The Tool Library is open every Wednesday from 3-6 pm and every Saturday from 9-12 pm at 89 Lexington Avenue Albany NY 12206.

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Tool Library Year 2 Fundraiser - $10,000 Goal

Donate to the Tool Library

Help Write the Next Chapter: Support Historic Albany Foundation's Tool Library for Year 2!

Dear Community:

We're excited to share that Historic Albany Foundation's Tool Library is about to embark on its second year of empowering DIY enthusiasts, preserving our city's architectural heritage, and fostering a thriving community of makers! But we need your help to make it happen!

Our Goal: $10,000

The Tool Library's mission is to provide access to a wide range of tools and resources, offer engaging workshops, and promote sustainable and equitable practices. However, we can't do it alone. To ensure we can continue serving our community in the best way possible, we've set a fundraising goal of $10,000, and we need your generous contributions to achieve it. Our budget for our first year was $12,000 and ensured we could provide free workshops, market the library, purchase new tools, feed our team on volunteer days, and provide safety equipment for all members.

Why Donate to the Tool Library?

1️⃣ Empower DIY Enthusiasts: Your donation directly impacts the lives of DIYers, makers, and dreamers, offering them the tools they need to bring their creative visions to life.

2️⃣ Preserve Our Heritage: By supporting the Tool Library, you also contribute to preserving our city's rich architectural heritage. Together, we safeguard the stories embedded in our historic buildings.

3️⃣ Strengthen Community Bonds: The Tool Library isn't just a collection of tools; it's a vibrant hub that brings people together, fostering connections and camaraderie among like-minded individuals.

4️⃣ Environmental Impact: Emphasizing sustainability, the Tool Library promotes eco-friendly practices by encouraging sharing and reducing waste through resourceful projects.

5️⃣ Be Part of Creating an Equitable and Empowering Community: The Tool Library aims to make preservation and home maintenance accessible to everyone.

🤝How to Contribute:

1️⃣ Make a Direct Donation: Every dollar counts! Help kick off the next 12 months with a bang! >> DONATE ANY AMOUNT HERE <<

2️⃣ Share the Love: Spread the word about our fundraising campaign on social media, among friends, and in your community. Together, we can create a wave of support!

3️⃣ Volunteer Your Time: If you can't donate financially, consider volunteering at the Tool Library. Your expertise and assistance are invaluable in keeping our operations running smoothly.

Join Our Journey: By donating to the Historic Albany Foundation's Tool Library, you become an integral part of our mission. Your contribution helps us continue providing vital resources, educational opportunities, and a space where creativity thrives.

🌟 Let's make Year 2 the best yet! Together, we'll write a new chapter in the Tool Library's history. Thank you for being a vital part of our journey. 🌟

Donate to the Tool Library
Pay it forward membership

General Questions? Email the Tool Lending Library here

Want to volunteer as a ‘Tool Librarian’?
We are always looking for new people to join our fantastic volunteer librarian team!
Email info@historic-albany.org or call 518 465 0876 ext.110 to find out more.

How Does the Library Work?

See Kimberley Parker talking about the Tool Lending Library on WTEN, Jan 2023

  • The library operates on a first-come, first-served basis and has over 500 items (pressure washers, shop vacs, tool kits, power tools, garden tools)

  • Members can borrow 2 items for two weeks at a time

  • 'Kits' count as one item

  • Membership costs $20 for the year

  • $15 for Historic Albany Foundation/Albany Public Library Members

  • The library is open Wed, 3-6 pm, and Sat 9-12 pm at 89 Lexington Ave Albany NY 12206

  • Tools must be clean when returned and must be dropped off only when the library is open

Why a Tool Library?

Libraries of ‘things’ have been growing in popularity as an antidote to waste, the excess of consumerism, and the issue of ongoing inequality. For a minimal annual fee of $20, all members will be able to borrow items as and when they need them. Tools are often expensive and for many do not represent a meaningful investment, in that they may only be used a handful of times, are for one project, or are only used at certain times of the year. The Tool Library not only promotes a sharing economy but also empowers the residents of the Capital Region by showing them how to use the tools.  

In short, our aim for the Tool Library is to:

> Provide tools to make home maintenance and preservation more accessible

> Empower individuals by teaching them skills 

> Create an active sharing economy and community

> Help the environment 


Workshops & Training Schedule 

Sometimes a YouTube video just won’t do. People want to practice handling the tools in the presence of an experienced user and to be able to ask questions, seek guidance, and share experiences. We want the Tool Library to be a place for exactly that. We will be organizing workshops where anyone can drop by and learn DIY maintenance and preservation skills; more than that, we want to begin building a community where people can share their knowledge, problem-solve together, and feel supported.

Want to be involved and make a difference? Here's how…

1. Donate your time and become a ‘Tool Librarian’

We are looking for committed people to make up our Tool Library Volunteer Team. Librarians staff the library once or twice a month, helping to intake tools, providing basic safety training and advice, maintaining tools, and checking the tools back into the system. We also carry out several volunteer days throughout the year to help other organizations (past partners include the West Hill Refugee Center, Endure Indoor Skatepark, and the Shaker Heritage Society). Learn more about being part of the team by emailing info@historic-albany.org or call 518 465 0876 ext 110

2. Donate your Spare Tools

We have a tool wishlist for our much-requested items here. Please consider gifting/donating one of these items. At this time, general tool donations are closed.

3. Donate your $ to Support 

The Tool Library is looking to secure funds to pay for the costs of the software, staff time, tool repair, and of course the tools! If this is a project you would like to support, click on the button below.

4. Donate your Special Skills 

We are looking for individuals to lead workshops/training sessions to help new tool users gain independence and confidence. Do you know how to sand a door? Fix a window? Operate a circular saw? Rewire a lamp? Lead a session as a Tool Library Presenter to help DIYers as part of our workshop program (email info@historic-albany.org to chat more). Presenters received an optional stipend.

If you want to learn more about the Tool Library in general, email us here or call 518-465-0876 X.110


>> Are you a business or organization that might be interested in sponsoring the Tool Library? Contact us for sponsor levels. <<

Thank you to our sponsors

Bender Family Foundation

The Family of Evan Richards

Kyle Neiswender

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