Yackandandah Toy Library

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who runs the library?

We are a non-profit organization run by a voluntary committee with support from our members and their families. We are always in need of new committee members, please email yacktoylibrary@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the Yackandandah Toy Library committee. 

What happens if we lose a piece to a toy?

Please let the Toy Library duty person know when you return the toy that a piece is missing. The Toy Library duty person can record a missing piece alert in our system for future borowers. Please return missing pieces that you find to our 'Missing Pieces' Box, which is on the top shelf under window in Toy Library and leave a note in our communications book.  The duty person who returns the missing piece to the toy can then delete the 'missing piece' alert in mibase. There is currently no charge for missing pieces, unless the missing piece causes the toy to be incomplete, in which case a $10 replacement fee will be charged.

What happens if my child breaks a toy?

If the toy is broken and no longer usable you will be charged a $10 replacement fee. If a toy breaks due to reasonable wear and tear, there will be no charge. We kindly ask that you clean all toys prior to returning them, so they are ready for the next family.

How many toys may I hire?

You can hire up to 6 toys out at a time.

What is the loan period?

The loan period is for 2 weeks, you can renew your toys twice so that the maximum checkout for any set of toys is 42 days. There is currently no fine for overdue toys.

What types of toys are available?

See our online toy database for full details. 

Donations of good quality second hand toys are gratefully accepted.

We welcome any ideas for new toys, please send your toy ideas to yacktoylibrary@gmail.com.

Please note that the criteria used for buying toys are as follows:

  • must have good play value
  • must be well designed and constructed and be suitably robust and safe
  • should not encourage violent play
  • should not invite emotional attachment
  • should not be gender-specific (except for some costumes), reinforce sexist stereotypes or promote a negative self-image
  • must be among the best of their type of item available
  • preferably made of wood if a floor puzzle
  • preferably made of wood if a puzzle with less than thirty pieces
  • preferably does not require batteries - except if the toy has good play value without using the battery feature
  • must not have dangerous small pieces (see Note 1 below)
  • must be suitable for toy library borrowing:
    • should fit into an average sized car
    • must be able to be cleaned effectively, preferably not fabric (except costumes, puppets)
    • must not contain consumable items such as crayons, game pads etc
    • must have a manageable amount of pieces

Note 1: For example, a construction toy made mainly of magnetic marble-type pieces.  Marble runs are recommended only for toy libraries, who can manage them by not keeping marbles with the toys, but locked away in a part of the Toy library which is not accessible to children, and given only directly to the parents. Please note that it is mandatory that all items with small parts have a warning attached. 

In addition to this we are committed to purchasing our toys from local businesses where possible.