posts isn’t enough! Our Tool Experts have sufficient general expertise to offer advice regarding the best methods and tools for most home reno and personal DIY projects. They ensure that members leave with not only the right tools, but the knowledge and protective gear to make sure they can do it safely. Shifts are four hours, during Tool Library hours. This role requires significant expertise.
Social Media
Our social media team is responsible for content creation, managing online interactions, and promoting the ETL and our activities. They excite and engage our audience (members, supporters and others) on various platforms and aren’t strangers to hashtags. This is a variable time commitment, and much can be done from home.
Outreach Volunteer
We regularly host a table at events and are actively working to get the word out about the Tool Library and increase our reach in Edmonton. This can include postering, promotion, tabling at community events and other functions. This is a great way to meet other enthusiastic ETL volunteers, and also great for getting volunteer hours for school. Shifts are variable, and calls will be sent out throughout the year as needed.
Tool Doctor
We’re fortunate to receive many donated tools, but they’re not always in good condition (or even working!). Tool Doctors are responsible for keeping our inventory in safe, working condition, but they also strip tools for parts and sometimes repair or even rebuild them. They also diagnose and repair any tools that come back broken or ‘not working’, plus conduct regular upkeep like maintaining blades, bits and belts. Shifts are variable, but require significant expertise.
Board Member
The ETL’s board members are all volunteers! Keep an eye out if you’re looking to get some board experience or want to help influence the direction of the ETL. We put a call out once a year in the late winter / early spring for new board members. Terms are a minimum of one year.
Below is a list of the types of volunteers it takes to keep the ETL running:
Tool Librarian
Our Librarians interact with members: lending tools, managing memberships, and organizing our inventory. They also foster the sense of community at the ETL, explaining the library to visitors, sharing upcoming events, and building relationships with members. Shifts are 2-4 hours, during Tool Library hours.
Tool Expert
Sometimes, learning from YouTube videos and blog posts isn’t enough! Our Tool Experts have sufficient general expertise to offer advice regarding the best methods and tools for most home reno and personal DIY projects. They ensure that members leave with not only the right tools, but the knowledge and protective gear to make sure they can do it safely. Shifts are four hours, during Tool Library hours. This role requires significant expertise.
Social Media
Our social media team is responsible for content creation, managing online interactions, and promoting the ETL and our activities. They excite and engage our audience (members, supporters and others) on various platforms and aren’t strangers to hashtags. This is a variable time commitment, and much can be done from home.
Outreach Volunteer
We regularly host a table at events and are actively working to get the word out about the Tool Library and increase our reach in Edmonton. This can include postering, promotion, tabling at community events and other functions. This is a great way to meet other enthusiastic ETL volunteers, and also great for getting volunteer hours for school. Shifts are variable, and calls will be sent out throughout the year as needed.
Tool Doctor
We’re fortunate to receive many donated tools, but they’re not always in good condition (or even working!). Tool Doctors are responsible for keeping our inventory in safe, working condition, but they also strip tools for parts and sometimes repair or even rebuild them. They also diagnose and repair any tools that come back broken or ‘not working’, plus conduct regular upkeep like maintaining blades, bits and belts. Shifts are variable, but require significant expertise.
Board Member
The ETL’s board members are all volunteers! Keep an eye out if you’re looking to get some board experience or want to help influence the direction of the ETL. We put a call out once a year in the late winter / early spring for new board members. Terms are a minimum of one year.
