Bunbury Regional Toy Library

How can I join?

To become a Member: Click the Join Now button above to sign-up online

Who is the Bunbury Regional Toy Library?

We are a not-for-profit organisation run solely by volunteers in the community. We offer local families access to a wide range of fun and educational toys and other early childhood resources for a small annual fee. In August 1990 we moved into the Eaton Family Centre, and have been there ever since.

How does a toy library work?

We operate similar to a library, however instead of borrowing books, our members borrow toys, games, puzzles, costumes, etc.
Each member family borrows up to 5-8 items at a time, for a period of 2-3 weeks.

What are the benefits of a toy library?

Try before you buy- See if your children like a particular toy before buying them, saving money
Avoid clutter, plastic and waste in your home
Environmentally friendly - reduce, reuse, recycle(we have some vintage gems in our collection!)
Be part of a friendly, connected communityof families
Your children will get to play with new toys every 2-3 weeks
You can loan large toys, like slides, water tables and large foam blocks, without having to purchase them and store them at your home
Teach our children the value and importance of sharing our resources

What sort of toys do you have?

Our catalogue has a range of items. We mostly cater for children or developmental stages 0 to 8 years. Some of our items include:

Imagination toys – dolls with prams and or doll houses, play kitchens, doctor kits, animals, vehicles
Construction: Wooden blocks, magnetic blocks, lego
Educational & STEM toys
Activity Centres
Outdoor & water play toys – slides, climbing frames
Musical toys & instruments – ukuleles, microphones, xylophones, shakers and more!
Games
Puzzles
Costumes – perfect for Book Week or Halloween!
PARTY toys - Giant garden games, egg & spoon, parachute, balance beams etc.
(Look through our Toy Catalogue - filter Attribute to 'Party')

Have a look through our online catalogue to see a sample of our toy range - click on 'TOYS' in the menu
(You may have to scroll to the right to see the menu, if viewing on your phone)

When are you open?

Fridays: 3.30pm - 5pm (every week)

Mondays: 10.30am - 11.00am (2nd & 4th of the month)

Saturdays: 9.00am - 10.30am (2nd & 4th of the month)

*We may be closed on public holidays and part of the Summer holidays - check the Facebook page for updates

** Sessions depend on volunteer numbers and may be cancelled at short notice if the volunteers aren't available.

How much does membership cost?

(scroll to the right for membership fees, if viewing on your phone)

1. Family 'Duty' Membership (12 months) *	$80 (+$5 for families with 2+children **)
2. Family 'Non-duty' Membership (12 months)	$150 (+$5 for families with 2+children **)
3. Trial Membership (2 months)	$35
4. Gift Certificate	$35, $80 or $150 (or another amount by arrangement)
5. Party Hire (when available - Please email to arrange)	$10 per toy or item 3-6 toys Deposit of $100, refunded on return of cleaned toys in good condition

*This is a discounted membership for those willing to participate in at least 4-6 volunteer duties per year, to help run the borrowing sessions

**For families with 2+ children, the borrowing allowance increases

*** Trial membership fee is taken off the annual fee if you sign up for the rest of the year

Please note these fees cover only the library's base costs such as room hire, insurance and toy repairs. We do not receive government funding and rely on membership fees and grant applications made by volunteer members to remain operational.

Do you offer gift certificates?

Yes! A gift certificate is a perfect gift for any event such as birthdays, Christmas or baby showers. You can nominate what value you would like to add to a voucher, in line with the membership price list (above)

To purchase a Gift Certificate: Follow this link https://bunbury.mibase.com.au/public/gift/index.php

Do you offer party hire?

Yes! We are currently trialling a party hire option. Please bear with us while we iron out any kinks with this process. We welcome your feedback with this.

$10 per toy, minimum $30 spend
Maximum 6 toys at a time.
$100 deposit that will be returned you upon the return of the toys in good clean condition.

Please note any damage to the toys may be taken out of the deposit.

To loan toys for a PARTY: Send us an email to bunburyregionaltoylibrary@outlook.com

Aren't libraries free? Why is there a cost for membership?

Membership fees are kept at the lowest we can to cover our basic overheads. These include room hire and insurance. Our toy library is non-profit and transparent with our financials. Any surplus money is returned to the toy library to repair or replace toys as needed.

We also apply for grants from various sources. If you would like to assist our committee in applying for grants, please let us know! The more we receive in grants, the less we need to charge members.

Who runs the toy library?

Our toy library is run by members for members. We have a committee that meets as needed to guide processes and ensure we continue to run. Our offical titles include a chairperson, secetary and treasurer as well as a range of general committee spots. However, the work is shared across the team. Some roles include creating volunteer rosters, applying for grants, submitting compliance documents, running our social media accounts and responding to general enquiries.

We welcome all ideas about how we can improve our toy library. However, please note that all of our volunteers are parents/ carers, many are also working or have other commitments, so we often need help to put these ideas into action. Whether you would like to join the committee or just assist in particular projects, all help is welcomed! The committee can be contacted at bunburyregionaltoylibrary@outlook.com

What is expected of toy library members?

The toy library is completely volunteer run. It won't be sustained without the input of our member families. Discounted membership is offered for duty members in exchange for assisting at least 4-6 borrowing sessions per year. This role is quite simple - setting up at the start of a session, using our computer to check toys in and out, and packing away at the end. If there is time, any other odd jobs are appreciated such as tidying shelves, relabelling toys, etc. There is full training available and we aim to have at least 2 to 3 volunteers on duty for each session, so don't worry about being left alone.

All members, whether duty or non duty, are expected to assist with the annual stocktake and attend our annual general meeting (AGM).

How can I help?

Whether you are a member or not, we are always in need of volunteers! Roles might include this is assisting members with checking toys in and out at borrowing sessions, cataloguing and labelling new toys, completing stocktake, communications with members, updating social media. We welcome volunteers to make the role their own, and be creative in any way they can help (please discuss with a committee member first).

If you are interested in helping in any capacity, please contact the committee at bunburyregionaltoylibrary@outlook.com

Please note that all non-member volunteers are required to obtain a Working with Children Check and satisfactory National Police Clearance.

Is there a minimum commitment of volunteers?

Every little bit of volunteering helps. Memberships are offered at a reduced rate for families who can volunteer at least 4 times throughout the year. However, if you aren't a member or have a non-duty membership, we still welcome your help!

If you are interested in helping in any capacity, please contact the committee at bunburyregionaltoylibrary@outlook.com

Are you a registered charity? Are donations tax deductible?

Tax deductible donations can be made at: https://www.givenow.com.au/toylibraries

Our individual toy library is not registered to be a "deductible gift recipient". However, our peak body, Toy Libraries Australia does have this available. You are able to make a tax-deductible donation to Toy Libraries Australia and nominate which toy library you would like the funds to be directed too. Just mention "Bunbury Regional Toy Library" in the donation and it will come through to our account to be put into new toys or other essential items.

Our toy library is incorporated and registered under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC). We hold charity tax concession status.

Do I need a Working with Children Check (WWCC) to volunteer?

WWC Exemptions

Parent/ legal guardians: if work is carried out on a voluntary basis by a parent or legal guardian of a child who is involved or is ordinarily involved in the toy library, no WWCC is required.

Teenage volunteers: WWCC is NOT required for teenagers working alongside children.
- If there are volunteers who only attend ad hoc such as to help out with stock take or other tasks outside of usual toy library opening hours, i.e. they are not working when children are at the toy library, BUT they are working along side teenagers (i.e. high school students, under 18yo), they do not need to have a WWCC. Other legislation related to workplace safety covers this area, WWCC is not required for people working alongside children (people under 18yo).

Volunteers who do not have contact with children: if work is unlikely to involve contact with children, no WWCC is required.
- Example A: a community volunteer who comes into the toy library to repair toys, if they are in the library and not directly serving or assisting children, they are not required to apply for a WWCC.
- Example B: a community volunteer who assist with maintenance of your IT including access to your toy library database. Although they may have access to information regarding children, as they do not have direct contact with children, they are not required to apply for a WWCC.

People who require a WWCC at Bunbury Regional Toy Library:

Paid staff: all paid toy library staff require a WWCC (we do not currently have any paid staff)
Community Volunteers: volunteer adults (over 18yo) who have contact with children require a WWCC. This does NOT include parents or legal guardians of children who are members of the toy library.
Grandparent (or other family member) volunteers: only parents and those with legal care for children are exempt from WWCC (if their children are involved in your toy library). Even if the grandparent or carer is a member of the toy library, if they do not have legal care of children, then they require a WWCC to volunteer in the toy library.

WWCs are $11 for volunteers. Application forms can be found at Australia Post outlets.

Will there be staff to supervise our child at the toy library?

No. Parents/guardians/ carers should always supervise their children at the toy library. Children should never be left unsupervised or in the care of toy library staff or volunteers.

Was the Bunbury Regional Toy Library ever known as other names?

Yes! Our toy library has been around since 1990 and we've had a couple of name changes in that time. We became the Bunbury Regional Toy Library in March 2021. Prior to this we were the Eaton Toy Library. The original name was the Leschenault Neighbourhood Toy Library.