Join Shareable and the Tool Library Alliance for a “crossover” session, combining the Library of Things Co-Lab and Mutual Aid 101.
A panel of practitioners from tool libraries and mutual aid groups will discuss the intersection of resource sharing and mutual aid. This session will feature a particular focus on the role tool libraries can play during disasters, like last year’s collaboration between the Asheville Tool Library, WNC Repair Cafe, and Mutual Aid Disaster Relief during the response to Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.
Presenters include:
- Rachel Jerusha Kinbar, co-founder of the Central Florida Tool Library (a project of Central Florida Mutual Aid).
- Shelby Treichle, Asheville Tool Library and WNC Repair Cafe
- Ben Wyatt, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief (Smith Mill Works hub, Western North Carolina)
- Moderated by Tom Llewellyn, Shareable executive director, Asheville Tool Library co-founder, and host of The Response podcast.
- More presenters will be announced as they are confirmed.
Mutual Aid 101 is an ongoing program from Shareable that began with a popular online training series in Spring 2025, attended by thousands, and designed to introduce the core principles and practices of mutual aid. The program continues with new trainings, offering accessible and welcoming content for those just getting started, while drawing on the experience of seasoned mutual aid organizers and activists.
The Library of Things Co-lab is now led by the Tool Library Alliance (a fiscally sponsored project to Shareable) and convenes organizers for training, resources, and support to establish and grow Libraries of Things in their communities.
