The Toy Library is exactly as it sounds - a place for you to borrow toys, dress-ups, puzzles and games, just like you do with books at your local library.
We're passionate about looking after our environment and by joining a toy library you can be too! By keeping a fresh supply of toys moving around the community, we're saving toys from filling up our landfills. It also means you don't have the pressure to constantly buy new toys only to have your children get bored and move onto the next thing.
Donating toys to the Toy Library not only promotes reuse to children, it also reduces waste and environmental impact.
We are a non-profit organization run by a 100% voluntary committee with support from our members and local community. The committee looks after the day-to-day running of the library, fundraising, grants applications, toy purchasing and maintenance, engagement with members and volunteers and leading our Sunday afternoon opening hours. Our other volunteers assist at our Sunday opening hours processing returns and retrieving toys for members.
When we have an appropriate premises we will hire a toy library who will run our open hours - which we will increase to two or three times a week. This will significantly lighten the load on our volunteer committee. Unfortunately, the conditions at our containers does not allow us to have employees.
We are always in need of new committee members and Sunday volunteers. From each new committee member, we gain new ideas and a fresh look into what can be improved. We are not a council or government organisation or a private company. We are a group of parents working together to benefit the children of Rolleston and surrounds.
We are an online, click and collect toy library while we continue our search for premises in Rolleston (please get in touch if you know of any land or a suitable building). As a member, you reserve your toys on our website, and then pickup/return toys at our location in the iZone on Sunday afternoons. Members can make reservations up to six months in advance which does mean that there is usually a wait for our most popular toys, however, there are plenty of other toys to take home in the meantime.
Lets join! Click the Join Now button up the top of the webpage, fill in your details and you will receive an email from us within 1 - 2 days with our bank details for payment. Once payment has been processed, you will then be emailed your membership login details which then allows you to begin reserving and borrowing toys. You can have up 4 toys out at any time and usual hire period is two weeks.
When you get your toys home, it always pays to check that all the pieces are there as stated, as we do charge for missing/broken pieces. Please make sure our toys are cared for as if they were your own and return them complete and clean.
As we rely on toys being returned in time, ready to go out for the next reservation, we have implemented overdue fines of $3.00 per week, per toy. Persistent lateness in returning toys may result in cancellation of your membership.
The key to keeping things running smoothly is good communication so if you have any queries or concerns please let us know. Or if you can't make it to return your toys, get in touch before the session.
Please let the library know immediately by email or phone if there are missing or broken pieces.
Please look after the toys that you borrow to ensure their longevity. If any toys are not up to the standard that you expect, please inform one of the librarians.
Put toys away if young visitors arrive, unless they are closely supervised. Try restricting use of inside toys to one place or one room to make it easier to find parts when toys are due back.
Repairs
If a breakage occurs, let us know, we will repair or replace it. Please do not repair toys yourself.
Packaging
All our toys are stored in custom made Zipit bags or plastic containers. If possible, remove toys from their bags/container (plastic bags should not be given to the children) and store in a safe place at home. Please return toys in the correct bags/container and ensure both the inside and outside of the bag/container is clean.
Cleaning of toys
Please clean toys before returning them and make sure they are dry (especially water toys). If toys are returned dirty, you will be asked to clean them onsite or charged a fine.
Recommended cleaning items:
Ammonia-based spray cleaner (such as “Spray & Wipe”)
Antibacterial wipes
Disinfectant (such as “Dettol”)
Sponge cloth
Toothpicks
Old toothbrush
Most toys can be washed with normal dishwashing liquid, using heavier-duty cleaners for more stubborn marks. Get into corners with an old toothbrush and toothpicks wrapped in cotton wool. Please dry well.
Leaving items such as Lego and construction blocks to drain on a clean tea-towel overnight is ideal.
Please do not soak wooden toys, or any toys with labels etc.
Rattles and Baby Toys
Must not be immersed in water as it can get inside, rendering the toy useless. Wipe thoroughly with hot water, a sponge cloth with a small amount of cleaner as recommended above. We recommend for the safety of your child that you do this prior to giving the toy to your child and again before you return it.
Ride-on Vehicles and Outdoor Toys
These must be returned clean. Please protect outside toys from the weather. If possible, store indoors at night and keep them secure if you are away from the property.
Puzzles and Games
Wooden puzzles can be wiped over, or if necessary, washed gently. Cardboard should be wiped over with a slightly damp sponge cloth.
Toys break even in normal play. Don’t be embarrassed if this happens to you. Please notify us of any damage or broken pieces. It is important to us that our toys remain safe for use by all members.
If a toy is returned damaged/broken, you may be charged a fee of generally $5.00. We understand our toys are well used and loved and our committee will consider if additional repair or replacement fees occur on a case-by-case basis. If a missing piece causes the toy to be incomplete, you are welcome to buy the toy (and we hope you find the piece at home) or pay to replace it.
No further toys may be borrowed until all fines are paid
Toy parts can be easily lost by anyone. Please don’t be embarrassed as this easily happens. Report any missing pieces upon return.
If a toy is returned with a missing piece, you will be charged a replacement fee of generally $5.00. If the missing piece does turn up, you will be credited upon its return. If a missing piece causes the toy to be incomplete, we will discuss the option to buy the toy (and we hope you find the piece at home) or pay to replace it.
If a Zipit bag or plastic storage container is damaged or missing you will also incur a fee. Depending on size the fee will be between $5.00 - $40 as our Zipit bags are custom made to fit our toys.