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LoTs have the solutions we need

The ALoT Network is committed to raising the profile of Library of Things as they offer tangible, local, scaleable solutions to the growing crises we face. 

Libraries of things save people money, build our communities and benefit our planet.

• Environmental benefits

Sharing items reduces both carbon emissions and waste. Members of LoTs have an alternative way of meeting their needs and wants, which leads to a change in mindset around consumption.

• Social benefits

The collaborative and inclusive nature of LoTs increases connection between likeminded people, which can provide purpose, meaning and and cut rates of social isolation. Physical gathering places that aren't designed to encourage people to spend money (as opposed to shopping centres and cafes) give people a third space to exist in away from home and work. As third spaces, LoTs foster spaces to exercise creativity and cooperation, vital skills for everyone.

• Financial benefits

Sharing items instead of buying them saves LoT members thousands of dollars every year. Plus, the ability to pool money to purchase quality items for the library means better quality tools become available over time, increasing the value of membership without increasing the cost. Win-win!

How we advocate

• Seeking seats at the table

Submissions to enquiries, building relationships with governments at all levels, speaking to resource groups and to the media on behalf of the sector. Read our submissions and advice in our resource library.

• Speaking up regularly and sharing our wins

In mainstream media, through keynote talks and through interviews and conversations with people who back our vision of a LoT in every Australian neighbourhood. 

• Providing quality advice

For Councils and other organisation that require feasibility studies before investing, we can provide guidance on how to set up and grow a Library of Things. 

Work with us to advance ALoT's mission

Partnerships, collarboration opportunities and invites to speak with new groups about Libraries of Things in Australia are always welcome. Get in touch - we'd love to hear from you.

A big part of our work is collaborating as custodians of knowledge to help each other. In particular, we have organised to measure our collective impact, giving each library stats to help them with grant funding and local advocacy. From our national survey, we identified the biggest hurdle and set out to investigate in order to create a workable solution.