Whitianga Toy Library fundraisers all set to bring more fun to families

The Whitianga Toy Library has been operating with the support of volunteers since 2012. It’s a part of a worldwide trend of libraries which save families money, provides the opportunity for children to try out different toys without the commitment for caregivers to buy and contributes to a greener environment.

For many families who use the Toy Library it’s a special place that’s been a part of their lives as the children grow up. For the kids it can be a bit like having a regular Christmas as they get to choose new toys to play with every two weeks! Our fundraising initiatives in March aim to get new pre-loved toy items for the library, raise the awareness of the library, recruit more volunteers so that we can extend our opening hours, and encourage families to join the library to enjoy the benefits it offers. 

 –      Krissy Robinson, Whitianga Toy Library Chairperson.

Whitianga Toy Library March fundraiser & membership drive

The toy drive – planned from 6-12 March.  Members of the public are invited to deliver good condition toys to the library at 7 Isabella Street over this period during open hours, or to Wild Wood Mini golf. The library is happy to take any toys in good, preloved condition, including books and DVDs. The toy drive will allow the Toy Library Committee to retire the most preloved toy items and help them to refresh the toy stock available for families to rent.
 
A toy sale – will be held March 12th 10am-1pm at 7 Isabella Street to provide vital fundraising for the library and to give families the opportunity to buy preloved toys at an affordable price. A combination of older Toy Library stock and donated items will be on sale.
 
Toy Library Awareness week discount membership drive – various membership options are available throughout the year. Sign up before March 12th for an Annual Family membership at the special offer of $25 ($10 discount). And, all current and newly signed up members in the month of March will go in the draw for a monthly family pass to Wild Wood Mini Golf!
 
Calling for volunteers – the committee is looking for more volunteers to join their friendly team so they can extend their opening hours from Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to also include Saturdays from 9.30am to 12.30. Volunteers have the benefit of receiving a free month’s library membership. A Treasurer, Grants Applications and Marketing roles on the committee also need to be filled.

Toy Library Membership Details

The Toy Library has different membership options available to suit families and rents out toys for $1 to $5. The library has outdoor and indoor toys suitable for 0-6 years and families can rent up to ten toys for two weeks.

Membership options:

• Annual Family – $35 (discounted to $25 for the month of March)
• Annual Grandparents – $20
• Casual (6-week period) – $20
• Bach membership (6-week period) – $20

Whitianga Toy Library – quick fire questions

All About Whitianga: What type of toys does the library have to rent? 

Krissy Robinson – Toy Library Chairperson: The Toy Library aims to have something that will entertain all families with indoor and outdoor toys. So, we have lots of cars, trucks, train sets, slides, and basketball sets, ride-ons, tents, wooden toy such as our kitchen set, books, DVDs and much more!
 
What are the most popular toys loaned from the library?
Over summer our water play toys like the shells and water splash play units were hot items.
 
Is there one favourite toy of that has been loaned out over time?
The Cat Yellow Digger and outside ride on Mini Rollercoaster are the most popular of all our toys since we began.
 
Are there new toys that you want to introduce to the library? 
Yes, we are introducing rainy day and craft type kits that families can take home. Things like our playdough and baking kit and craft kit. The library will have all the reusable bits like the Play-Doh stamps, utensils, and scissors.
 
When is the busiest time for the toy library – seasonal?
Winter is busier than other times of the year, kids and families are indoors more due to the weather and want something new and exciting to do.
 
Roughly how many toys are in the toy library
We currently have 266 toys in the library.

Contact the Toy Library

Click on the related link below for more information or to contact the Toy Library team.