A Journey of Growth & Value at Auckland Library of Tools

Kia Ora ALoTers!

We’ve come a long way since we first opened our doors five years ago. Remember those early days? Our humble beginnings were marked by a small collection of essential tools and a cozy little space in Kingsland. We were thrilled to start providing access to a modest yet vital assortment of resources for the community.

Photo on left: ALoT in May 2019, Photo on Right: ALoT in May 2024

Fast forward to today, and ALoT has blossomed into a vibrant, bustling hub of activity. Our location in Grey Lynn is now a spacious and welcoming place where you can find an impressive variety of tools to suit all your needs. From sanders to hedge trimmers and everything in between, we’ve got you covered with an ever-expanding collection that caters to both everyday tasks and ambitious DIY projects.

We’re passionate about what we do, and we know our members share our values of community, shared resources, and accessibility. Together, we’ve built something truly special. It’s your support and enthusiasm that have driven our growth and allowed us to enhance our offerings year after year.

Despite continuing to run on an (amazing!) volunteer force, we have not been immune to rising costs and with the increase in utilities, rent, and other operational expenses, we need to make a small adjustment to our membership fees. Starting 1 July 2024, our membership fees will be increasing by a maximum of $20, depending on your membership type. We worked hard to keep this increase as minimal as possible because we understand the importance of affordability. Despite this fee change, our membership remains one of the best deals around and is still more affordable than renting tools individually from any other hardware store or tool hire locations.

And that’s not all! We’re excited to introduce more flexibility into our membership offering by adding in half yearly and monthly membership options. These flexible plans are perfect for those who might need tools for shorter projects or prefer spreading out their membership costs. Both options are still cheaper than hiring a tool for the day from most hardware stores, ensuring you get the best value for your money.

A regular Annual Membership is just $2.02 a week.

We know that nobody likes to see prices go up, but we’re confident that you’ll agree this small increase is necessary and reasonable given the huge value our members unlock at ALoT. Your membership supports our vision to provide the community with shared resources and access to tools that many of us wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford or store.

We’re incredibly grateful for your continued support and understanding. Together, we’ve created a community resource that’s about so much more than tools—it’s about sharing, learning, and growing together.

Thank you for being part of the ALoT family. We look forward to continuing this journey with you, providing the tools and support you need to tackle any project that comes your way.

The ALoT Team