Toy Library
More Play. Less Waste.
Where play meets sustainability and community.
Here’s a problem some families know too well: birthdays and holidays bring in new toys. Kids play with them for a while, then get bored. Suddenly, parents are left with piles of toys that take up space and end up in the landfill.
That cycle- buy new, use for a short time, throw away- is not only unsustainable, but it also makes our kids less happy and creative. Surely there must be a better way.
That simple thought turned into something new for our community: The Toy Library.
We have three goals for The Toy Library:
Child Development
Play is the work of the child. When children are creating worlds, making up rules to their own game, negotiating the terms of play with friends, they are practicing the very skills that they will bring with them into their futures. Toys are the tools they use to bring them into the state of flow that is so important for brain development. We tried to choose toys that allow for open-ended play, rather than toys that can only be played with in one way.
Sustainability
We live in the era of Stuff. Most of us (even adults!) are familiar with the phenomenon of experiencing excitement at receiving new toys, and quickly growing disinterested in that toy after a few weeks. We hope to reduce the number of toys that end up in a landfill, and increase the number of times that a toy gets played with before it goes to the landfill.
Community
Everybody wants community, but community doesn’t just happen. Building and living in community in real life takes work. Regular communication, meeting face-to-face, working together to solve problems, and sharing physical space and belongings— these are some of the building blocks of community. If you are looking for one, running and participating in a Toy Library is a great opportunity to join a group of like-minded folks working towards a common purpose.
How does it work?
Check out our hours of operation below.
Visit during our open hours and browse our selection of toys.
Check out up to 2 toys per child.
Set a reminder for 3 weeks from your checkout date and return before that date.
FAQs
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For now, it is free to participate in the lending library. In the future, we may move to an annual membership model in order to make sure that we are able to continue to serve our community well.
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We have toys for all ages - there are open ended toys for 0-5, and puzzles and board games for kids from 6-99!
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It would be helpful, but you don’t have to. If you do decide to clean the toy before returning it, please make a note on the check-out sheet when you return the toy.
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Yes! We welcome gently used toys. However, we can’t accept every toy, so please contact us at toylibrary@clarksburgyard.com to see if your toys would be appropriate for the library.
Upcoming Hours
Toy Library Guidelines
Please make sure all original pieces are returned.
There is a borrowing period of three weeks.
You may check out 2 toys/sets per child at one time.
Please be responsible for any loss or damage costs associated with replacing missing/damaged toys and/or parts.
If you borrow a costume, please launder the cloth parts at home before returning.
Tips For A Successful Toy Library Experience
Designate a special place in your home where toy library toys will live while they are not being played with. This would ideally be a place separate from where the toys you own are kept.
Keep track of toy parts and pieces while playing, and make sure all parts are accounted for when putting the toy away.
Keep toy library toys away from food and beverages.
Set a due date reminder to return your toys on time.
Please remember: these toys are used by families in our community, so take good care of toys while they are in your care so that all may continue to enjoy them.
Get Involved
This Toy Library runs on donations. Your time, toys, and financial donations are all what make this happen!
Ways to Donate
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Volunteers can help with cleaning toys, checking inventory, or opening, closing or manning the library.
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All toys in the library have been generously donated by people in the community. If you have gently used toys that are no longer being loved at your home, please consider donating them tot he library for other children to love.
You can do this by emailing toylibrary@clarksburgyard.com to set up a time to drop off a donation.
Please do not drop toys off at The Clarksburg Yard or Clarksburg Church without prearranging a drop off.
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We use your financial donations to buy cleaning supplies, labels, storate solutions and much more. To donate in any of these capacities, please donate to The Clarksburg Yard.
