ARTICLES
FOREVER YOUNG
THE SHARING ECONOMY AT WORK “Most people who come into the Tool Library really just need a hole in the wall—they don’t need the drill itself,” explains Aaron Krolikowski, a University Heights Tool Library volunteer, during a 2015 TEDx talk with founder Darren Cotton. In other words, many people just need access to tools, but don’t need to own them. That’s the entire philosophy behind the sharing economy, a model that’s gained increasing attention over the past decade as the rise of social media and apps have made it easier to share resources across neighborhoods, cities, and beyond. In addition to the Tool Library, here are other instances of the sharing economy at work in Buffalo: Buffalo and Erie County Public Libraries: The history of our public library systems dates to 1836, long before the “sharing economy” was a recognized term. These days, residents can borrow books, music, and movies, and use computers, a 3D printer, recording booth, and other equipment at the library. Non-circulating materials include local history collections, sheet music, rare books, and maps. Little Free Libraries: Mini-libraries of all shapes and colors are popping up on lawns and street corners across town. Each encourages passersby to take a book and leave another for
who passed away. (If you’re interested in donating, call 716-510-1745 or visit thetoollibrary.org.) By the end of last year, almost 900 people from nearly seventy ZIP codes were represented in its membership, though about a third live within a twenty-minute walk of the organization. Those tools, members, and volunteers are having a big impact. Throughout the year, the Tool Library is part of many community-driven, grassroots efforts to boost University Heights and the surrounding neighborhoods, whether the organization is simply providing tools to other groups or is initiating and leading a multi-year initiative. Through ReTree the District, for example, the Tool Library has planted more than 1,200 trees across the neighborhood since 2015, helping to restore green spaces and bring the community together. About 1,900 volunteers have contributed more than 7,000 hours of their time to the project. Meanwhile, the Tool Library collaborates with the Bailey Avenue Business Association and other organizations for Bailey Fights Blight, an initiative to improve and reimagine public spaces through street cleanups, community gardening, and public art. According to Cotton, the organization catalogued blighted properties along Bailey Avenue before starting their efforts and, two years later, and found a forty percent decline in blight, including many properties their team never touched, which demonstrates how dedication and investment beget further investment.
someone else to enjoy. Airbnb, Couchsurfing, VRBO: If you have an extra room—or an entire apartment—to spare, Airbnb, Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO), and similar services allow you to make use of it by renting space to travelers. Meanwhile, Couchsurfing, which launched in 2004, is a social network and app in which local hosts invite travelers to stay free of charge. Co-Working Space: By using shared workspaces, freelancers, sole proprietors, and startup founders don’t need to invest in office space of their own and can enjoy the amenities and community that co-working spaces provide. Locally, Inception Buffalo, and dig in the Innovation Center offer co-working space, while the Annex Kitchen on West Ferry provides a shared kitchen and workspace to chefs, bakers, food trucks, and other culinary operations. Transportation: In addition to our public transit system, other innovative forms of transportation-sharing abound in the Queen City: consider ZipCar for automobiles; Reddy Bikeshare, Blue Bikes, and rentals from shops like Campus Wheel Works for bicycles; and Buffalo Boat Share for a summer day on the lake. Buy Nothing: Search on Facebook to see if there’s a Buy Nothing Project for your neighborhood. These groups, and others like them, allow people to donate items they don’t need to others in their area, as well as make requests for items they’re looking for, rather than buy them new.
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