Who runs the library?

We are a non-profit chartiy run by a voluntary committee with support from our members and their families. We are always in need of new committee members. From each new committee member, we gain new ideas and a fresh look into what can be improved. We are not a council or government organisation or a private company. We are a group of parents working together to benefit our children. The library is run by its librarian, members and a committee of volunteers.

how are you financed?

Your membership fee almost covers the cost of hiring the hall each Wednesday and Saturday, and paying a librarian to operate the library when it’s open. Outside of that, the library is run entirely by volunteers who deal with answering emails, applying for grants to purchase new toys, buying new toys, managing the librarian and volunteer roster, enrolling new toys in the system, removing and selling old toys, repairing toys and bags, stocktaking, keeping on top of the finances, writing our annual report, submitting our annual return to the Charities Commission and in general trying to keep everyone happy.

How many toys can I hire?

You can hire up to 6 toys at a time. The standard hire period is 3 weeks and you can renew your toys in SETLS once for a maximum total hire of 6 weeks.

the library is closed and my toy is due back! what should i do?

Don’t panic! No overdue fees are charged if the library is closed when your toy is due back. Simply return it when the library reopens after the holiday and tell the librarian who will waive any overdue fees.

can i just leave a toy outside the library when you’re closed?

Definitely not! The librarian only comes to the church hall and unlocks our toy cupboards when the library is open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Outside of those times the hall may be in use by other groups and the toy will be lost.

what happens if i can’t return a toy on its due date?

We understand that kids get sick or life gets in the way and sometimes you just can’t get to the library to return a toy. In this case, email greylynn.toylibrary@gmail.com to let us know what’s happened and we’ll see what we can do to extend your loan so you don’t incur overdue fees. Please be aware that if the toy you can’t return is on hold for another family you are depriving another child of enjoying that toy so play fair!

Can my children stay and play in the library?

Yes! Your children are welcome to stay and play in the play area when you come to check out toys. The hall is large with plenty of space to try out the toys and interact with other families. The church grounds include lovely gardens, large trees and a maze!

what membership options are available?

You can join as either a ‘rostered’ or ‘full’ member. Rostered members do 3 volunteer duties over the course of your year’s membership in return for a $90 discount off the membership fee.  Duties involve collecting toy returns, organising shelves, and helping pack away toys at the end of the session. We also offer a discount for community services card holders.

what happens if i join as a rostered member but don’t complete my volunteer shifts?

We know how busy things get as a parent! We charge $30 for each duty missed, so if you fail to complete any of your 3 rostered duties you’ll need to pay $90 which brings your membership fee up to that of a standard full membership.

What happens if we lose a piece of a toy?

If you lose a piece and you are not able to find it, you will be charged a replacement fee of $2 for small pieces, $5 for medium sized ones, or $10 for large. If a missing piece causes the toy to be incomplete, you are welcome to buy the toy (and we hope you find the piece at home), or pay to replace it.

What happens if my child breaks or loses a WHOLE toy?

Normal wear and tear is understandable, and if an old toy wears out or breaks down through normal use while in your care please let the librarian know so we can replace it.

If a toy is used inappropriately and damaged – eg is smashed into the floor, or played with in the bath, or left outside to go mouldy (especially wooden toys), or gets chewed by your dog, you will be charged replacement cost relative to the age and condition of the toy. The Librarian will notify the Toy Library Committee who will determine an appropriate amount – each case is treated individually.

If you lose or damage one of the Zippit toy storage bags you will be asked to pay their replacement cost (minimum $10 and up to $100 for large custom-made bags).

what happened to summer toy hire?

As of 2025 we decided to remove the Summer Toy Hire fee and allow members to keep all the toys they have on loan before the holiday starts. This effectively means that any toys you borrow in December will be due back when we reopen in January. In detail:

  • All toys due back after we close for summer on Wed 17th Dec will have their return dates updated to Wed 4th Feb – 2 weeks after we reopen on Wed 21st Jan.
  • Missing piece fees for toys kept over summer will be strictly enforced. If you are concerned about losing pieces over the long break – just return the toy and take a ride-on or some sports equipment instead!
  • The toys you keep over summer must not be due back before we close for the holiday. Our last open date is Wed 17th Dec, so if a toy is due back before then, please return it so other members can borrow it – especially for popular toys that often have a long queue of holds.
  • Please ensure your membership is current and lasts well into Feb next year if you intend to borrow toys over the summer.
  • If you do end up keeping an overdue toy over summer, it will incur an overdue fee of $5/week, which will add up to $30 minimum by the end of the holiday. Please be fair and kind to others.

can i place a hold on a toy?

  • Yes! Simply login to SETLS, find the toy you want and press “Place hold”. You’ll be notified when the toy is returned to the library – or immediately if the toy is available now.
  • Holds operate on a first-come first-served basis, so if 5 people already have a hold on a toy, you’ll join the back of the queue.
  • When you come to the library to collect a toy you have on hold, please ensure the librarian marks it down as collected in SETLS so we know you’ve taken it. It’s always a good idea to ask for an emailed receipt when you leave so you can check we’ve correctly recorded the toys you currently have on loan.
  • If you don’t pick up a toy you have on hold within 7 days of being notified that it’s ready for collection, your hold will be cancelled and it will go to the next person in the queue.

Do you DO party hire?

  • Yes! We have two party tables, 11 chairs, a bubble machine, birthday cake moulds and a chocolate fountain for hire for a small fee. You can find them under Category Z in SETLS, but do not use the holds option as holds will not be honoured on these items – instead email greylynn.toylibrary@gmail.com to make a reservation.

CAN I RESERVE TOYS FOR A SPECIFIC DATE?

  • We only offer reservations for the party hire items mentioned above. If you want toys for a birthday party, you can try placing a hold in SETLS or just come to the library a week or two beforehand and see what we have available!