A peek into the Toy Box
As a member of the toy library, you will have access to over 600 toys suitable for children from birth to five years. You may review our toy inventory by flipping through the online catalogue here.
How to use the Toy Library
- All of our toys are coded with a letter followed by two numbers. For example, A-1-14. The letter code indicates the area of development according to the following:
- A-Action Toys (riding and climbing toys)
- B-Baby Toys (up to 18 months)
- C-Construction Toys (child needs to put the toy together to make it work such as duplo, marbleworks)
- G-Games (board games for children who are 3, 4 and 5 years old)
- I-Imaginative Play (theme toys such as houses, castles, cars, farms, etc…)
- M-Manipulative Skills (fine motor skill development such as sewing cards and lacing beads)
- P-Puzzles (range from 5 to 60 pieces)
- The first number corresponds to the toy number in our inventory;
- The second number corresponds to the number of pieces or parts that make up that toy.
- For example, Toy A-1-14 is an action toy, the first in the inventory with 14 pieces.
You will be given a library card with a personal barcode. This card will be used to sign into the computer. You will scan the barcode on your toys to sign them out or in. The EarlyON coordinator will be available to help you navigate the system.
The lending period is three weeks, although toys may be returned and/or exchanged sooner. Members may borrow three toys and three puzzles during the lending period.
A late fee of $.40 (cents) per toy / per day will apply.
To allow as many families as possible to benefit from the library, members will not be permitted to renew toys for two consecutive lending periods.
Members in Good Standing: Pledge of Fair Play
We pride ourselves on the excellent quality of toys that are available to help your children learn, explore and develop valuable skills. Please help your children to look after the toys that you borrow. The extra attention that you give to borrowed toys will teach your children a sense of responsibility and ensure that your family will continue to benefit from a varied selection of intact, complete and clean, indoor and outdoor toys.
Pledge 1 – I am returning the toys I borrow in the same condition that I got them.
You can help the toys stay in good condition longer by:
- Counting the pieces of the toy before you return it to make sure all the parts are there.
- Clean the toys with a mild disinfectant before you return them.
- Machine wash cloth toys.
- Wash the carrying bags if they are dirty.
Pledge 2 – I am responsible for the toys I borrow.
Members must remain in good standing to benefit from the toy library.
If a toy you have borrowed is lost or damaged while you have it and you cannot repair it, you must either replace that toy or pay the cost of the toy according to the value indicated in the toy catalogue.
If a toy is returned with missing pieces, you must inform the toy librarian and attempt to replace the missing pieces within 14 days. If you are unable to do so, you must either replace the toy or pay a fee of $5/piece, up to the cost of the toy. Once this is done, you may continue to use the library.
There will be a $2 cost for replacement of your membership card.
Its Your Turn!
Like most community-based programs, members have a role to play in its success.
Under our new guidelines:
- If you are new, fill out and submit our online Toy Library Membership form
- Book an appointment
- Do not come if sick in any way
- Complete the online pre-screening within 2 hours of you arrival
- Wear a mask
- If returning toys only, call ahead to let us know and leave your toys outside (no toy drop offs evenings or weekends)
- Disinfect toys before returning
- Soft toys and felt boards will not be available at this time due to the pandemic
Schedule by appointment only. You can: