Toy Library opens at Barkly Square

IT’S all fun and games at the Ballarat Toy Library’s new location, opened for the first-time earlier this week.

From 10am to 12pm every Tuesday and Sunday, parents, educators and beyond are welcome to become members, borrowing some of the thousands of toys available for children six months to eight years.

Sally Tuck said the volunteer run organisation has been looking for a space to relocate to since November 2017, so to find a home at Barkly Square was fantastic.

“When they said, ‘come and have a look at this space,’ we were like, could it really happen? Could we actually have a home? They were wanting us, it was just so amazing,” she said.

“The more they thought about it, they could see the beautiful symmetry between us bringing children on site and all of us working as a team here, BGT and all the other tenants, and making the place safer and more inviting for children.”

Debby Webb recently became a member, bringing her one-year old son.

“The library is great. He loves his toys. It’s good to mix them up because they get over the toys so fast,” she said. “It’s a good space, really clear where everything is.”

During the teething period, families of the library are receiving one large, tough carry bag to help them transport their borrowed items.

The Ballarat Toy Library is located upstairs at Barkly Square, 25 to 39 Barkly Street, Ballarat East. Parking is available via Prince Street, with building access via the ramp.