Borrowing boom: Toy libraries taking off across SA
Toy libraries in South Australia are seeing a sharp uptick in users as more families opt for borrowing over purchasing, highlighting a growing trend across the state.
More than 50,000 people use council-run toy libraries each year, helping to lower their household spending, while also reducing the number of discarded toys being sent to landfill as waste.
City of Unley’s toy libraries co-ordinator Brodie Evitts said not only is the service great for families looking to save money, while still offering plenty of choice, but it also has environmental benefits too.
“There’s a really scary statistic that about 27 million toys – or 51 per cent of all toys – sold in Australia end up in landfill within 12 months, and part of the reason is that children generally lose interest in them after around 36 days,” she said.
“With toy libraries, you just pay a minimal annual fee and you can borrow toys rather than buy them, to see if your child really wants that doll house or that scooter.”
Brodie and her team of experienced librarians and early childhood experts have witnessed a rapid growth in membership across City of Unley’s two libraries located at Unley and Goodwood, from 450 people in 2018 to the current crop of 1350 members.
They now stock more than 4500 toys between the two centres – including building blocks, board games, audio books, sensory toys, musical items, sporting goods and costumes.
“In fact, we had 250 costumes available in the lead up to Book Week last August and, by the time it came around, there were only three left on the shelf,” Brodie said.
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“We also pair our costumes with a book so you come in, get whatever it is your child wants and off you go – it’s a full literacy experience.”
While pre-school children make up the biggest cohort of borrowers, there are toys, games and puzzles that cater for all ages, interests, developmental skills and needs.
“Sometimes a grandparent will come in with their grandchild and end up picking out a puzzle for themselves to pass the time or perhaps to maintain their cognitive thinking and fine motor skills,” Brodie said.
There are currently 75 toy libraries of various sizes in South Australia and many of them are run or supported by councils – from Whyalla and West Torrens to Coober Pedy and Coorong.
They’re also a great way for kids to foster play and imagination and a place for people to make social connections – particularly in regional or remote areas.
The types of membership vary from individuals to families, educators and organisations, such as NDIS providers or speech pathologists who use the service to borrow toys for clients.
A handful of toy libraries also serve as specialist hubs, with City of Adelaide’s music library and City of Onkaparinga’s collection of sport equipment providing unique offerings.
Some councils have more than one toy library – giving borrowers the choice between the two hubs and all covered under the one annual fee of around $20-$60 per year.
Members from other council areas can also attend a different toy library and either pay a small visitor fee or borrow free of charge (depending on the toy library).
Brodie said the toy libraries team regularly review their stock to make sure the selection of toys is kept up to date, durable and relevant.
“If a toy is not engaging or interesting, or is sitting on a shelf for more than six months, we will look at it and ask, why? Why aren’t people borrowing this any more?” she said.
“Is it worn out? Is it looking tired? Or maybe something is broken and then potentially we would move that on or offer the ones in good condition for sale for as little as two dollars.”
Two dollars is certainly a far cry from the average Australian household spend of $423 on toys each year.
The surge in popularity has meant that many South Australian toy libraries are now reaching capacity.
The team from Toy Libraries Australia is now turning its attention to state and federal authorities for increased funding to expand its services or open new centres in communities.
“It’s such a valuable service and I hope we can continue to grow and create more specialist hubs too,” Brodie said.
FAST FACTS
- 20 council-run toy libraries including at 12 large metro sites;
- 37 council-run toy collection centres;
- 5 Toy Well libraries in school-based community hubs in Salisbury and Playford;
- 7 toy libraries run by volunteer-led independent community organisations.
Visit Toy Libraries Australia to find your nearest Toy Library.
This article was brought to you by InDaily and LGA South Australia.
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