This summer , I had the privilege of interning at the Station North Tool Library ( SNTL ). SNTL is a nonprofit tool-lending library located in the Station North Arts District in Baltimore . The organization envisions a world where everyone has access to tools , skills , and a maker workspace , and endeavors to expand access through the power of shared resources .
When I was first placed at SNTL , I was excited about the position but apprehensive about my lackluster knowledge of basic tools . Six weeks at the Tool Library has made me care about tools in a way that I never thought I would . I am inspired by the handy , creative people I interact with during the hours the library is open to the public . On a Saturday morning shift at the Library , I ' ll get caught up in conversation with Baltimore residents who are building their own fences , renovating their homes , or borrowing a sewing machine to repair a seam on their jeans . These mornings at the Tool Library have made me feel more connected to Baltimore and all the little projects going on within its borders .
Throughout my time at the Tool Library , I have come to see tools as an agent of empowerment . Access to tools is a powerful asset , allowing people to take care of and take pride in their homes and neighborhoods . Tool access ( and a little bit of fixing expertise ) can also be a powerful way to give items a second life and prevent broken items from ending up in the landfill . At Fix it Fair , an event I organized , I got to see our volunteer team share their fixing expertise with the community : giving broken items a second life and teaching the skills and mindset required to do these kinds of repairs in the future . Being around people like this really inspired me to learn these skills and be able to take care of my things and the people around me .
The Tool Library is a space of true mutual aid , and I have been really inspired by the generous and warm community I have met here . Though I am not sure exactly where I ' ll end up , this internship has underscored the importance of providing tools , space , and knowledge for people and communities to take care of themselves . I am humbled and grateful to be a part of this vision and hope to continue this line of work by offering resources and making space for communities in Baltimore and beyond .
Conducted Map Tool Library reach : including where members live , how much they pay for memberships , and how membership has changed over time to identify key neighborhoods for outreach and track trends over time and space
Planned and coordinated Fix it Fair : a free public event in which community members bring in broken household items ( from broken toasters to rickety bikes to ripped jeans ) and Tool Library volunteers teach them how to fix their items
Communicated with Tool Library members with expired memberships to raise funding for the organization
Operated the Tool Library during its open hours : lending tools , answering questions , signing people up for classes , renewing memberships , and generally learning about members ’ projects and advising when possible
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29TH STATION
STREET NORTH
COMMUNITY TOOL LIBRARY
CENTER
Intern : Aiman Altaf Supervisor Intern : Nathalie : Ayla Frost Werebe Supervisor : Jessa Wais
What is the 29th Street Community Center ?
The 29th Street
What
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Center
Station offers
North a variety
Tool of programs
Library for
? kids , adults , and all ages . The mission of the 29th Street Community Center is to The build Station and North strengthen Tool neighborhoods Library seeks and to empower people by all bringing people together residents improve of north their central lives Baltimore and environments through meaningful , through community affordable building and high-quality enrichment access programming to tools , for skills all ages , and and workspace background . .
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING NON-PROFIT MANAGEMENT