Burnside Toy Library one of the nation's best
Burnside Toy Library has won two prestigious awards out of more than 380 toy libraries across Australia.
There are calls for more toy libraries to be established across South Australia, as demand soars from families seeking to save money and be more environmentally sustainable.
An Adelaide toy library that helps parents save money while bringing joy to their children has won national acclaim, with calls for more toy libraries to be established by councils across South Australia.
Burnside Toy Library has been recognised by peak body Toy Libraries Australia for its contribution to the local community, helping families connect and learn through play.
Burnside’s Heather Wright also won Toy Librarian of the Year for her outstanding contribution, including revitalising the toy collection and working with volunteers to make the toy library a valuable and much-loved part of the local area.
Heather has also been integral to promoting toy libraries across South Australia and said she hoped other councils would look to establish or grow their own toy libraries. Toy libraries across Australia have seen demand for their services soar since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Having the support of our local council has been key to our success,” said Heather. “After becoming part of the council’s services, Burnside Toy Library went from being open 10 hours a week to almost 60 hours a week, and we’ve been able to invest in larger toys.
“Every library should have a toy library, even if it’s just a small collection. I would love to see more councils supporting toy libraries across South Australia.”
Established 30 years ago, Burnside Toy Library is now one of the biggest toy libraries in Australia in terms of membership with about 1500 members.
It has won the Toy Library Excellence award, in recognition of its recent project to support the community by buying skateboards, extra scooters and balance bikes to ensure that every local child could enjoy the council’s ‘pop up’ skateboard park and outdoor play.
Louise Bell, Development Officer at Toy Libraries Australia, said Burnside Toy Library was a leading example of the role toy libraries can play in promoting children’s development and community connections.
“We’re proud to be recognising Heather and the Burnside Toy Library for their dedication to making play accessible for all children and to sharing the benefits of toy libraries across the state,” she said.
“Toy libraries are an affordable and sustainable way for parents and carers to support a child’s development, while also creating important community meeting places. It’s no surprise that toy libraries across the country are booming as more families turn to borrowing toys to save money, reduce waste and reconnect with their communities after COVID-19.”
Memberships at Australia’s 380-plus toy libraries have surged over the past two years, with over 130,000 families nationally using a toy library every year. Some, like Burnside, are run by local councils while others are run by volunteers.
Toy libraries across Australia own toys worth $28 million, many of which are high-value sensory and active toys that would otherwise be too expensive or impractical for families to own themselves. That equates to $640 worth of toys for every family belonging to a toy library, with most memberships costing less than $2 a week. On average, a child gets bored of a toy within 36 days, which is why over half (51 per cent) the toys bought in Australia end up in landfill within a year.
Heather said she was proud to have played a role in supporting Adelaide families through Burnside Toy Library and hoped to see toy libraries grow in the future.
“I applied for the coordinator role, not really knowing what a toy library was. That was 15 years ago now and I haven’t looked back since,” she said.
“The best part of being a toy librarian is choosing new toys and developing relationships with local families to share the benefits and joy of play. It’s an honour to be receiving this award and it’s one I share with the whole Burnside Toy Library community.”
About Toy Libraries Australia
Toy Libraries Australia is the peak body for over 260 toy libraries and are a non-profit incorporated association, supporting and promoting the benefits of toy libraries to communities, children’s development and family wellbeing.
Find out more https://www.toylibraries.org.au/
