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TOY LIBRARY FEDERATION OF NEW ZEALAND

VISION STATEMENT

The Toy Library Federation of New Zealand acts as an adviser to new and existing toy libraries, offering advice on toy selection, toy maintenance, and all aspects of running a toy library.

Membership is open to anyone interested in not for profit Toy Libraries.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Toy Library Federation of New Zealand actively promotes play, as being essential to optimal educational, physical, psychological, social and cultural development of the child.

HISTORY
Internationally it is not known exactly when and where the first Toy Library was established. It is known however, that a toy lending library, known as Toy Loan, was founded in Los Angeles, in 1935, and is still operating today.

Nationally, in 1972 Miss Gillian Gorick, a physiotherapist from Hamilton took up the idea of a Toy Library with the Crippled Children Society. Planning began, and in 1974 Hamilton became the first centre in New Zealand to have a Toy Library.

Since then others have taken up the challenge, and there are now over 220 toy libraries spread between KeriKeri and Invercargill.

Rotorua was the venue for a National Conference in 1980. There it was decided that the New Zealand Toy Library Association should be set up. In 1981 this became a reality, with the formation of the "Toy Library Federation of New Zealand".

THE PURPOSE
The Toy Library Federation of New Zealand is a National body that most toy libraries belong to. The Toy Library Federation of New Zealand exists to:

Encourage and develop not for profit toy libraries.

Support the high standard of service of toy libraries within New Zealand.

Co-ordinate toy library activities such as seminars and conferences, to liaise with toy libraries through regular newsletters.

Encourage safe use of toys and educational aids.

Foster co-operation between existing libraries.

Gain recognition for toy libraries as a resource catering for the needs of the family.

THE CONCEPT
A place where well designed, safe and educational toys can be borrowed on a regular basis at minimal cost.

A place where there is access to a large range of quality toys.

A place with the opportunity to interact with other families.

A place which provides a chance to use toys that match the stages of a child's development.