About Sustainable Klamath: Klamath Tool Library, established July 1, 2017, is a project of Sustainable Klamath (SK), a 501(c)(3) organization that has been working in the Klamath Basin since its inception as a League of Women Voters project in 1995. SK is a group of people working for a healthier future in the Klamath Basin through education and community activities, focusing on community well-being, environmental stewardship, and economic prosperity.

The Tool Library operates the same way any library does. It allows members to borrow tools for a small annual membership fee ($20).

It got its start by virtue of the relationship that several close friends developed using tools they had in common. These friends would frequently borrow tools from each other rather than go buy a tool they might only need once for a special project. It occurred to the group that they should compile a list of all the tools the group possessed in common so that they would avoid purchasing a tool and instead just borrow it. Another advantage was that they could use the list of tools they now had available to them to plan for a project they normally would not have thought possible. They could also pool their money and buy more expensive tools, holding them in common, and expanding the potential for more involved projects.

Why It Matters

Many Klamath Basin residents struggle to provide food and shelter for their families, leaving no funds to purchase tools for home and garden projects. Our Tool Library is an exciting project as it provides everyone with the resources necessary to improve and maintain their properties.

Stocked with contributed tools (the list is available on our website), our tool library uses volunteers to stay open, providing all Klamath Basin members access to tools to improve their homes, gardens, and neighborhoods. It promotes resilience, creativity, self-sufficiency, and sustainability. It just makes more economic sense to repair and reuse rather than buy new.

By putting a wide variety of tools into the hands of everyone who may need them, when they need them, regardless of their ability or desire to own them, we hope to improve the places in which we live, work, and play. Borrow it. Don't buy it.

Volunteer With Us

The Klamath Tool Library exists by virtue of contributions of tools, money, and labor. There are no paid staff.

Want to volunteer? Come to our store at 1221 Main Street between Rodeo's Pizza and the bookstore in downtown Klamath Falls. We are open twice a week:

  • Thursdays 5–7 PM
  • Saturdays 9 AM–1 PM

We Need a New Home

The current owner will soon want to remodel the space in which we are located. We have saved $20,000 toward the purchase of a new building, but we need to raise $80,000 more to buy and remodel.

We will have a raffle at our Tool Library open house on November 8 from 1:30–3:30 PM. Our big prize is a week in Hawaii. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. We will be at the 9th Street Market every Saturday in October to sell tickets. Or come to the Tool Library to buy some.

Can You Help Us?

We will need a combination of contributed dollars and grants to be able to retain this service for all Klamath County residents.

All contributions are tax deductible. Give at givebutter.com/klmtoollibrary.

Update: We successfully purchased a permanent home in December 2025. Read the May 2026 update.