Whakatāne Community Toy Library has joined forces with Whakatāne Libraries to increase the accessibility of toys for more local families and children. The official opening took place at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi in December last year, and marked the beginning of a new chapter for both Whakatāne Libraries and the Whakatāne Community Toy Library.
Toy Library President, Amy Hurren, says the partnership aligns with the volunteer committee’s vision to give more people access to the benefits of the toy library, and they are grateful for Whakatāne District Council staff’s support.
“Unfortunately, our previous premises at James Street School became unavailable, so we had to scout for somewhere we could operate from with a limited budget,” she says. “We approached the Whakatāne Libraries team, who were incredibly supportive. There has been a considerable amount of time spent by the toy library and Whakatāne Libraries teams, cataloguing the toys and creating a streamlined process for borrowing. It’s very exciting to see our plans come to fruition.”
The new partnership model means anyone aged over 18 years with a Whakatāne Libraries membership, which is free, can hire toys. All toys, games, and puzzles are priced at $1, $2 or $3 and can be borrowed for up to three weeks. There are nearly 200 local toy libraries across New Zealand that support families and children in their local communities, by providing access to a wide range of toys, games, and puzzles for hire. For many families, hiring toys gives their children access to toys that are not easily affordable to buy, and allows children to explore the many different toys currently available. Mrs Hurren says the committee is focused on purchasing quality toys, and every endeavor is made to source New Zealand-made toys. Borrowing toys also meets a key library sustainability aim, as toys can be used many times by multiple families rather than being used once and thrown out.
The range of toys available promote creativity and inspire free play, all of which promote brain development.
“What we really love to hear about is the spontaneous play that comes naturally from children’s curiosity, love of discovery, and enthusiasm,” explains Mrs Hurren.
The large and often cost-prohibitive toys on offer, such as ride-on vehicles, dollhouses and bikes, allow children to enjoy them without parents and caregivers needing to find long-term storage solutions.
Kim Johnston, Library Projects and Business Coordinator, emphasises that the Toy Library isn’t limited to parents with young children.
“We’ve already noticed that there are a number of grandparents and caregivers who hire toys, particularly during this school holiday period,” she says. “The three-week hire period seems to be the perfect amount of time to hold children’s interest, too.”
Whakatāne Libraries staff encourage anyone who is interested in hiring toys to visit Te Kōputu during opening hours and speak with one of the friendly staff members.