A colourful room of blue, red and white that sports a jungle mural and is lined with shelves stacked with thousands of toys, is every infant’s dream.
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This dream will become a reality on June 4 with the grand reopening of the Orana Toy Library below the Macquarie Regional Library on Talbragar Street.
Since 1976, the non-profit organisation has been lending toys, puzzles and educational equipment to families with children under five years of age. Six months ago it had to evacuate the building because of flooding.
For about two weeks the organisation has been running out of its usual residence, moving back after working out of the Manchester Unity Hall since the floods.
Orana Toy Library treasurer Rebecca Waugh said the variety and amount of toys the organisation had compiled became apparent when they had to evacuate.
“Children can become quite bored with their toys quite quickly so the great incentive of the toy library is you can swap your toys. It can also save on clutter in the home,” she said.
Orana Toy Library volunteer co-ordinator Belinda Tink has used the service for her own family.
“My children feel like it is Christmas every two weeks,” she said.
As well as benefiting local infants the organisation also creates a forum for mothers with young children.
“It is great for mothers to meet other mothers with children the same age,” Ms Tink said.
Membership to the tot library is open to families, playgroups, family day care workers, creches and similar, with children aged 0 to 5 years in Dubbo and surrounding areas for a yearly cost of $50. Members may borrow up to four toys and four puzzles every fortnight.
The toy library operates each Saturday and Tuesday morning between 10am and midday during the school term. More information can be found at www.oranatoylibrary.com.au