On March 31, 2026, staff convened an information gathering session with community partners and interested organizations. Staff invited 123 individuals, with 18 registering in advance and 19 attending. The City opened the session by outlining the purpose of the meeting, providing background on the City’s interest in supporting a community tool library, and sharing Council’s vision for the program as expressed by Councilmember Amy Falcone.
Staff then welcomed Josh Epstein, Executive Director of Seattle REconomy’s NE Seattle and Shoreline Tool Libraries. Mr. Epstein presented an overview of their operations, community benefits, revenue and expense considerations, possible operational models, and related resources. A key helpful resource Mr. Epstein highlighted for Tool Library operations was the Library of Things Toolkit website.
Following his presentation, City staff shared information about potential City funding, the Council’s requirement to approve a plan, and an estimated timeline for selecting an operator. Engagement during the session was high, with more than 20 questions asked during the Q&A portions and additional small‑group conversations occurring organically among participants. This feedback provided valuable insights into community interest, operational considerations, and partnership opportunities for a future tool lending library in Kirkland. Staff also collected a survey from attendees regarding their desired level of involvement.
A full recap of the event, including the invitation list, presentation slides, and the results of the partner interest survey, can be found here(PDF, 1MB) .