An Annual Family Membership costs $50 ($30 with a concession or seniors card) or $20 if you join as a committee member. Every member (unless non-volunteer levy of $50 is paid upon joining)is asked to complete four volunteer shifts per year (one duty shift per school term). A $20 Toy Bond is also required when you first join, which is refundable when you cease being a member or you can elect to donate it to the Toy Library.
If you wish to join the Toy Library, just pop in and see us or click here. If you come in to a session, we'll have a membership form for you to complete and one of our friendly committee members will talk you through the terms and conditions. You can pay your membership on the day and we can have you set up and borrowing in no time! Otherwise, you can sign up online here.
We offer annual memberships and when the time comes to renew your membership, transfer/deposit the annual membership fee to Belgrave South Toy Library Bendigo Bank account with your surname for the reference and let us know by sending us an email info.belgravesouthtoylibrary@gmail.com We'll update your membership details and you'll be good to just keep on enjoying all that sweet toy access.
Here are the details to use internet banking to transfer or direct deposit funds to our bank account with Bendigo Bank:
Belgrave South Toy Library Inc.
BSB: 633 000
Account: 120 942 040
Description: Please ensure you write your full name
For example: Jo Jones is already a member and wants to renew. Jo transfers the $50 membership fee to the Toy Library bank account, using the reference 'Jo Jones'.
Taylor Smith is a new member. After completing the online application form Taylor transfers $70 ($50 membership plus $20 once off toy bond) to the Toy Library account, using the reference 'Taylor Smith'.
The Belgrave South Toy Library is 100% volunteer run. We only open the doors with the support of member volunteers. As part of your membership, you are asked to do four volunteer shifts per year. This generally means signing up to open the Toy Library for a one hour session, once each school term. You can nominate which duty date suits you and you can bring your children along on the day.
If you are unable to volunteer for duty shifts, we have plenty of other ways you can contribute (for example, assisting with safety and stocktake audits, repairing toys, fundraising, or being a member of the Committee of Management). We understand that sometimes it just isn't possible to volunteer, so if that's the case, you can elect to pay an additional $50 on top of your membership fee. Frankly, we'd prefer you volunteer though, so please talk to us about your options.
Click the link: https://belgrave.mibase.com.au/mem/login.php
Log in using the user name and password sent to your email (if you can't remember this, email us at info.belgravesouthtoylibary@gmail.com and we'll provide them)
Click 'Duty Roster'
Allocate your name in the spot that says 'Volunteer' on a date that suits you.
If it is your first duty shift, one of our Committee members will meet you and show you what to do. Mostly, you are on hand to run the open shift and help members borrow and return toys. Some of the tasks you will be asked to complete include:
Opening and closing the toy library (putting out the signs, turning on lights and computer when you arrive, packing everything away and closing up at the end of the shift etc)
Using Mibase (our borrowing system) to loan and return toys for members (we will show you how to do this, and there is a manual you can refer to in the Toy Library).
Counting toys when they are borrowed and again on return
Sometimes a Committee member may be at the shift doing other tasks, and they might ask for your help to:
Add safety stickers or labels to toys/Checking toy quality
Add new toys to the system
Label toys with numbers
We usually check toys and count them out before you borrow them, but if you realise something is missing or damaged please email info.belgravesouthtoylibrary@gmail.com to let us know within 24 hours of borrowing. That way you will not be responsible for replacing any parts.
Members are responsible for the toys they borrow. We understand that sometimes accidents happen, and that some wear and tear of toys is going to occur over time, but if a toy or a piece is lost or broken we may charge you a missing piece fee ($3 per piece) or take your Toy Bond - depending on the damage or missing piece. If the damage is significant, or the missing piece means the toy can't be played with anymore, we may ask you to replace the toy at your cost.
To help keep our toys in good condition for all members, we ask that you:
Look after the toys like you would your own
Keep toys inside when they are not being used
Make sure you check and count all toys before returning
Keep the toys clean/clean the toys before returning
Toys are borrowed out for 2 weeks at a time. You also have the option of renewing the toy for an extra 2 weeks through your member account. However, you can return your toy as soon as your child is finished playing with it.
If you are having trouble finding a time to come into the Toy Library to return a toy, please contact us at info.belgravesouthtoylibrary@gmail.com
Members are also responsible for ensuring their children wear helmets while using bikes, skateboards and scooters. See Helmet Waiver here.
Click the link: https://belgrave.mibase.com.au/mem/login.php
Log in using the user name and password sent to your email (if you can't remember this, email us at info.belgravesouthtoylibary@gmail.com and we'll provide them)
Click 'My Library'
Select the toy you would like to renew and click the blue 'renew' button.
Note: You need to renew your toy BEFORE it becomes overdue.
We are a small toy library, so we don't have a click and collect option or reservations in relation to our general catalogue.
We do have an option to reserve the Junior Party Pack. Members can do this via the membership portal:
Click the link: https://belgrave.mibase.com.au/mem/login.php
Log in using the user name and password sent to your email (if you can't remember this, email us at info.belgravesouthtoylibary@gmail.com and we'll provide them)
Click 'Hire toys'
Search 'Junior Party Pack'
Non members can reserve the party pack by getting in touch at info.belgravesouthtoylibrary@gmail.com
As part of Toy Libraries Australia’s Covid-safe plan approved by public health officials, all members are required to thoroughly clean their toys prior to returning them to the toy library. If you do not clean your toys at home, you will be requested to clean them in the toy library.
Wipe the toy thoroughly with a cloth damp with either a pH neutral detergent (such as diluted dishwashing detergent) or a 2-in-1 cleaner/disinfectant (most multipurpose sprays available at the supermarket)
If using a 2-in-1 multipurpose spray, the solution must be sprayed onto the cloth until it is quite damp. You can use something like an old toothbrush or a cotton bud to get into hard to reach places.
Dry the toy with a tea towel or leave to dry overnight. Please make sure the toy is perfectly dry before returning it to its bag or box. Do not submerge toys in water as they can trap water inside them or in the case of wooden toys, they can get too wet to effectively dry.