Maribyrnong toy library is back in business

Coby (7), Suzy (1) and Amelia (8) enjoying the toys available at the toy library. (Damjan Janevski) 264703_01

By Molly Magennis

The Maribyrnong Toy Library is open and available for residents in the area, giving kids a chance to try out new toys and parents an opportunity to connect with each other.

The Maribyrnong Toy Library is situated inside the West Footscray Neighbourhood House and also at the Maidstone Child and Family Centre.

Established roughly 25 years ago, the library runs on a yearly membership system of $80 or $45 concession in order to take toys home.

A membership is not needed however for children to come and play with toys in the library, said West Footscray Neighbourhood House Community Programs Coordinator Tania Jorquera.

“We’re sort of at the moment running a little bit of a deal where we’re offering people the opportunity to sign up for a term at $20, just to give them the opportunity to try and see if it’s something that they might be interested in,” she said.

Ms Jorquera said not only is the toy library good for the environment by reducing the amount of unused toys that end up in landfill, but also helpful for low income families in the area.

“[It’s] a huge sort of way to save money,” she said.

“We’re sort of looking at ways of almost taking the toy library out to [vulnerable communities], it’s something we’ve been working towards this year.”

The toy library will be opening up face-to-face as of Tuesday January 18.

Details: www.facebook.com/maribyrnongtoylibrary/