Are gift vouchers available?

Yes, membership gift vouchers are available. They’re a great idea for a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. Gift Vouchers can either be purchased in branch or online

Please note that membership gift vouchers are sold WITHOUT the roster levy deposit, which the voucher recipient must pay on their first visit to the toy library.

How does the roster levy deposit & roster duty work?

How do I get my Roster Duty refund?

We can only offer our toy library memberships for such an affordable price because of our wonderful members volunteering their time to help keep the toy library running smoothly. We understand that sometimes you may be unable to commit your time to fulfilling your 4 volunteer hours of roster duty per year, which is why we now include a roster levy deposit with all membership fees. This deposit is fully refundable upon completion of your roster duty. The Roster Duty Levy Deposit is $60 per year.

You can sign up for your roster dates online via the member section of our website. Roster duty is a great way to meet local families and familiarise yourself with the range of toys available. 

On your roster duty day, your tasks will include:

• checking returned toys

• fixing and cleaning toys

• helping out at stocktake.

Other ways of helping out on roster duty can also include:

• Becoming a Committee member (Committee members don’t pay the roster levy!)

• Cataloguing new toys

• Helping out at working bees and fundraising events such as BBQs.

Our member newsletter and website will advertise these events. 

To receive your roster levy refund, please email the following information to our treasurer at treasurerhobsonsbaytoylibrary@gmail.com. Please note that all refund payments are processed at the end of each month.

Member Number:

Date of your volunteer shift/s:

Name:

Account Number:

BSB Number:

What if I don’t have time to do the roster duty?

We understand that many of our members do not have time to complete their 4 volunteer hours of roster duty per year, which is why we now include a roster levy deposit with all membership fees. The Roster Duty Levy Deposit is $60 per year.

Do you have any special offers for new members?

Yes, we do!

Babies & new parents special

New parents receive an additional 3 months for free when they join before their baby is 6 months old. Simply pay your annual membership fee and we’ll add 3 months to the expiry. The toy library has a large selection of quality toys for your little one including mini gyms, rattles, cot and pram toys, musical and colourful toys. 

Free 1st Birthday party pack 

Join before your child’s 1st birthday and celebrate this special milestone with free use of our popular 1st Birthday party pack (usually $30 for members to hire). Subject to availability. Check out the great toys included in this fun pack. 

What happens if you lose a toy?

Members are encouraged to check items and count pieces before borrowing. If a toy is returned with a piece/pieces missing you can reborrow the toy for a further two weeks to try and find the missing piece/pieces. If pieces cannot be found a fine of $5 per missing piece will be charged which is fully refundable when the piece/pieces are found and returned. We hope you find the missing piece so the toy can be returned to our shelves for others to borrow.

What happens if a toy is damaged?

What do I do about missing pieces?

We understand that toys are sometimes broken or damaged during the normal course of play. Please tell the Toy Library Coordinator if a toy is broken or is showing signs of wear and tear when you return the toy. If a toy is damaged beyond repair, the Committee will decide whether a fine will be charged to the member who damaged the borrowed toy – up to the value of replacement.

It is good practice, when borrowing a new toy to take a moment to count the items that come with you, you may wish to note down any missing pieces so when it comes time to return the toy(s) you can account for each item that came to your home. When returning the toys, please let the coordinators know, so they can investigate if the missing pieces are able to be found and reunited.

What are the fees for overdue toys?

A charge of $5 per toy per fortnight applies for late toy returns, with a maximum charge of $10 in late fees per toy.

How can I renew my toys?

You can renew your toys online via the members portal on our website, by calling our Newport Coordinator on (03) 9391 0294 or emailing hobsonsbaytoylibrary@gmail.com 

What hours are you open?

Newport
Thursday: 9am-1pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm

We are open throughout the school holidays. We are closed most long weekends. Members will be advised of any other holiday closures.

Can I suspend my membership?

Toy Library Membership is an annual membership lasting for 12 months from the date of joining/renewing. In order to keep this structure the library does not offer Membership suspensions / on-holds to members who may be away on holiday etc. If a Member is intending to be absent for a considerable period of time within the year and would like to defer their Membership they may request in writing that the Toy Library Committee review their situation prior to their absence.

How can I join the Toy Library committee? 

How do I clean the Toys before returning them?

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

We always welcome new committee members and have a number of short and long-term projects and positions available. You don’t need any particular experience to be a valuable committee member, just a willingness to participate and take an interest in the future direction of the Toy Library.

Joining the committee is a great opportunity to:

• never incur a late fee again (we’re serious!) #committeebenefits

• 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.

All committee meetings are open to members and you are most welcome to join us. Committee Meetings are held monthly on Tuesday evenings, commencing at 7.30pm. 

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

How to Clean

Wipe the toy thoroughly with a cloth damp with either a pH neutral detergent (such as diluted dishwashing detergent) or a 2-in-1 cleaner/disinfectant (most multipurpose sprays available at the supermarket). If using a 2-in-1 multipurpose spray, the solution must be sprayed onto the cloth until it is quite damp. You can use something like an old toothbrush or a cotton bud to get into hard to reach places.

Dry the toy with a tea towel or leave to dry overnight. Please make sure the toy is perfectly dry before returning it to its bag or box. Do not submerge toys in water as they can trap water inside them or in the case of wooden toys, they can get too wet to effectively dry.

Special Cleaning Tips

Baby rattles
Please do not to immerse rattles in water as they collect water which can lead to harmful bacteria developing. Wipe the surface with a cloth.

Wooden toys
Wipe over. Allow time to thoroughly dry. These toys should not be immersed or soaked.

Duplo/Lego
Wash well with hot soapy water and a toothbrush. Rinse and leave to drain overnight.

Bath toys
Please wash after using in the bath and ensure no water remains trapped in the toy.

Outdoor/sandpit toys
These must be cleaned well remembering that the next member may wish to use it inside. Remove all sand and dirt and clean well with hot soapy water.

Bikes, scooters, and other ride-ons
These must be washed, keeping in mind that the next member may wish to use them inside.

Fabric items (Dress-ups/Puppets/Dolls Bedding/Infant Soft Toys)
Hand wash or gentle machine wash with laundry detergent and hang to thoroughly line dry.

Wooden puzzles
Wipe over all wooden puzzles with a hot, soapy, damp (not wet) wettex.

Board games and cardboard puzzles
Paper-based materials, such as puzzles and games, are not considered a high risk for transmission and do not need additional cleaning or disinfection procedures. Please clean counters and other plastic parts of a game.