Like a traditional library, a Tool Library is a sustainable community resource that lends tools for short term use. Sharing tools helps save you money by not buying ones you will only use a few times. It also gives you access to many more tools as well as a “Do-It-Yourself” community.
Each library offers tools for maintenance and repairs in the home and garden, which can include woodworking, plumbing, food preparation, yard maintenance, auto maintenance, and many other needs. Some of the tools you might find include drills, saws, soldering torches, juicers, sewing machines, lawn aerators, and other tools needed by homeowners, gardeners, bicyclists, boaters, artists, craftspeople, hobbyists, or you.
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Tool libraries loan tools like chainsaws – DepositPhotos.com
In addition, tool libraries might also provide classes, events, workshop space, knowledge sharing and “know how”, and other “Do-It-Yourself” resources. Many groups encourage community projects such as home energy improvements, water conservation, vegetable gardens, food preservation, and other sustainability measures.
To help pay costs, most tool libraries are run by volunteers. They also rely on nominal lending fees, membership, and/or donations to sustain the tool collection and other costs associated with storing, maintaining, repairing, managing, and lending the tools. Most libraries have a pay-what-you-can policy and will also require some minimal form of identification or registration in order to share in the available resources.
There are a wide variety of tool libraries in the Puget Sound region. They are listed below by location, going roughly north to south in Seattle and then elsewhere in the region. You usually want to start with the library nearest you. If they don’t have the tool you need, you can usually find another library that does, or make a request that the tool be acquired.
Seattle Tool Libraries
(Listed roughly going north to south)
NE Seattle Tool Library + Seattle REconomy Membership Fee: monthly/annual suggested donations . Categories of Tools Available: Automotive, Bike, Books/Guides, Carpentry/Woodworking, Cleaning, Concrete/Masonry, Cooking/Food Preservation, Crafts, Electrical and Soldering, Fabric Arts, Flooring, Logging/Firewood, Measuring and Marking, Metalworking, Painting and Drywall, Plumbing, Protection and Safety, Remodeling, Specialty Tools, Sustainable Living, Yard and Garden, Hand Tools, Power Tools, Home Maintenance. Other Information to Know: This location is huge, over 6,500 tools are available!
Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA) Tool Library. Membership Fee: sliding scale. Categories of Tools Available: Automotive, Bike, Carpentry/Woodworking, Electrical/Soldering, Home Maintenance, Metalworking, Plumbing, Remodeling, Sustainable Living, Yard and Garden. Other Information to Know: Classes and volunteer mentors available to help you with your project.
Ballard Tool Library, Seattle. Membership Fee: begins at $35 individual. Categories of Tools Available: Arts and Crafts, Automotive, Boating and Marine, Construction, Electrical, Event Planning, Hand tools, Plumbing, Woodworking, Yard and Garden. Other Information to Know: Workshop space available.
Sustainable Capitol Hill, Seattle. Membership Fee: donation requested. Categories of Tools Available: Automotive, Bike, Carpentry/Woodworking, Electrical and Soldering, Cooking/Food Preservation, Games, Home Maintenance, Metalworking, Plumbing, Remodeling, Sustainable Living, Yard and Garden. Other Information to Know: Shop space available and volunteer opportunities.
Smart Buildings Center (North Beacon Hill). Membership Fee: Free annual membership, suggested donation. Categories of Tools Available: Electronics, Tools. Other Information to Know: Must email to set up tool rental, however more specialized and monitoring tools available than most library inventories offer.
Southeast Seattle Tool Library (Columbia City). Membership Fee: by donation. Categories of Tools Available: Air/Pneumatic, Automotive, Batteries/Chargers, Bike, Bits/Blades, Carpentry and Woodworking, Concrete/Cement, Drywall, Electrical and Soldering, Hand Tools, Home Maintenance, Metalworking, Miscellaneous, Painting, Plumbing, Remodeling, Shop, Tile Adhesives, and Yard and Garden. Other Information to Know: Volunteer-run, hours may not be consistent- check before you go to make sure they’re open.
West Seattle Tool Library. Membership Fee: donations. Categories of Tools Available: Automotive, Bike, Carpentry/Woodworking, Electrical and Soldering, Electronics, Home Maintenance, Metalworking, Plumbing, Remodeling, Sustainable Living, Workshop, and Yard and Garden. Other Information to Know: Has a fun Zombie Apocalypse category 🙂
Tool libraries loan tools for plumbing repairs and many other home projects – DepositPhotos.com
Tool Libraries outside Seattle
(Listed roughly north to south in the Puget Sound region)
Shoreline Tool Library | Seattle REconomy opened January 6, 2024, sister tool library to NE Seattle with a solid core of volunteers, staff, and a growing inventory fueled by the support of the community. Simply make an account online, donate what you can ($0 is okay too) and start borrowing! Some larger tools require modest donation. Memberships are available, which will help sustain this community library.
Fall City Community Tool Library. Membership Fee: Fall City Community Association (FCCA) required to participate. Categories of Tools Available: Automotive, Bike, Carpentry/Woodworking, Electrical and Soldering, Home Maintenance, Metal Working, Plumbing, Remodeling, Sustainable Living, Yard and Garden. Other Information to Know: Open on a very limited basis, check hours before you go.
Vashon Island Tool Library. Membership Fee: Annual donation requested. Categories of Tools Available: Automotive, Bike, Carpentry/ Woodworking, Electical and Soldering, Food Preparation, Home Maintenance, Manuals, Metalworking, Plumbing, Remodeling, Sustainable Living, Yard & Garden. Other Information to Know: Entirely run by volunteers. Partners with the Vashon Makerspace as well.
South King Tool Library (located in Federal Way). Membership Fee: suggested donation. Categories of Tools Available: Full inventory unavailable online. Other Information to Know: $4000 worth of tools were stolen in Dec 2019. Donations and volunteer opportunities are being requested to help finish and secure the building.
Tacoma Tool Library. Membership Fee: not stated. Categories of Tools Available: Only available to members but there are over 2000 available! Other Information to Know: Low-income, senior, student, and business memberships available.
Tool libraries loan all sort of tools, such as woodworking tools – DepositPhotos.com
But wait, there’s more!
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- Garage sale finder map and calendar
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- JBF consignment sales of children’s & maternity
- Get CASH for used books, music, movies, and games
- Find free and cheap things to do every day on the Greater Seattle on the Cheap calendar.
- And here’s a list of 101+ always free things to do for fun.
- Visit the Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page and choose from a menu of free and cheap activities in the Puget Sound region.
Calendar of upcoming recycling events
The following events on our calendar include recycling events of all kinds that help you reduce, reuse, and cycle (e.g. consignment, flea markets, garage/yard sales, repair cafes, shredding & recycling, etc.).
