Need a power drill to hang some shelves? Or maybe a ladder to clean your gutters? For residents of South King and Pierce Counties, the solution is at the South King Tool Library.
This nonprofit tool lending library allows members to borrow all kinds of tools to work on home improvement and maintenance projects. From ladders and levels to routers and tillers, the library stocks over $100,000 worth of tools available for week-long loans.
“We lend out tools for everyone to use to maintain their homes and spaces, all while reducing the waste of unnecessary consumption, removing barriers to access of expensive tools, and empowering folks to make the changes they need or want to in their spaces,” said Ket Buchholz, program manager at the Tool Library.
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The vast selection of tools available for rent.
Since opening in 2013, the Tool Library has enabled thousands of projects while saving members money and storage space. By sharing tools cooperatively, it also keeps more than six tons of materials out of landfills every year.
The Tool Library is open three days a week for tool pickups and returns. Membership is free, with the organization relying on grants and community donations to operate. In addition to tool lending, the library offers DIY classes and community workshops on topics like bike repair, plumbing, woodworking, and gardening.
“We approach the community resource aspect of the tool library by focusing on waste reduction, habit forming, and response to a community’s needs,” Buchholz said.
Popular offerings include home maintenance staples like cordless drills, sanders, and paint sprayers. But specialty tools are also available, like pronged pickaxes for removing blackberry bushes or electrical multimeters for diagnosing wiring issues.
The inventory is a mix of donated and purchased tools, based on community demand. Local residents are encouraged to suggest new tools to add to the library’s wish list. Tool donations are also accepted, as long as they are in good working order.
Yard tools like loppers, hoses, and lawnmowers see frequent use during the summer. But the library aims to offer solutions year-round, with cold weather favorites like power washers and tile cutters.
Coming up, the Tool Library plans to open a second location in Auburn, expanding services south to Pierce County. A series of open house events and classes will celebrate the new site’s grand opening Oct. 12-14.
“Having access to tools can help you take care of your work spaces and serve your community,” Buchholz said.
By sharing resources and skills, the South King Tool Library empowers homeowners to become more self-reliant while building community. For more information visit South King Tool Library.
