We love our busy urban neighborhood, but living in small spaces presents unique challenges. We don't have room to store those useful things we need now and again but don't use regularly, like a circular saw, ice cream maker, or a table for twelve. Perhaps our small living  spaces help us see more easily a problem that all Americans face: it is wasteful and expensive for all of us to buy and own things that we don't regularly use. By sharing tools and other durable goods, we can shrink our environmental footprint (impact on the planet) while maintaining convenient access to things that make our lives better. Our vision for the library is broader than just sharing tools, however. We also want to provide a space where people can come together to work on projects and share skills and talents with one another. We want to build a strong and resilient community in the heart of Seattle's densest urban neighborhood.