New Billboard at the TLL!

We have a new sign!

Thanks to the efforts of numerous visiting volunteers and our recent influx of astounding AmeriCorps NCCC members, we now have a Tool Lending Library billboard on the side of our building. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to volunteering.

Sincerely,
The HandsOn New Orleans Team

The DIY Energy Auditing Kit Now Available!

Dear Members,

The DIY Energy Auditing Kit is now available to be checked out!

The DIY Energy Auditing Kit is designed to give homeowners and renters the ability to conduct a novice home energy audit that will enable them to make informed decisions about energy-efficiency upgrades. We hope to empower the citizens of Greater New Orleans with the ability to grow sustainably.

This opportunity was made possible through the Market Umbrella's generous Crescent Fund in May of 2010.
HandsOn New Orleans collaborated with Village Green of the New Orleans Public Library to develop a modest energy auditing kit.  Users can take there results to local green experts who can make qualified decisions on the next stage of greening.

Thank you to all who helped and please feel free to ask about the kit!

Sustainable wishes,
-Marc P Santos, AmeriCorps 2009-2010

Power out in the Central City/Mid-City Area, Including the TLL

Power is out at the TLL, but any appointments should be able to be kept today.

Cheers,
Marc

(sent while our generators still have gas)

TLL Back in Action; 2 Weed Wacker Limit per Check Out

Hello Members,

As many of you know, the Tool Lending Library opened today during the usual hours: 10am-5:30pm.  We appreciate everyone's patience with the close down yesterday in light of a massive service project with Brown-Forman (pictures and updates to hopefully arrive soon).

Also, a new limit has been placed on weed wackers:  2 weed wackers per check out is the new maximum.

Cheers,
Marc

TLL Closed Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Attention Members,

The Tool Lending Library will be shutdown tomorrow, Wednesday the 23rd.  We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Any tools intended to be returned that date (which shouldn't many) may be returned by Thursday, June 24th without penalties.

Thanks for your patience and we welcome you to come back Thursday when we will be lending out tools as usual!

Cheers,
Marc

DIY Energy Auditing Kit Update

Great news members,

The items for the DIY Energy Auditing Kit have been coming in and we have been putting them to the test!  Thermal leaks have been detected, power monitors have been monitored (perhaps with some trouble), and faucets have been accused of excessive water flow.

Click here to download the Tool Assessment Results (pdf).

The only thing left standing in the was is a comprehensive how-to guide on the kit.  There are a few great resources out there, my favorite one being a similar guide offered in the Seattle area as well as online.  We hope to be sending out the complete kit by the end of the month.  Keep tuned in as we continue to update!

-Marc

Be Prepared for Hurricane Season/ Check Up w/ Local Forcasts

Be Prepared for Hurricane Season 2010

Get prepared for this year's hurricane season.  Take a look at this helpful information packet online or stop in for copy!

Click here to download the packet!

 Check Up with Local Forcasts

Remember to check the local weather reports and pay attention to weather warnings on TV and the radio.  Click here to find weather forcasts for New Orleans at Weather.com.

Stay safe!
-From the TLL Family

British Volunteer Invasion at the Tool Lending Library!

Thanks volunteers!

Hannah, Amanda, Gareth and Charig graciously gifted us with their well-schooled painting efforts in the midst of a medical conference last Tuesday.

Their group, "Ubuntu", poured their souls into what will become our future Tool Lending Library billboard which will be the beacon to guide future members our way.

Thanks you guys, I hope you made it back to the hotel without getting poured on!
-Marc

New "DIY Energy Auditing" section added

Hello members and fans,

We have a new section entitled DIY Energy Auditing which will eventually contain instruction and supplemental resources on how to conduct your own energy audit.  We hope to provide all the help you will need to give you a boost on the path towards green, economical living.

On the page is a rundown of tools to be included in our upcoming DIY Energy Audit Kit made possible by the Market Umbrella's Crescent Fund.  In the kit, you'll find some fancy electronics as well as some everyday items you might never associate with energy efficiency.

Eventually, we'll post our finalized how-to manual, accompanied by a user-friendly checklist designed and used by Global Green staff.  That way users can return the kit and head to Global Green or another green resource in the area with a concrete idea of what the next steps are towards energy efficiency.

More to come soon so stay tuned!
-Marc

Researching for the DIY Energy Auditing Kit

Hello Members,

This month of May, we hope to be finalizing the tool list for the DIY Energy Auditing Kit.  A bit of research goes a long way as we uncover more resources for saving energy in and around our homes and apartments.  Again, we'd like to thank the Crescent City Farmer's Market whom this opportunity would not be possible without.

Some local resources you may be familiar with include:

• Alliance For Affordable Energy- www.all4energy.org




• Check out there model home exhibition: BuildSmart Learning Center 




• Global Green- www.globalgreen.org
  




• Learn a bit about green products at the Global Green Resource Center
• Or see green technoligies in use at the Global Green Visitor's Center in Holy Cross








• Go Green NOLA- www.gogreennola.org 

We hope to be collaborating with these and other organizations, especially with the help of the Public Library's own Village Green program lead, Ella Stelter, who had approached us with the initial concept for the project!