To keep things running, we need 2-3 volunteers at each borrowing session. Each member family is required to volunteer at two borrowing sessions per year. You can add your name to the roster online via the Member Login link above, or sign up in session.

We will remind you when you’re borrowing if we notice that you’re yet to complete a session in your membership year! Volunteering with us is super fun and gives you a great chance to look at all the toys.

Without member volunteers, we cannot keep our membership prices accessible.

When volunteering, the Coordinator will talk you through how to:

– process returns and loans on our database

– count returned toys to check all items are there

– number and label new or updated toys.

You could also join our member-run committee of volunteers where we have different roles available from time-to-time. View our current volunteer opportunities [here]

1. Visit a borrowing session and collect the toys you wish to borrow.

2. Take the toys to one of our volunteers, who will record what you are loaning.

3. We recommend checking through the toys before you start to play with them to ensure the label is up to date.

1. Toys must be cleaned before they are returned. It’s best to do this at home, but we do have cleaning products at the session

2. Let us know if there were any issues with the toy, including damage or parts not working. If you know of anything missing, please tell us

3. Volunteers will count through all the toy items after they are returned

4. If the toy is overdue, you may be asked to pay a small fine.

Before returning your toys please take the time to check through the items listed on the label, and make sure everything is included in the bag.

If you can't find a piece, let us know when you return the toy. It's a big help as we can then decide if the toy should still be loaned out, or put aside until the missing piece is returned.

Sometimes pieces go missing, get damaged or lost, and the toy can no longer be played with as designed. In that case we may need to talk to you about replacing the toy.

If you find a piece from a toy after you’ve returned it, please bring it back next time you visit the library. We love reuniting pieces, no matter how small, or how long they’ve been missing!

The Merri-bek Toy Library is governed by the Model Rules for an Incorporated Association. The model rules have been written to comply with Victoria's Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012.

You can read the rules by which Merri-bek Toy Library is governed here:

Rules of Association

A special resolution to adopt model rules for an incorporated association was conducted on Wednesday, 15 June 2022 by Merri-bek Toy Library committee with full support of the committee.

We encourage all members to review the Model Rules.

The Child Safe Policy and the Code of Conduct are a crucial step in ensuring the safety and well-being of the children and young people who engage with our toy library.

We encourage all our members to familiarise themselves with these policies.

Policy document here.

Together, we can continue to create a safe and nurturing environment for our community's children.

Always set aside time to clean toys before returning them to the Toy Library.  Many families do this the night before and put the toys away from the children.

You may need the following items:

1. An all-purpose cleaning formula which removes grease (e.g. bi-carb soda and vinegar, dishwashing liquid) 

2. Dish cloth

3. An old toothbrush

4. Wooden skewer and cotton wool, to make a very fine cotton bud

5. Tea towel

How to do it

Where appropriate, wash the toy well in hot soapy water – using a toothbrush will help get into hard to reach places. While still damp, use the skewer cotton bud to clean all nooks and crannies and edges so that the toy is perfectly clean.  Dry the toy with a tea towel or leave to dry overnight.

If your child has been ill

Disinfect the toys by wiping over with a suitable disinfectant.  Don’t soak toys in disinfectant.

Let a member of staff know on return so that we can isolate the toy for a period of time if required.

Reducing risk for children with food allergies

Children with food allergies are at risk of allergic reactions if they play with toys that have the food they are allergic to on them. To reduce the risk of toys getting food on them we ask that you:

• Do not allow your child to play with toys while they are eating

• Wash your child’s hands after they have eaten or had a milk drink before they play with the toys

• Wash any toys that accidently get food or milk on them.

For children who have food allergies:

• Recommend that you wash the toys prior to your child playing with them.

• Teach your children not to put toys or their fingers into their mouth

For more information on food allergies see https://allergyfacts.org.au/__interest/food-allergy/

Special Tips

Baby Rattles – Please remember not to immerse these toys as they collect water within which can lead to harmful bacteria developing.  Ensure baby toys are rinsed thoroughly of cleaning agents.

Wooden Toys and Train Sets – Scrub well with hot soapy water and a toothbrush, but no soaking in water.

Duplo/Lego – Wash well with hot soapy water and a toothbrush.  Rinse and leave to drain overnight.

Bath toys (and toys you have used in the bath) – These need to be cleaned and disinfected by wiping over with a suitable disinfectant.  Avoid soaking them in disinfectant as this may remove the colour from plastic toys.

Outdoor/Sandpit Toys – These must be cleaned well remembering that the next member may wish to use it inside.  Immerse in laundry tub.  Remove all sand and dirt and wash well with hot soapy water.

Wooden Puzzles – Wipe over all wooden pieces with a damp soapy cloth.

Board Games and Cardboard Puzzles – Wipe over with a hot damp, (not wet) cloth.  Clean all puzzle and game pieces.

Fabric items (Dress-ups/Puppets/Dolls Bedding/Infant Soft Toys) – Hand wash or gentle machine wash with laundry detergent and hang to thoroughly dry.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Updated on Nov 2024

Read our 204/25 Annual Report here.