Stoke Toy Library

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Our toy library is a community service run by volunteers; providing quality toys for young families at a low cost.

You can find us behind the Nelson Indoor Bowls Club, Songer Street Stoke. There is plenty of parking available behind the Stoke Vet Clinic.

Our opening hours are:
Sunday afternoon 2pm - 4pm
Thursday mornings 10am - 11:30am
We are closed on Public Holidays and Public Holiday weekends, and over the Christmas school holiday period.

We are open during school term holidays.
Please check our website for exact dates and details and for information on our special Christmas hire arrangement.

Who can join our library?
Anyone with a young family can join the Stoke Toy Library. Our service is also popular with home based caregivers and small community playgroups. We also offer special memberships for casual borrowers e.g. grandparents, out of town visitors and short term carers.

Membership fees
A range of membership options are available with varying fees:
6 month membership (no duties*) $45
12 month membership (no duties) $75
6 month membership (3-4 duties per year) $25
12 month membership (3-4 duties per year) $35
Casual membership (5 borrowings only) $15

Toy hire costs range from 50c - $5, depending on the value of the toy.

Hire period
Toys are issued for a period of two weeks however this may be extended once only for a further fortnight.

Overdue toys will accrue fines. Please contact us by phone or email if you are unable to return the toys on time and we will arrange a reissue.

Breaking or losing toys

Please take care to keep the pieces together once home, as any lost pieces will incur a fine of $5.00 per piece, payable when the toy is returned. The money will be refunded in full if missing pieces are found and returned.

We acknowledge that toys are subject to wear and tear however, if toys or pieces are damaged through careless or inappropriate use, the member will be liable for the replacement or repair (as appropriate).

A fine is not payable if damaged or lost pieces can be replaced with an equivalent item.

How many toys may be borrowed?

Members may borrow:
THREE toys per child per session, as well as:
ONE video or DVD or CD-Rom, FIVE puzzles

Stoke Toy Library’s Website
www.libratu.com/library/stoke
Members are able to access a range of library functions through our website:
- Finding out about important library events or dates
- Reserving popular toys ($1 fee)
- Reviewing the toys you currently have on-loan: parts, due date of return
- Reissuing toys on loan (standard issue fees apply)
- Checking for your next rostered duty and printing roster
- Reviewing our full toy catalogue
- Viewing photos of any new toys
- Checking on any ex-library toys being sold
- Updating your personal contact details
- Reading our recent newsletter

To log on to the website you will need your customer number, and your surname will be your password. This can be changed once on-line.


Can you help us?
The library is run by a small group of volunteer parents and does depend on its members to function successfully. If you have any special skills or access to services that may help the library, please let us know! (eg. Accountancy, toy repairs, food for sausage sizzles)

Committee
Members are welcome to join our committee at any time. We meet one evening per month and depending on your own workload, your contribution might just be to attend meetings. We would love to have new members on board.

Library Duty
The discounted memberships do require you to help with the running of the library during the year. Members will be rostered 3-4 times per year (approximately once per term).
Your duty will require you to count pieces of toys that are being returned and issued and also to return toys to their shelves. You will be accompanied by a committee member and will not be required to use the computer system.
We do offer free toy hire on the day you complete your duty.
Rosters are made available well in advance of the duty date and can be reviewed on our website. Reminder emails will also be sent.

Unable to work your rostered duty?
If you are unable to perform your rostered duty, please arrange a swap directly with another member. Our members do not mind being approached. Please let us know if a swap has been arranged, and our roster information can be updated.

Fundraising
Being a not-for-profit voluntary organisation, we need to undertake fundraising projects and activities each year. Fundraising is required for us to meet our operating costs and allows us to update and replace toys, ensuring that we have a great selection to offer your children.
Member assistance at these fundraising events does make a huge difference to their success, so please consider helping, should any fundraisers be organised.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
If you wish to know more about the library, please do not hesitate to talk to the committee member on duty, or contact us by mobile or email.