Your KW Library of Things is Evolving!
We're writing to you today with some important and exciting news about the evolution of our membership program. Since we started this adventure in 2018, it has been an absolute joy to hear the stories of projects you've brought to life, the adventures you've embarked on, and the social gatherings you've hosted.
The heart of the KW Library of Things (KWLOT) has always been about sharing, developing skills, and making valuable tools accessible to everyone. As our library has grown in both members and items, we've gained a deeper understanding of our community, how our tools are used, and the new 'things' that bring our members joy!
As we evolve our membership program, our core aim is to grow in a way that benefits all members meaningfully. Whether you're a casual user who borrows from us occasionally or someone who relies on our specialized tools for the most ambitious projects, we wanted to ensure there was a membership option for you at KWLOT.
The "Why" Behind Our Evolution
Some of our most popular items require regular maintenance, repairs, and eventually replacements. Items such as tents, carpet cleaners, and trimmers experience wear and tear at a higher rate than other items. These maintenance and replacement costs are a necessary expense for us to keep our inventory in excellent condition and readily available for you when you need it. As our Membership has grown, so too have our staffing, maintenance, and repair costs.
We also recognize that we're not alone in this. The cost of living has increased significantly for community members in Waterloo Region since the launch of KWLOT in 2018. This further underscores the importance of a tool-sharing economy in the region. It's a lot more cost (and space!) effective to borrow a tool once a year than it is to own it and store it in our homes.
So this is why we're evolving: to ensure our tools remain reliable, safe and in top condition, while also remaining affordable to those who rely on our tool library for those one-off items for the long haul.
Our New Membership Models
After nearly a year of research and conversations with members, we're excited to share with you our new membership models!
Base Membership: $50 per year.
It was our TOP priority to ensure our membership price doesn't change for those who rely on us for their essential items for quick fixes and projects. We are incredibly proud to maintain our membership fee at $50 annually for those who appreciate access to everyday items. There will be a small pay-per-use fee for premium items to help us maintain and care for those items, ensuring their continued availability for all members.
Plus Membership: $100 per year.
For those who frequently use our more specialized tools or require more advanced orders, our Plus Membership was designed with you in mind. This Membership offers additional benefits, including longer loan periods, simultaneous reservations, and access to premium tools at no extra fee. This Membership will also have first access to our new programs and offers! New offers?? You’ll need to read until the end to find out :)
Premium Membership: $200 per year.
This Membership is for those who want it all. From longer loan periods to more items per order, this Membership was designed for the power user who likes having reliable access to a wide range of tools. Additionally, this Membership subsidizes one Base Membership for a community member in need. Talk about a win-win!
Community Builder Membership: $500 per year.
Our Community Builder Membership is designed for those who wish to make a meaningful contribution to our work and help us take the next step in our growth. It features all the benefits of our Premium Membership, plus recognition on our website in the Community Builders section (if desired). This Membership also subsidizes 3 Base Memberships for those who need it most.
First Fee Change since 2019
This is our first fee change since 2019, and we hope this walkthrough of our new membership models demonstrates the careful consideration we've put into ensuring the long-term health of the KW Library of Things and the growth of our valued members. All Members will continue on their current plan with its full benefits until its expiration, and you will be prompted to switch into one of our new Membership plans at the end of your billing cycle.
Looking Ahead: Growing Together!
Speaking of evolutions, we're absolutely thrilled to share some fantastic news!
We recently received a 3 Year Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Grow Grant to grow KWLOT's programming and offerings! This incredible support from OTF is a testament to our community's commitment to KW Library of Things and will enable us to invest directly back into what you love most. This means we'll be repairing and upgrading our inventory, introducing valuable services to members (such as workshops and event rentals), and expanding our employment program with Extend-a-Family Waterloo Region. You can expect occasional emails from us as we explore how to make this Membership even more valuable to you!
You can find all the details about our new membership tiers and their benefits on our newly redesigned website at Kwlot.ca. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly at kwlot@eafwr.on.ca or ask us in-person when you pick up your next items. Learn more about our membership policies here.
Thank you for being such an integral part of our community. We've never been more excited about the future of KWLOT and we couldn't have done this without your continued support and passion for sharing.
Sincerely,
Mark, Kim, Kevin, and The KW Library of Things Team
Do you have ideas for KWLOT of feedback on our membership model? Feel free to share how we can make your membership better here.
To learn more about our new membership models, click the button below!
