The South King County Tool Library was burglarized for the second time in two months on Dec. 27.

Altogether, over $4,000 worth of tools that were donated by the community were stolen during both burglaries. South King Tool Library officials are now seeking the public’s help to help them finish their building so they can securely store tools and open their doors.

The library was robbed most recently the night of Dec. 27 after someone pried off the metal sheeting functioning as a make-shift door until the library could install proper doors, according to the Federal Way police report.

The suspect then stole 16 power tools worth about $2,000, including a drill, screw gun, impact driver and a hammer rotary drill.

There is surveillance footage available from the Masonic Center, however it is difficult to make out any identifiable features.

There are no active leads at the time, but the investigation is ongoing, according to the police report.

The first burglary occurred in November, when someone broke into the library’s temporary tool storage units.

Executive Director of the library, Amanda Miller, said that all of the tools that were stolen were being used for construction on the library, which sets them back a bit in terms of finishing the construction.

“There wasn’t a whole lot taken,” she said. “Just enough to make it inconvenient.”

Jeanette Brizendine-Jurgensen, founder of the library and current board treasurer, said that they have been actively looking for volunteers to help complete construction on the building so break-ins like this don’t happen.

“I know the community wants to reach out, we don’t want tool donations until we know we can be secure,” she said.

Brizendine-Jurgensen said they still need volunteer help to install better doors for security as well as the back gate to increase security of the facility.

The library is having a work-day event on Saturday, Jan. 4 starting at 9 a.m. for people to come out to help complete some of the construction for the building.

She said she doesn’t want the community to think this facility will bring constant break-ins, but they need help finishing it and making it as secure as possible.

“We do have plans … we just have to get there,” she said.

Any interested parties who want to help the library during their work party on Jan. 4 can call 253-237-2290 for more information.

The South King Tool Library, which broke ground in 2018, will allow borrowers in the community to check out tools and equipment to care for their homes, yards, gardens and more. For more information, visit southkingtools.org.