Melbourne Community Toy Library has closed down. A new toy library, run by the City of Melbourne will be opening soon.
Melbourne Community Toy Library (MCTL) and City of Melbourne have been working together and exploring options to ensure that the toy library service continues within the City of Melbourne. We are pleased to let you know that from July 2023 the toy library service will transition from the Melbourne Community Toy Library to City of Melbourne Libraries. This outcome ensures continuity of the service and ongoing access to toys for children and families within the municipality.
From July 2023, toy library membership will be FREE and open to all City of Melbourne Libraries members.
If not already a member, all MCTL members can join City of Melbourne Libraries, giving you access to six permanent libraries across the municipality, located in the CBD, Carlton, Docklands, East Melbourne, North Melbourne, Southbank and a new Library opening in November opposite Queen Victoria Market. Opportunities will be provided to all current Melbourne Community Toy Library members to join the library prior to the commencement of the new service.
City of Melbourne is committed to accessibility and programming for children. Membership to City of Melbourne Libraries comes with a range of benefits, including access to programs such as story time, school holiday programs, books in community languages, DVDs, streaming services, maker spaces and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) kits.
It is anticipated that the Carlton, Docklands and North Melbourne locations current opening hours will be maintained until 24 June 2023, which will be the last day of borrowing. The libraries will then close on 1 July 2023 and reopen on 17 July 2023, to give City of Melbourne time to on-board staff, undertake a stocktake and add toys to the library catalogue.
From 17 July City of Melbourne will support families who have been using The Hub @Docklands by providing a click and collect service and special story time/toy sessions at Library at the Dock. A facilitated Docklands playgroup is also being explored. In addition, a collection of toys to browse and borrow will be available from September at Library at the Dock, until then current users of The Hub@Docklands can use toy library services at Carlton and North Melbourne or the click and collect service at Library at the Dock.
A survey will be going out to MCTL members shortly to seek feedback on both opening hours and ideas on how to enhance the service. The hours of opening at Carlton and North Melbourne will increase so that the overall opening hours remain the same – enabling users the ability to access the service at different times. These hours will be informed by the feedback received from the survey.
The recruitment process for City of Melbourne Toy Library staff and volunteers will commence in early May.
Between now and July we will continue to work together to ensure a smooth handover and minimal service disruption. We will keep you informed throughout the process with regular updates.
You can join City of Melbourne Libraries online by visiting: Library membership - City of Melbourne
Or by visiting one of our libraries http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/.../Pages/locations.aspx
Questions to Felicity Oxnam on felicity.oxnam@melbourne.vic.gov.au or Anne-Maree Pfabe on anne-maree.pfabe@melbourne.vic.gov.au or 0409322362.
Carlton Branch
The Chapel
469 Cardigan St, Carlton
(access via Alexandra Pde/Cemetery Rd E)
Monday 3:30pm-6pm
Wednesdays 10am-12:30pm
Saturday 10am-1pm
Docklands Branch
Hub@Docklands Community Recreation Centre (YMCA)
80 Harbour Esplanade, Melbourne
Thursday 10am-12pm
Saturday 1pm-3pm
North Melbourne Branch
113 Melrose Street, North Melbourne
Tuesday & Saturday 10am-12:30pm
Thursdays 1-3:30pm
Saturdays 10am-1pm
Closed Public Holidays and Christmas Break (20 December to 10 January)