By Casey Neill
Prahran families have a new toy library on their doorsteps.
Stonnington Toy Library opened a new branch in the suburb in June thanks to Federal Government funding, fundraising efforts, a Bendigo Bank donation, and access to a newly-built space from the State Government.
Manager Jane O’Connell said the library was 45 years old and had been covering a huge area from its Malvern base for 20–plus years.
The Stonnington Toy Library has more than 600 members, with about 150 living in the Prahran-Windsor-South Yarra area the new branch is intended to service.
“It’s not just about servicing existing members,” she said.
“It’s also about reaching families we’ve never reached before.”
Jane said parents regularly walked in the door and let out a deep sigh of relief.
They’d been meaning to get over to Malvern but hadn’t got around to it,” she said.
“They don’t necessarily have the cars and the time.
“It’s good for children’s development to have access to new toys.
“They’re saving money and it’s good for the environment.”
Jane joined Stonnington Toy Library when her now-27-year-old was a baby in 1996.
“I didn’t want my kids to grow up feeling entitled,” she said.
“I didn’t want them to think they could have everything.
“Learning to share and have social responsibility was really important to me.”
She soon joined the committee and has been involved on and off ever since.
When the former manager wanted to retire she approached Jane – who also worked in kindergartens for 10 years – with a job offer.
“I now recruit and manage 400 volunteers a year to make the wheels turn,” she said.
“We’re really about children reaching their full potential and thriving in their early years.
“Us giving children toys to express themselves is healthy.
“They can express themselves through their play.
“Play is how they resolve all their little issues in life.
“By making it accessible and affordable we all the get the chance to give it our best shot.”
A basic membership is $100 a year, $50 for concession card holders. The library also supports families in need with free memberships thanks to donations.
Members can visit as many times as they like and borrow two toys and a puzzle or game for up to three weeks each visit.
Windsor mum Lucy Stent is a regular visitor with daughters Wren and Stevie.
Wren’s grandparents gifted her a membership when she turned one.
“I asked for it because I didn’t want them buying toys for her birthday,” Lucy said.
“I knew we’d get more value out of it.
“I was visiting the other branch before this one had opened.
“We’re a one-car household. To have this branch open is so useful for us, we can come on foot.
“It’s the opportunity to borrow toys that evolve as my children develop and rely on these guys, who are so knowledgeable on what is the right fit for their stage of life.
“I didn’t know that at one they were in the process of fine-tuning motor skills, so certain posting toys were better than playing with a doll.
“They’ve coached me through what works for their development.”
Then there’s the sustainability aspect.
“We’re not accumulating toys that become redundant after three days or three weeks,” Lucy said.
Clutter is another motivator.
“We live in two-bedroom house and the girls share a room,” she said.
“We don’t have space for toys in many areas of the home.”
Jane added: “Use us as your big toy cupboard and come and swap around as often as you want.
“This is so needed in this community.
“The density of dwellings is full on.”
Lucy said the library brought a sense of community and provided a family outing.
“It makes you feel good about what you’re bringing home to your kids,” she said.
Visit www.stonningtontoylibrary.org.au and follow @stonnington_toy_libray on Instagram for more information, including activities during Children’s Week, 19 to 27 October.
