Hello dear Tool Library community! My name is Josh and I am your humble new tool librarian, AKA, coordinator. A bit about me you ask? Well sure. I’m originally from upstate New York, grew up mostly in Boulder, Colorado, went to college outside of LA, and I have called Seattle home for the last 12 years. I first became a member of the Tool Library a few years ago while my partner and I converted our garage into a loft apartment (check out the pics). We were very happy not to have to buy scaffolding and a cement mixer, along with many other tools we borrowed. I used to manage the Cascade People’s Center (a community and environmental education center near downtown). I have been a professional camper, potter, and sandwich master. I raise vegetables, chickens, bees, and an 11 month-old cherub named Cedar. I can’t wait to help you get what you need to get your job done!
Josh Epstein
Before the Tool Library
After the Tool Library
From Chris Lemmen, the coordinator to all my dear members, staff, and volunteers. It has been a privilege and a wonderful experience to serve you at the tool library. It is with a heavy heart I have to announce I will be leaving Seattle and moving to Northern Idaho, Couer D’ Alene area by September. My last official day at NESTL is July 6th. I will miss you all and the tool library.
Who knows? Maybe Northern Idaho has a tool library in its future.
Dear Tool Library Members,
In an effort to provide you and our staff with a safe COVID environment we implemented a tool reservation system and no contact curbside pickup. These procedures are not working adequately,sowe are discontinuing tool reservations effective immediately. See below for more details.
Current approved tool reservations: If you have received an e-mail that your tools are ready, please come pick up your order on June 6th or 7th. After that date your reservation will be cancelled and tools will be returned to inventory.
Pending tool reservations: Reservations that have not been approved will be deleted/canceled effective immediately. We apologize for any inconvenience.
NEW Procedure: Starting on June 6 and 7 we are implementing modified operations, allowing a limited number of members (maximum of 4 at one time) into the tool library to personally select their tools while maintaining safety protocols. Masks are still mandatory, and we expect members to maintain 6 foot social distancing. Members should be prepared to wait, so please plan for extra time to allow for everyone’s safety.
Open Hours: We will continue weekends only, Saturday 9 am – 12 noon and Sunday 2 – 5 pm.
Tool Returns: go to the tool return/disinfecting station (back/East side) and a volunteer will assist you. Please return your tools first before entering the library. Please return your tools ASAP, as we are open again and need them. Overdue fees will start accumulating again effective June 1st, and no further renewals will be allowed on tools out since our closure.
Tool selection and check out: Go to the back of the building to the East door stairs to ENTER. Wait to be called in by a coordinator or volunteer. To ease congestion members are asked to come solo. Please be prepared with a list of desired tools to expedite service. Unavailable tools may be placed on the wait hold list. EXIT at the North loading dock.
To keep the tool library open we need more volunteers. The June calendar is very open, so please consider signing up. We always enforce mask use and social distance protocol as much as possible.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation while we work to keep our members and staff safe.
– The NE Seattle Tool Library Steering Committee
February the 25th, 2019
Here is a genuine note of thanks from a member during a 2019 weather event, to open towards a much overdue edition of the online newsletter. More to come soon!
When the NE tool library had its weekend of giving away free surplus tools last summer during the move, I arrived so late, all that was left was a huge snow shovel which seemed silly at the time to take but I didn’t want to leave empty handed. That shovel has been an absolute blessing this past week, allowing us to clear our driveways and keep sidewalks safer for our neighbors. Thank you!!!! — in Ravenna, Seattle.
FALL NEWSLETTER * November the 13th, 2016
Hello and happy fall, to all you friends of the North East Seattle Tool Library.
It has been about 6 months since we started here as the new coordinators and took the reigns from the fantastic Sarah K., who was our mentor and coach through the process of defining our new roles here. Chris and I are very excited to be at the library and agree that half a year has just flown by and a whole lot of fun has been had getting to know our neighbors and our volunteers and getting to know the pace and the systems by which NESTL operates. We hope to make this library the best community resource that it can be as we move forward.
NEW AROUND THE LIBRARY We have had the good fortune to come by a whole lot of new resources in the last few months. Some in the form of tools and consumables, and in some cases it has been new friends and volunteers of the NESTL. We are have gotten to the point where many of our new tool donations go to other tool libraries that we have built relationships with and with respect to the space crunch that we go through it has been quite a blessing to be able to share. There has also been some reorganization out on the floor that you may have noticed, ie. new shelves for new tools etc., (even a new laptop for sign up and check out)
New People around the NESTL have included some new volunteers, both giving there time during open hours and even some new folks at our Fixers Collective for which we are extremely grateful.
Some new things around the NESTL are: Random Orbit Sanders, A Paint Sprayer (+ nozzles), A Mitre Saw, and a large scale Wet Tile Saw – just to name a few…
And to name another…
CIDER PRESS! Late this last summer and through the fall we have been having our Cider Press Event weekends where we had a cider press available for community use here in the lot at our location. This would not be possible with out the donation of what has become our second reliable in house press. It came to us via a friend of Chris who was kind enough to let us have it here through the season and when demand required, we could loan it out to folks as well.
At first, cider pressing in the lot was just on Saturdays and then as interest grew, Sundays became a part of the press program as well. There have been some very busy weekends with crews of people out on the lot, some families and new friends helping each other and pressing easily hundreds, if not thousands, of gallons of cider. There were as many as three presses going at once on some of the busier Saturdays
We are happy that it caught on as well as it did and we look forward to doing it again next year. We would also like to thank everyone who participated for taking such good care of the presses AND for helping to keep the lot clean- without that we couldn’t make it available at all so-Thanks a million for making it work…
(Oh, and thanks for all the cider samples as well!)
Those who joined us on Saturdays to press cider in the lot will have met a fantastic volunteer who donated the use of her own very sophisticated equipment and who totally changed the game as far as what people who came out to press could accomplish by sharing her expertise and enthusiasm for cider pressing and building community!
THREE CHEERS FOR JANE!!! HOORAYYyy Hoorayyyy hoooraaaayyyyyy ! (*firecrackers* *confetti* *the works*)
Thanks Jane! We couldn’t have done it with out you!
THE MOVE As many of you already know, we are moving. In about one year from now our lease will expire, and though we are sad to leave our current location we are looking forward to having a new spot that will be able to help us become a better library. This may mean more space, or more convenience, but above all our goals are centered around being able to serve the community better. Whether this means we do so with classroom/event space or an accessible workshop space or both, as well as where we do so, will depend on the search process. If you are interested in participating in the effort to relocate or have any information you would like to share or questions you would like to ask please email at nestlmove@gmail.com (please not this email address is new and just for notices about the move, all other library questions can be sent to our regular email shown below.)
So, in closing…
From Mike- I’d like to say thanks, to our members, our volunteers, and my new buddy Chris for making the last six months so much fun and so informative. Thanks everyone!
From Chris- I’m having a fantastic time here at NESTL. I really enjoy working our volunteers, helping our members, and the weekend cider pressing festival has been a blast. Don’t hesitate to come visit me at my studio/shop, 75th and 33rd Ave NE, look for the chevy pick-up with the metal art rack.
NEWSLETTER
September 1, 2020,
Hi, I’m Your New Coordinator!
Hello dear Tool Library community! My name is Josh and I am your humble new tool librarian, AKA, coordinator. A bit about me you ask? Well sure. I’m originally from upstate New York, grew up mostly in Boulder, Colorado, went to college outside of LA, and I have called Seattle home for the last 12 years. I first became a member of the Tool Library a few years ago while my partner and I converted our garage into a loft apartment (check out the pics). We were very happy not to have to buy scaffolding and a cement mixer, along with many other tools we borrowed. I used to manage the Cascade People’s Center (a community and environmental education center near downtown). I have been a professional camper, potter, and sandwich master. I raise vegetables, chickens, bees, and an 11 month-old cherub named Cedar. I can’t wait to help you get what you need to get your job done!
Josh Epstein
Before the Tool Library
After the Tool Library
From Chris Lemmen, the coordinator to all my dear members, staff, and volunteers. It has been a privilege and a wonderful experience to serve you at the tool library. It is with a heavy heart I have to announce I will be leaving Seattle and moving to Northern Idaho, Couer D’ Alene area by September. My last official day at NESTL is July 6th. I will miss you all and the tool library.
Who knows? Maybe Northern Idaho has a tool library in its future.
Dear Tool Library Members,
In an effort to provide you and our staff with a safe COVID environment we implemented a tool reservation system and no contact curbside pickup. These procedures are not working adequately, so we are discontinuing tool reservations effective immediately. See below for more details.
Current approved tool reservations: If you have received an e-mail that your tools are ready, please come pick up your order on June 6th or 7th. After that date your reservation will be cancelled and tools will be returned to inventory.
Pending tool reservations: Reservations that have not been approved will be deleted/canceled effective immediately. We apologize for any inconvenience.
NEW Procedure: Starting on June 6 and 7 we are implementing modified operations, allowing a limited number of members (maximum of 4 at one time) into the tool library to personally select their tools while maintaining safety protocols. Masks are still mandatory, and we expect members to maintain 6 foot social distancing. Members should be prepared to wait, so please plan for extra time to allow for everyone’s safety.
Open Hours: We will continue weekends only, Saturday 9 am – 12 noon and Sunday 2 – 5 pm.
Tool Returns: go to the tool return/disinfecting station (back/East side) and a volunteer will assist you. Please return your tools first before entering the library. Please return your tools ASAP, as we are open again and need them. Overdue fees will start accumulating again effective June 1st, and no further renewals will be allowed on tools out since our closure.
Tool selection and check out: Go to the back of the building to the East door stairs to ENTER. Wait to be called in by a coordinator or volunteer. To ease congestion members are asked to come solo. Please be prepared with a list of desired tools to expedite service. Unavailable tools may be placed on the wait hold list. EXIT at the North loading dock.
To keep the tool library open we need more volunteers. The June calendar is very open, so please consider signing up. We always enforce mask use and social distance protocol as much as possible.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation while we work to keep our members and staff safe.
– The NE Seattle Tool Library Steering Committee
February the 25th, 2019
Here is a genuine note of thanks from a member during a 2019 weather event, to open towards a much overdue edition of the online newsletter. More to come soon!
When the NE tool library had its weekend of giving away free surplus tools last summer during the move, I arrived so late, all that was left was a huge snow shovel which seemed silly at the time to take but I didn’t want to leave empty handed. That shovel has been an absolute blessing this past week, allowing us to clear our driveways and keep sidewalks safer for our neighbors. Thank you!!!! — in Ravenna, Seattle.
FALL NEWSLETTER * November the 13th, 2016
Hello and happy fall, to all you friends of the North East Seattle Tool Library.
It has been about 6 months since we started here as the new coordinators and took the reigns from the fantastic Sarah K., who was our mentor and coach through the process of defining our new roles here. Chris and I are very excited to be at the library and agree that half a year has just flown by and a whole lot of fun has been had getting to know our neighbors and our volunteers and getting to know the pace and the systems by which NESTL operates. We hope to make this library the best community resource that it can be as we move forward.
NEW AROUND THE LIBRARY
We have had the good fortune to come by a whole lot of new resources in the last few months. Some in the form of tools and consumables, and in some cases it has been new friends and volunteers of the NESTL. We are have gotten to the point where many of our new tool donations go to other tool libraries that we have built relationships with and with respect to the space crunch that we go through it has been quite a blessing to be able to share. There has also been some reorganization out on the floor that you may have noticed, ie. new shelves for new tools etc., (even a new laptop for sign up and check out)
New People around the NESTL have included some new volunteers, both giving there time during open hours and even some new folks at our Fixers Collective for which we are extremely grateful.
Some new things around the NESTL are: Random Orbit Sanders, A Paint Sprayer (+ nozzles), A Mitre Saw, and a large scale Wet Tile Saw – just to name a few…
And to name another…
CIDER PRESS!
Late this last summer and through the fall we have been having our Cider Press Event weekends where we had a cider press available for community use here in the lot at our location. This would not be possible with out the donation of what has become our second reliable in house press. It came to us via a friend of Chris who was kind enough to let us have it here through the season and when demand required, we could loan it out to folks as well.
At first, cider pressing in the lot was just on Saturdays and then as interest grew, Sundays became a part of the press program as well. There have been some very busy weekends with crews of people out on the lot, some families and new friends helping each other and pressing easily hundreds, if not thousands, of gallons of cider. There were as many as three presses going at once on some of the busier Saturdays
We are happy that it caught on as well as it did and we look forward to doing it again next year. We would also like to thank everyone who participated for taking such good care of the presses AND for helping to keep the lot clean- without that we couldn’t make it available at all so-Thanks a million for making it work…
(Oh, and thanks for all the cider samples as well!)
Those who joined us on Saturdays to press cider in the lot will have met a fantastic volunteer who donated the use of her own very sophisticated equipment and who totally changed the game as far as what people who came out to press could accomplish by sharing her expertise and enthusiasm for cider pressing and building community!
THREE CHEERS FOR JANE!!! HOORAYYyy Hoorayyyy hoooraaaayyyyyy ! (*firecrackers* *confetti* *the works*)
Thanks Jane! We couldn’t have done it with out you!
THE MOVE
As many of you already know, we are moving. In about one year from now our lease will expire, and though we are sad to leave our current location we are looking forward to having a new spot that will be able to help us become a better library. This may mean more space, or more convenience, but above all our goals are centered around being able to serve the community better. Whether this means we do so with classroom/event space or an accessible workshop space or both, as well as where we do so, will depend on the search process. If you are interested in participating in the effort to relocate or have any information you would like to share or questions you would like to ask please email at nestlmove@gmail.com (please not this email address is new and just for notices about the move, all other library questions can be sent to our regular email shown below.)
So, in closing…
From Mike- I’d like to say thanks, to our members, our volunteers, and my new buddy Chris for making the last six months so much fun and so informative. Thanks everyone!
From Chris- I’m having a fantastic time here at NESTL. I really enjoy working our volunteers, helping our members, and the weekend cider pressing festival has been a blast. Don’t hesitate to come visit me at my studio/shop, 75th and 33rd Ave NE, look for the chevy pick-up with the metal art rack.
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