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King County Washington home

Tool libraries and libraries of things

Information about tool libraries and libraries of things in King County.
image of an employee and a customer examining a tool in a tool-lending facility

Tool libraries

Tool libraries directly prevent waste, conserve resources and save money by reducing unnecessary purchases. Instead of buying a tool or even kitchen equipment that you rarely use, you can borrow it.

The King County Solid Waste Division helps promote and support tool libraries within its service area of King County outside Seattle. This support is in conjunction with the Division’s repair events program.

Four non-profit tool libraries currently operate in King County outside Seattle:

In Seattle, non-profit tool lending libraries include:

Tool libraries within the Seattle city limits generally are supported or promoted more directly by the City of Seattle and other organizations, rather than King County.

Libraries of things

A "library of things" at a public library offers various types of household tools and equipment, recreation gear, and more, in addition to the library's books and printed materials. The first library of things in King County opened in October, 2026, in Issaquah:

This project is supported by the King County Library System, the KCLS Foundation, and the City of Issaquah.