Volunteer Profile: Lukasz
Interview by Alec Regino
Lukasz is a relatively recent Vancouver transplant who’s quickly become a part of our Vancouver Tool Library (VTL) community. A software engineer originally from Poland, he has been a part of the collective since March 2023.
“The first tool I used from the library was a rake, because I needed to remove some leaves,” Lukasz said. “I came to the library and it escalated to volunteering. Now I volunteer twice per month.”
Having volunteered during his university years in Poland, where he helped teach children with mathematics, Lukasz was drawn to the library due to its mission of making tools accessible to everyone and for the sense of community. In many ways, his experience in volunteering aligns closely with the goals of the library—providing people with the tools they need to accomplish whatever they want.
He also has a creative streak: using tools from the library, he created a lamp out of a Coca-Cola bottle, which now lights up his desk with its warm, soft touch.
Lukasz’s interest in working with his hands extends beyond the VTL. He’s a member of a local wooden boat-building club, which, much like the VTL, allows him to dive into more hands-on projects that contrasts with his daily work in software. He’s also taken up motorcycling, which has led him to utilize VTL’s resources for maintenance on his bike.
Lukasz’s experience at the VTL has deepened his appreciation for the challenges and rewards of collective ownership. He recognizes the balance the library must strike between serving its members and maintaining its operations, from tool upkeep to organizing workshops. He hopes to see the library continue to expand its offerings, perhaps one day providing a dedicated space where members can work on their projects. Overall, the library aligns with Lukasz’s passion for building, whether that’s individual projects or our broader community.
“From a place that enables people to do something by giving them the tools, we’ve moved towards a place that creates communities and brings people together too.”