August 10 Issue 135 - Toy Library Federation NZ

Toy Library Federation news, events and information
August 2010
Issue 135
THE TOY LIBRARY LINK
Let The Children Play
www.toylibrary.co.nz
TOY LIBRARY FEDERATION OF NZ
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2009-2010
NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING CHARGES
Advertising charges (excluding GST):
Full Page –
$200.00
Half Page $100.00
Quarter Page $50.00
Eighth Page $25.00
Inclusion of Flyer $100.00
Inclusion of 3 or more consecutive
advertisements attracts a discount. Please
contact the Office for details.
Please note;
Copy must be good quality and photocopy
ready i.e. fully designed
Irene Mosley
National President
Chris Chambers
National Treasurer
Tasha Black
ph (03)418-3152
[email protected]
ph (04)973-9250
[email protected]
ph (04)589-7717
Debbie Bowdler
ph (03)528-9214
Teresa Martin
ph (09)279-9005
Diane Pitcaithly
ph (09)575-7376
Lisa Ross
Kim Siemonek
Vanessa Robertson
ph (03)418-2097
ph (06)378-8033
ph (03)324-4489
STAFF
Christine Jelley
Office Manager,
The editor reserves the right to adjust
submitted material.
Newsletter Editor
Deadline for next Newsletter is
1 November 2010
03 388 9743
0800-148-697
[email protected]
Lisa Taylor
Toy Express
03 482-1370
0800-148-699
Toy Buyer
[email protected]
Toy Express Hours:
Monday – Thursday
10am-2pm
Office Hours:
The views expressed in this newsletter
are not necessarily those of the TLFNZ.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
Friday
We recommend Toy Libraries seek
independent advice, particularly in regard
to legal issues.
Office Address:
11-3 pm
12-3pm
PO Box 27-146
Shirley
CHRISTCHURCH 8640
Website: www.toylibrary.co.nz
2
Inside this Issue:
Page:
2
3
4
6
7
8
10
12
13
14
16
18
19
20
23
24
25
27
30
31
32
Editorial:
What a busy three months it has been in
the Office, and no doubt in your libraries
as well.
Contact Details
Contents, Editorial
President‘s Report
Questions from the Website Forum
Awareness Week Activities
Thoughts from Training Weekend
Building a Website
Maximising Space
Regional
Paid Librarians
What a Good Idea!
Affiliation
What our Libraries Offer
Toy Ideas for 5-8 years
Toy Express
Toy Express Billing
Sport & Active Movement
Toy Libraries in the News
Don‘t Forget
Housekeeping
Circulation & Notes
178 libraries have submitted applications
for Lottery this year. While going
through the applications, there were a
number who had not filled them fully –
please do take care with all your
applications to have them complete, and
well presented. It is a good idea to have a
second person check over the application
before you submit it.
I am still going through the returned
accountabilities from those that received
a Lottery grant earlier this year. Again, I
would ask that you have someone check to
ensure they are complete before sending
them in to a funding provider.
Many libraries have again taken part in
our bulk insurance plan and took the
opportunity to look at, and change the
amount of cover required.
The future
depends on what
we do in the
present
Regional meetings are being planned for
the months ahead and I would encourage
you all to go to one near you if at all
possible – they really are a good way to
share ideas and help solve issues, as I‘m
sure everyone who attended the recent
successful National Training Weekend
would agree. And remember to start
saving for the next one in Wellington in
2012.
Christine
Quote of the Day:
3
President‘s Report
Hi,
This is the first newsletter from our new organisational structure. Toy Library Federation
is now an Incorporated Society, rather than a charitable trust. This change was passed at
the AGM unanimously. While this will not have any major effect on the day to day running
of our organisation it does mean that we now have a structure that ensures that TLFNZ
remains your organisation. A trust tends to have the powers of the organisation sit with
the board, whereas an incorporated society board work for the benefit of the members
and the members have the final say in any major decision the board may need to make. We
have also updated the constitution to ensure that there are clear guidelines for the board
and members on the future running or our organisation.
Volunteer Training Weekend
As I write this it is nearly two months since our Volunteer Training weekend in
Christchurch. What a busy and inspiring weekend it was. Also quite exhausting for
everyone involved in running it, but certainly worth the effort. We were thrilled that so
many of you took the opportunity to attend the weekend and from the feedback it seems
that you all went home with some new hints and tips for running your toy library.
A big thank you to Billa Field and her team of helpers, who pulled the weekend together in
just over seven months. Their team work and commitment was amazing and they came in
under budget which is no mean feat these days when prices seem to rise all the time.
Direction for 2010-2011
Our board met last weekend and had a really good meeting with plenty of time to do some
future planning now that the training weekend and constitutional issues are behind us. At
present we are developing a plan for regionals with the aim of covering all of the country in
the next 18 months. On page 13 of this newsletter there is a list of planned regionals with
dates, so check this out and pencil in one near you. If you would like to host a regional day
then let us know. The benefit of hosting is that the day or evening will be held at our near
your toy library allowing more of your committee to attend. You also get the benefit of
having lots of eager eyes checking out your facility and making suggestions and sharing
idea. It could also be an easy fundraiser for you as we need catering when we hold day
meetings and TLFNZ are able to pay your toy library to do this for us.
4
Funding
Another area that we want to focus on is funding. At present TLFNZ is very reliant on our
lottery funding. We really appreciate the long term support we have received but are also
aware that being reliant on one organisation does but us at risk. At our next board meeting
we plan to work on a funding strategy to try and spread our reliance on funding and also
look at ways we could be helping individual toy libraries source funding and or fundraising
opportunities.
Awareness Week
Congratulations to all those toy libraries that had events and activities to mark Toy
Library Awareness week. We have been in negotiations with the National Children‘s Day
team about the possibility of us moving our awareness week to the first week in March so
that it coincides with National Children‘s Day which is the first Sunday in March each year.
The move would enable us to link in with an organisation that already publishes resources
and advertising for the day and we are a good fit with their philosophy. It would mean that
toy libraries could register their events on the Children‘s day website, utilise their
resources and tack your own events on to the events that are already organised for the
Sunday afternoon or the week preceding this. We would be keen to hear your thoughts on
this idea. We will be continuing to explore this over the next month, so let Chris at the
office know if you think this is a good idea that would make it easier for you to build a
profile in your area.
Over the next few months I will be at regional events in Balclutha, Wellington,
Christchurch and South Canterbury. I am looking forward to the chance to meet some of
you and catch up with those I have met already. Please take the opportunities to get along
to these events they only work if plenty of people take the opportunity to attend.
All the best for the next few months of toy library life. I hope that things are ticking
along nicely for you at your toy library. If not give me a call, as a problem shared is a
problem halved and we might be able to find a solution for you.
Irene Mosley
National President
5
QUESTIONS FROM THE WEBSITE FORUM
Log on at www.toylibrary.co.nz
Have you checked the forum out lately? Here is a selection of
questions currently being discussed – please share your thoughts with
others, either through the forum, or send them into the Office for inclusion in
the next issue.
 What records do we need to keep, and for how long?
The only legal requirement is to keep the financial records for a minimum of 7
years. Minute books should also be kept, for your archives, and to help understand
where your library and it’s ways of doing things has come about. Keep records and
posters of publicity promotions - makes for a good visual display as the years go
on. Correspondence - only keep what might be useful as a future resource. Keep all
Annual reports - archives and they should give a very detailed history of the year's
activities. Newsletters to members also useful to keep to give a glimpse of how the toy
library has developed and issues faced over time.
– Thanks Billa for your insights.

Our Sand, water and sports sections are looking rather tired.
What is popular at everybody else’s Libraries?
Hi there I bought a largish plastic tray/trough with a depth of 6 inches from a
plastics shop and called it a sand/seed/water play tray. In it i put lots of toys used
for pouring, filling, sailing, sieving etc. It's reasonably popular. Got the idea from
an Early Intervention centre.
– Thanks Kathy for this idea.
Any other suggestions? Please send them into the Office, or post on web forum.
 Membership rolling vs yearly
Hi we are considering changing to a rolling membership from Jan-Dec one. I'm
keen to hear about how this works for other toy libraries. Any major problems?
Any tips to make it easier?

Risk Management in the Toy Library
Have you got a list of likely risks and recommended controls for the toy libraries
too? I'm going to hopefully go through my toy library soon and risks assess it, so
it would be really useful if there was a standard list of questions.
A risk management plan is currently in progress by an internal auditor and
board member. Please contact the Office if you would like a copy of the draft.
6
Awareness Week Activities
The recent Toy Library Awareness Week has been celebrated by many libraries, and many
thanks to those who sent in details of what they were doing to the Office. Here are just a
few things that have been happening……
 A number of libraries have been successful in getting articles written in their local
papers – well done.
 Tokomairiro Toy Library – held a Mystery Envelope Appeal along with a cake stall
and toy library balloons. They had heaps of support from their local businesses with
over 100 envelopes filled with all sorts of prizes.
 Westland Toy Library - held an information evening with various groups who may
pass the message forward to their members of what the toy library does and has
available.
 Levin Toy Library went around local music and playgroups to tell everyone about
their toy library.
 Ellesmere & Kaiapoi Toy Libraries - window displays in local shops.
 The Board invited you all to take part in a ―warrant of fitness survey through Survey
Monkey – there is still time to do it – go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/RY3YPYC
If you don‘t have access to the internet please contact the Office for a copy.
7
Thoughts from the recent Training Weekend
My first conference was a
very exciting and inspirational
experience – learning a lot of
new things & meeting some
great people.
Love the camaraderie of a
crowd of people who come
together with the same
interests, sharing a
weekend, picking each
other’s brains....
Great meeting everyone
that had worked so
hard to make such a
great weekend happen,
and getting to know
each other so well.
To the President and Committee
Just a quick letter to say that we really
enjoyed the Training Weekend held in
Christchurch and the way you all ran the
AGM. From what I have been told it was a
far cry from the last one. So WELL DONE
and GREAT JOB. We feel that the Toy
Library Federation is in great hands and
will be well looked after. As we all know it
can be tiring and sometimes very hard but
as our motto say‘s ―Let the Children Play.‖
What a fantastic weekend.
I thoroughly enjoyed working
with a great committee.
Good luck to Wellington.
Came home full of
enthusiasm and ideas
to try out in our
library.
8
When I was asked if I would convene the Christchurch organizing group for the 2010
National Training Weekend, it did not take me long to reply in the affirmative. I enjoy a
project that has the potential for positive outcomes and working with enthusiastic Toy
Library people is always rewarding.
When I was looking through my scrapbook of old articles and publicity material, I came
across a newspaper article, written for the Nelson Evening Mail Weekender dated
Saturday February 5 1994. It starts off with ―Not many board meetings begin with a
quick play with the latest toy. But play is the serious business of the Toy Library
Federation‖.
At this stage there were 118 Toy Libraries in the country. The Federation had just
lobbied successfully for better toy standards and the Board was working with the Nelson
ACC accident prevention officer to produce a series of toy safety resource sheets to be
sent to every library. These information sheets were to explain the then Children‘s Toy
New Zealand Safety Standards that came into force in 1992.
There was also a concern for the ―two day wonder toys‖, which are badly constructed and
have fragile small parts.
2010, and the large Toy Expo area set up at Lincoln, showing good, sturdy and safe toys
was a wonderful buzz of colours, chat and lots of serious purchasing took place. An
excellent opportunity for viewing a wide range of the good quality toys, which we expect to
find in New Zealand Toy Libraries.
I felt that the Christchurch organising group with the support of the TLFNZ Board
achieved some very positive outcomes for New Zealand Toy Libraries.
It was an excellent weekend and I enjoyed my time being involved with supportive,
dedicated toy library people.
Now to allow myself further enjoyment by meandering through the archives of the
Federation, as it is important to continue with the safe keeping of this information.
Billa Field
Notes from Workshops are currently being put together into a booklet
and will be sent to libraries soon. We will also be putting some up onto our
website, so keep checking for updates.
9
Training Weekend Workshop Notes:
BUILDING A WEBSITE by Justine Lee
Internet – a lot of people use it so need to decide on what you want to achieve.
 Aims of a website
 Overall structure
 Develop content and look
 Get site online
 Promote it
 Keep content updated
 Review/evolve regularly
 Housekeeping.
You can do it yourselves or get someone else to do it – or a bit of each.
What do you want from your website?
Consider;

Audience,
 e.g. prospects, newbies, old hands
 Aim(s)
 Written, specific
 Prioritised
 How to measure achieved?
Refer to your aims throughout the process to make sure your site is meeting them.
Possible aims:





Get new members to join
Provide information / service
Reduce aim
Create a community
Promote to sponsors
Overall structure:





Use audience and aims to determine structure and content.
Start on paper – brainstorming, structure charts
Look at other websites for ideas
Start small
Common pages – contacts, FAQ, membership form, news/newsletters, toys, sponsors
10
Developments & Look:





In house or outsource (if outsourcing should cost a few hundred dollars).
Content – text, images, interactive features
Look – page layout, simple is best
Navigation – maximum of 5-7 main levels of navigation.
Interactive features – online payments, documents available, calendars
Get site online:



Domain name – your identity on the web.
Web host – where your pages live
Content management – tools to create/update your sites content.
Facebook
Look at the possibility of using Facebook as an alternative to a webpage if there is a
budget issue.
Want a Toy Library website
that is easy for you to
maintain and easily read by
your members?
Pay a one off fee for your website and get a
year’s support from me - a Mum and Toy
Library Enthusiast!
“Rochelle saved our Toy Library an annual
cost of $600 for our website!”
- Papamoa Toy Library
Contact Rochelle
Phone:075723413 or Text:0273330992
Email: [email protected]
11
MAXIMISING SPACE – DI PITCAITHLY & TERESA MARTIN
Plastic Boxes
 Stacking plastic containers just make sure that shelving not too deep as toys get lost at the
back.

Plastic Box Shops – if you are buying large amounts ask for a discount or wait until for sales.

Put foam in the bottom of the box to stop toys rolling around (foam from Plastic Box).
Another option with big toys is to put extras in a bag and tie to the toy.
Bags


Burwood, now Shirley toy library plastic drawstring bags. If needed, can make different
sizes than supplied, by cutting down and finish yourself. These do go cloudy over time; even
though they are not expensive, they need to be replaced often.
Zip-it Bags – last and can be re-stitched and they don‘t go cloudy. Think about applying for
grants.
 Use garden bags with handles $3.99 at Plastic Box.
Shelving
 Lundia shelving.

Centre free standing units if space there for larger toys, can butt together as bracing is in
the middle.

Lower shelving with brackets on the wall (Bunnings have been known to give 40% discount so
just ask). Although be careful as brackets do change, so may not be a good idea to but too
many.

Portable shelving with castors – ask at your local library as they do change their shelving.

Shelving average reach is 1.8m so don‘t put too high because it then becomes an OSH
problem.

Sliding shelving on rails.

Try buying from shops that are changing their shelving.

Wire shelves for CDS/DVS/Videos and games. Art drying rack for games and puzzles.
Carousels that turn.
 Cover sheets for plywood – cheap shelving, Placemakers.
Other
 Dough buckets very large with handles for railways etc. Ask at bakeries e.g. Baker Boys
factory shop.
 Square egg buckets, also see through. Jam buckets.
 Use original box if sturdy, duraseal and add handles.
 Book tape corporate express for strengthening corners of puzzles and games boxes.
 Try hanging dress-ups and puzzles on skirt hangers.
 To clean stickiness from bags use ―dissolve it‖.
 Look for sponsors – one insurance company donated all their office equipment when they
refurbished.
 Luxury for some – children area with cushions and TV with DVD or video.
12
Regional
Over the next year, the Board intend to help run a series of Regional Meetings throughout
the country. The first of these meetings is for the Lower South Island and is being held in
Balclutha on Saturday 28th August. Please contact the Office if you are willing to host one,
or if you have topics you would like covered at one.
Regionals planned for 2010-11 include:
Balclutha – 28 August
Wellington – 28 September
Auckland –30 October
Hawkes Bay -11 November
Christchurch – 18 November – possibly at
Every Educaid
South Canterbury – possibly Timaru in early
November
Nelson/West Coast – November 2010
Dunedin - February- 2011
Manawatu - April 2011
Nelson - 9th July 2011 (along with the AGM)
Coromandel – possibly Thames
King Country –
Central Plateau - possibly in Wanganui
Tauranga/Te Puke –
Wairarapa –
Invercargill –
North Canterbury – possibly at Amberley
If you like sharing information about toy
libraries and have had experience with toy
libraries you can pass on to help other toy
libraries, we would love to hear from you.
If you have any questions please contact our
Regional Networker – Debbie on 03 528 9214
or email us at [email protected] for
Thank you to Lotteries for providing
funding towards regional and national
events.
more information.
13
Paid Librarians
A number of libraries have been requesting information on trends in other libraries in
relation to recruiting a paid librarian. We thought that the following information may be
helpful to you.
138 of our 220 Libraries now employ a librarian to run their sessions. Most of the others
rely on regular volunteers/committee members who are there almost every session.
The issue of pay – how much, and how to fund it is often a big one for toy libraries.
Every toy library is unique in the way that they are run, the area that they operate in and
the resources that are available to them. It really does depend on each library and their
members as to how and what they can afford to offer a librarian.
Pay rates seem to range from the minimum wage (currently $12.75 an hour) to over $20
hour. The most common wage rate seems to be in the area of $14-$16 hour. Do be aware
that you are not legally allowed to employ people to work for less than the minimum wage.
A few of our members indicated that they pay $10 and $12, which is below the minimum
wage.
One or two pay per session rather than an hourly rate, and a couple pay an honorarium
instead of wages. A couple also treat their librarians as self-employed contractors.
Whatever method you decide on for your toy library is careful to ensure you are working
with in the current tax and employment law.
When setting a wage rate for your librarian, or applying for a grant to help fund one, you
need to consider not only the actual wages ie pay rate x hours, but also factor in a % to
cover the hidden costs of holiday pay (minimum 4 weeks normal pay or 8% gross wages),
ACC levies and possibly kiwisaver employer contributions (currently 2%, but
increases to 3% in 2011 and 4% in 2012). Remember your must give any employee the
option of joining a Kiwisaver scheme.
www.keepingitlegal.co.nz is a great resource website specially designed for not for profit
groups such as ours. You will find helpful information there. Or, contact your nearest law
centre or if you are in a rural area, Heartland Services may be able to help.
Remember you need a written employment contract for your employee. Good templates for
this can be found at www.dol.govt.nz or contact our office 0800 148 697 or refer to our
set up and operations manual for sample contracts.
14
You also need to develop a health and safety plan for your library, identifying and where
possible minimising hazards. You should talk any new employee through your facility in an
orientation session and discuss hazards and ensure they are aware of the processes they
should follow in the case of an accident, small or major. Remember to keep an accident
register and record any incidents. A good place to keep this may be in your first aid kit (
Yes! You should have one of those too, especially if you are in a stand alone building.) If you
are in a building also tenanted by others, you may be able to have access to their
resources, but make sure you check on this and don‘t just assume.
Remember that as employers you have legal and moral responsibilities. Ensure you have a
good line of communication so that your employee does not feel as though they are
responsible to the entire committee. Have one person from whom they take their main
instructions and to whom they discuss things with. Have a regular check in time with your
librarian to make sure things are going ok. Never assume things are fine. If you start with
a good communication style, it will ensure things go much better and your librarian feels
valued and looked after.
Librarians are an invaluable resource for your toy library. Not only can they ensure the
smooth running of your toy library but also encourage members by being supportive and
helpful at the check in counter, while still being firm about missing pieces and overdue
charges. Thank them when they do a good job and encourage them when there are things
you would like to see done differently or better.
15
What a Good Idea!
This is the page where you get the opportunity to share
all your good ideas and tips with everyone else!
You can get plastic wheels from your local hardware store (Bunning‘s or Mitre 10) like the
wheelie bins and bbq's which are in various sizes. Also Trademe sometimes has people selling
plastic wheels. Also, www.rexproducts.co.nz sell plastic, nylon and rubber wheels.
www.epiplastics.co.nz sell those yellow or black plastic balloon wheels for the 3-wheeler
motorbikes.
- Thanks to Howick Pakuranga Toy Library .
Papamoa Toy Library recently had a newspaper article done on their toy library. Here is a list of
questions sent to them prior to their interview. Maybe these questions will help you, when
you are thinking of contacting papers for articles on your library and events.
General questions about the club
-
History of the club
How many members are there?
What age are they? (For example, 15-90 years??)
What type of people are involved?
When is the club open?
What does the club offer? (It's purpose)
Who does it target?
How expensive is it to take part?
How do you raise funds to operate?
What fundraising events has the club done in the past?
If someone was interested in getting involved, who would they contact? What could they do?
Where is the club situated?
When is awareness week?
What are you guys doing to promote the club - are there any events taking place this week?
And some questions for you:
-
When did you get involved?
Why?
What do you get out of it?
Have you made some good friends through the club?
16
Thank you to Carterton Toy Library, who have sent in their ―welcome‖ letter given to new
members, and thought others may like to adapt it to their libraries.
17
Affiliation
Many funding applications ask if an organisation is affiliated to a national body, and as a
result, I often get requests into the Office to provide a letter to assist with funding
applications and to advise that a toy library is affiliated to the Toy Library Federation of
New Zealand. I am only too happy to send you a letter of support for your funding
applications and in that letter I mention how you are a financial member of the TLFNZ. So
please do let me know if you would like a letter sent to help you with your applications.
Your toy library is a member of the TLFNZ, but not affiliated the TLFNZ.
There are some toy libraries that are affiliated to another body – our Plunket toy libraries
will be affiliated to the national Plunket body, Parent Centre toy libraries to the Parents
Centre, Salvation Army/Baptist toy libraries are affiliated to their respective Churches….,
but for all other toy libraries, which have their own legal status as an incorporated society
or trust, you are independent organisations and not affiliated to anyone, so do not need to
tick the affiliated box on your applications.
From the information sent back from this year‘s profile forms, the legal status of our toy
library members looks like this: -
Affiliations
2%
3%
3%
5%
Baptist
Salvaltion Army
13%
1%
6%
67%
Other Church based
Parents Centre
Plunket
CCS Disability Action
Other
Non Affiliated
18
What our Libraries Offer their Members
In the Office I often get phone calls from the public asking if a toy library offers
something in particular – this year, the most popular ask is bouncy castles, although over
the last couple of months I‘ve also been fielding questions from the public about hire of
exersaucers.
From the information sent in on this year‘s profile forms, here‘s a picture on how many toy
libraries over the country offer bouncy castles, DVD‘s, and cater for special needs within
their libraries:
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
no
50%
yes
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Special Needs
DVD's
Bouncy Castles
Another interesting observation from compiling this year‘s profiles is the age range that
libraries cater for it looks like nearly half our libraries now cater beyond preschool:
Age Ranges Catered For
20%
7%
44%
Age Ranges
0-5
8%
0-8
21%
0-10
0-10+
no reply
19
Ideas for Toys for 5 years to 8 years
Children this age generally seem to like a combination of physical, constructional and
imaginative play:
Klikko
Junior Meccano
K‘Nex
Dolls houses and furniture
Dress up clothes
Board games
Swing ball
Ukelele
Juggling balls
Cash register and play money
Puppet theatre and puppets
Go carts
Plasma cars
Ezyroller
Larger puzzles
Gears sets
Lego sets
Playmobil
Pedal cars
Maxamec
Schleich animals and figurines
Contact Toy Express for prices.
Plasma Car:
Plasma cars for children are a fun ride-on idea for all ages.
No battery needed, not a pedal car, push bike, or
scooter,
just put your feet up and move the handlebars from side
to side.
A Toy Express best seller.
Available in red, purple, blue, green and yellow and pink.
Maxamec Large Set:
Build 65+ objects including a car, plane and tractor.
20
Le Toy Van Daisy Cottage:
Le Toy Van doll family:
Pretty painted cottage with daisy motif.
Opening windows, shutters and door,
decorated interior.
Includes Starter furniture set.
Dolls sold separately.
Poseable dolls with woollen hair.
Le Toy Van Sunshine Stables:
Elastic hinged double stable doors,
detailed internal separations with doors, removable roof creates horse field & improves access for
play, easy to construct.
21
Triang Low Rider Cart.
A cool pedal-powered Go Kart.
Features adjustable seat, hand brake and
forward/neutral gear selector
Ezyroller:
Not a luge, not a bike, not a scooter, the EzyRoller
moves like a snake, without chains or pedals, using
easy right-left leg movements. There are no chains
and no batteries - the EzyRoller moves and turns
silently.
The Amazing Labyrinth Board Game.
Anything can happen in the depths of the Labyrinth
where the walls constantly move, revealing dark unexplored
passages.
Venture down to seek the treasure, but watch out for
lurking traps. Collect all the treasures first and escape from
the Labyrinth to win.
Ravensburg have a wide range of great suitable games.
Playmobil Sets
Numerous themes.
Jet Plane and Heavy
Duty Mobile Crane
seem to be very
popular.
22
Lisa‘s hours are 10am-2pm Monday to Thursday. You can phone 0800 148 699 or email
[email protected]. Please leave a message out if I am not in and I will get back
to you as soon as I can. Please send me an email if you would like to be on the emailing list.
Toy Express acts as an independent broker providing toy libraries with access to a huge range of
quality toys. We offer help and advice in choosing toys, advice on where to get the best value for
money, quotes for your grant applications and a spare parts service. Our goal is to help toy
libraries, not make money. We do need to add on a small margin to keep the service operational. For
all of your toy buying needs, please contact us by email or phone advising your toy library‘s name
and if ordering, delivery and invoice addresses.
Purchasing toys
Many catalogues carry the same products; however the prices can be very different. Toy Express
keeps up with the changes and generally knows where to source toys for you at the best prices.
Once you have made a list of the items you would like to buy, contact Toy Express and we will do
the sourcing, ordering and delivery to your doorstep. If it is better for you to deal direct with a
supplier we will advise you. We aim to have regular specials throughout the year, so look out for
these and try and get your committee to allow you some discretionary buying power so that when
that super deal comes up, you can order it without having to wait for your next committee meeting.
Toy Express has direct access to many wholesalers which means our prices are often well
below retail. We work with many of the toy companies in New Zealand (and some in Australia) to
access high quality toys at reasonable prices for you. We are able to source most major brands.
Toy Express can place orders for you from many suppliers including Modern Teaching Aids and Play
n Learn. We have negotiated some good deals with Every Educaid and Teacher Direct. Please
contact Toy Express for more information before purchasing as some conditions apply.
Quotes
Toy express is happy to do quotes for you. To obtain a quote from us please give a catalogue
reference, page number, code and toy description. There is a form you can download from the Toy
Library Federation of New Zealand website or just email me your list. Please allow at least 7 days
for quotes to be completed. A freight component will be added.
Freight
Some suppliers will only send to Toy Express. We wait until we have a number of orders before
placing a bulk order with the supplier. By doing this we can often get freight free to Toy Express,
or spread the freight between several libraries. We do our best to keep the freight as cheap as
possible for you. Some suppliers send direct to toy libraries and most seem to have reasonable
freight costs. We will only ever charge you what it costs us.
23
Invoices
Lisa Ross, a TLFNZ Board member does all of the invoicing to toy libraries voluntarily, working
around her part time job and family commitments. It is especially busy right now after the Toy
Expo with hundreds of orders and invoices to sort out. Thank you for your patience during this
busy period. When paying into the Toy Express bank account please note the invoice number as a
reference. Contact us with any queries regarding invoices.
Toy Express Billing
There have been questions recently regarding the billing procedures of Toy Express, with
one toy library asking about the 20 days term of trade and why invoices are not due on the
20th of the month like other business suppliers.
Some suppliers ask Toy Express for payment before they will release goods, and for other
suppliers to be paid on time, Toy Express operates on a 20 day term of trade. Toy Express
places only a small margin on toys to enable the best pricing for Toy Libraries, and does
not have large cash reserves. There is a small margin to enable it to cover the costs of
running toy express, ie wages for the toy buyer, stationery etc.
The invoicing and billing for toy express is done by Lisa Ross on a volunteer basis.
Lisa tries to get back to people as soon as she can, but with work and family commitments,
this can sometimes mean that it can take a couple of days.
Normal committee procedure should be that toy purchases are passed at a committee
meeting prior to purchase, to ensure funds are there to buy, so that paying toy express
within 20 days should just be procedure.
If you have any questions or concerns relating to the invoicing side of Toy Express, Lisa is
more than happy to talk to you or send an email to her on [email protected].
24
Sport & Active Movement Toys
Think about hiring Sports Toys  Join in and play with your children—Fun for Everyone
 Some can be used indoors as well as outdoors
 Physical activity a must for children and adults
 Make use of daylight saving
Getting your family into the lifetime fitness habit begins with fun and games that you do
together starting in early childhood!
Encouraging your child to get involved in play activities can have a positive long-term
effect on his/her physical health and psychological well being. Children need to move! Not
just for the sake of their physical selves, but also for social, emotional and cognitive
development. The structure of the brain is determined by movement experiences.
Movement experiences provide the organisational structure of the brain – early childhood
is the prime time for the formation of lifetime patterns. There is a strong correlation
between the time children are most playful and the time when the brain is making the most
connections. Children are active, concrete, experiential learners who acquire information
and knowledge with all of their senses.
Studies have shown that:
 Movement is the young child‘s preferred mode of learning.
 Lessons that are physically experienced have more immediate and longerlasting impact.
 Play is linked to greater creativity and problem solving, improved reading
levels, and higher IQ scores.
What should we do?




Encourage children to be physically active each day
Praise each child for attempting and joining in
Ensure activities are appropriate, achievable and safe
Avoid extending the activity time to the stage where you or the child ceases to
enjoy it.
25





Provide each child with supervision and assistance while attempting an activity.
Play games with children that are fun for both parent and child
Encourage indoor and outdoor play for toddlers and preschoolers
Provide unstructured time for play
Take children to parks and recreational areas.
Main Benefits of Physical Exercise:





Exercises the whole body
Develops balance, co-ordination, movement skills, flexibility
Children learn through observation and imitation
Learn to take turns
Begin to understand concept of warming up the body, playing energetically,
cooling down and stretching
Toy Libraries are an ideal place to find sports toys
 Does your library stock a good variety of sporting equipment?
 How do you promote their value and use to your members?
 What are some of your most popular active movement toys?
 Any tips for good display and storage?
26
Toy Libraries in the News
27
TheToy Library Area at Brayshaw Park in Blenheim to help celebrate
Childrens Day in March this year. A great way to publicise a toy library.
28
Mid Northern Southland Toy Library have launched a mobile
toy library service, which is being well received by the
surrounding communities.
This article appeared in their local paper The Fiordland
Advocate on 5th August 2010.
29
Something to ponder upon….
Laughter is great for you!
Did you know:
 Laughter activates the positive ‗will to live‘ chemistry in
your body, and increases your capacity to fight disease.
 Laughing relaxes the body and reduces problems associated with high blood
pressure, strokes, arthritis, and ulcers.
 The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than
any cough, sniffle, or sneeze.
 It can be a domino effect of joy and amusement and the
good feeling that we get when we laugh can remain with us
as an internal experience even after the laughter subsides.
 Share your news with the rest of us. Send your photos and
articles into the Office for inclusion.
 Get your Committee to complete the ―Warrant of Fitness‖ and
Annual Survey and enter the draw for a $75 toy express
voucher.
 Volunteer your Library as a venue for a Regional.
 Check the website and forum regularly.
 Start saving for Conference 2012 in Wellington.
 Keep the Office informed of any changes of contact details
30
Housekeeping
Have you sent in your Annual Return to the Charities Commission?
If your library has registered with the Charities Commission then you need to send in your Annual Return
within 3 months of your AGM. This return includes your financial report, along with any changes in
Committee. If you have change of Officers during the year, you should also file the changes.
Insurance:
Thank you to all the 175 Toy Libraries that have supported the Federation through the Insurance Scheme.
We are pleased we could help many toy libraries save money and make insurance cover simple to arrange.
Toy Libraries can join the scheme at any time. Please contact the office on 0800-148-697 if you have any
queries.
Toy Library Bulk Insurance cover runs from 1 August 2010 – 1 August 2011.
Funding Applications & Letters of Support:
Remember to get your Funding Officer to check Fundview for possible funding sources and closing dates.
Most of the main funding providers have their own websites, so bookmark these and check them for closeoff dates. Contact the Office if you would like a letter of support for your funding applications.
Publicity Resources:
We have Publicity Kits, Banners, Tear Drop Flags, High Visibility Vests, and a Video Tape commercial
available from the Office for you to hire for your promotional events. For more details see the Resources
page on our Website or contact the Office.
Stationery:
We still stock a wide variety of stationery, labels, certificates, pens, posters and pamphlets. For more
details see the Resources page on our Website or contact the Office.
Toy Boxes:
Toy Boxes currently available for hire. A great way for small libraries to increase their toy stock. Great way
to have a change of toys to offer to your members! More details check out our website under the Toy
Library Resources pull down menu, or contact the Office.
Forum:
A great way to find out and share information with other toy libraries – access through our website, under
the toy library communication pull down box. Make sure you check it regularly.
Buy-Sell-Exchange:
All libraries, toy repairers & buyers especially, should try using this feature of our website. It‘s easy to put
your own ad onto the site whether it is for a piece you need, or something you no longer need.
Check this section of the webpage regularly to see if there is anything there of interest to your library.
31
NEWSLETTER CIRCULATION LIST
Date Received:
Please read, then circulate;
Name
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
Sign as Read
Date
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
NOTES OF INTEREST
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
32