Beechworth Toy Library
Philosophy: BTL aims to provide a range of high quality, educational, non-violent toys that stimulate children through play.
Hours: WEDNESDAY: 3.30pm to 4.30pm | SATURDAY: 9.30am - 11.30am | All year (including school holidays) except for Easter Saturday and 3 weeks over Christmas (for stocktake and cleaning).
Staffing: Staffed by volunteers, one committee member is on duty for each opening. Duty helpers are always appreciated. Committee members usually undertake one duty every 7 weeks.
Fees: $40 per family per year, $20 per family ½ year. Membership is recorded as an anniversary, with payment for the 6 or 12 months calculated from the date of joining.
Helping Out At Toy Library: Members are not required to undertake duty as part of their membership however any help is greatly appreciated. Helping out at toy library can include taking out and bringing back in the “Toy Library Open” sign, assisting members in counting pieces of returned toys and tidying toy library.
Communication: Communication methods include a noticeboard inside and outside toy library, comment box and a regularly published newsletter which is distributed each term (either hand delivered, mailed or emailed). The newsletter is also published on the website. In addition, any “special event information” is emailed or delivered via mail and if there are any questions or concerns from the committee or the members then we make phone contact as soon as possible. Now that we have a website, the newsflash section will be used to keep members up to date with what's happening at BTL.
Borrowing Rights: Each family is entitled to borrow 2 toys per child and a reference/resource item such as a cake cook books. Items may be borrowed for 2 weeks.
Fines Policy: Overdue fees are 50cents per toy, per week or part thereof. Lost or missing pieces are charged a fee of $2 per piece, refundable upon return. Damaged toys are referred to the committee where the factors of age, depreciation, usability, replacement value, etc. are taken into consideration before charging a member.
Fundraising Policy: All members are encouraged to participate in fundraising. We hold a successful Mothers’ Day produce stall and raffle in May and BBQ sausage sizzle in October, toy catalogues in September. We are currently reviewing our fundraising events in an effort to reduce the burden on members and to maximise income. We are very aware that our members are also members of other clubs and organisations and that in a small community there can be an overwhelming request on people to “help out”. Ritchies Community Benefits Card provide a regular income for no fundraising effort and we encourage members to have BTL cards swiped when shopping at the supermarket. Any new ideas for fundraising would be welcomed by the committee.
Venue: BTL is located at the rear of Beechworth Neighbourhood Centre in a room that overlooks a playground. This area is completely fenced and has a locked storage shed for outside toys, a toilet and change table, and a large play area that includes a slide, swings, climbing equipment, sandpit, bike path, fort, child safe gate. It is an ideal location for a toy library as it provides a child friendly play area with security.
Rear of Beechworth Neighbourhood Centre
Oak Building
30 Ford Steet
Beechworth VIC 3747
