How does the toy library work?

Being a member of the Hobsons Bay Toy Library gives you and your family access to more than 1,400 high quality toys (worth more than $130,000!). Our toy library caters for children 3 months to 6 years old. Members can borrow between 3 and 9 toys depending on their membership level for up to two weeks.

What are the benefits of a toy library? 

Toy libraries aim to support families in the local community by providing access to a wide range of high quality toys in a sustainable manner at an affordable price. Quality toys are expensive and children can become uninterested with a toy as they progress through developmental milestones. By providing new play materials regularly, parents can save money, avoid clutter, reduce waste and positively contribute towards the development and education of their children.

Our mission

1. Provide affordable access to a range of toys for families with children in Hobsons Bay.

2. Provide good quality and stimulating toys to families.

3. Give families access to toys and activities to assist children in developing skills, awareness and positive play experiences.

4. Support play between parents / carers / grandparents and their children / grandchildren.

5. Ensure children have the opportunity to play with age appropriate toys to meet their developmental milestones.

6. Encourage members of the community to develop social networks through becoming involved in the Hobsons Bay Toy Library.

Forty years of fun

The Hobsons Bay Toy Library was one of the first toy libraries in Australia. It  started as Williamstown Educational Toy Library in 1976, becoming Newport Toy Library in 1988 and then Hobsons Bay Toy Library in 1995. The Hobsons Bay Toy Library has been growing steadily ever since and now has more than 300 member families across two branches. Our funding comes from membership fees and a grant from the Hobsons Bay City Council, and we are coordinated by a committee of volunteers.

Join our committee

The Hobsons Bay Toy Library is managed by a volunteer member committee. The committee manage the Toy Library’s strategy and operations, financial management, fundraising and grants income, marketing and communications, events and more.
 
Joining the committee is a great opportunity to:

• meet and network with like-minded local parents

• volunteer your skills to help a community organisation provide the best toy library experience possible for local families

• gain experience on a local voluntary community board

• complete your yearly volunteer hours, and

• never be charged late fees (we promise!).

If you are interested in joining the committee, please email hobsonsbaytoylibrary@gmail.com.