Taunton Toy Library
Registered Charity Number 276712
Welcome to the Taunton Toy Library Website.
Anyone looking after children, up to 5 years old, is welcome to join the library. Since 1975 the library has been successfully run by volunteers and funded by grants. For a non-profit making charity, and all of our income is spent on maintaining and improving our large and varied stock, producing our own publicity photographs and general administration costs.
For a number of years we have been based at a local primary school, Archbishop Cranmer School (ABC), Cranmer Road, Taunton. The library is an easy walking distance of the town centre or, if you are driving, ample parking is provided at the school in the area known as the drop-off zone.
The Toy Library provides toys (on a 2 week loan) to members of the public. We were set-up to provide toys for children with learning disabilities but, over the years we have come to provide toys for a wide range of children, including many large and expensive toys that might be awkward to store in many modern houses. As a result children can have the increased pleasure without the parents (and grandparents) having the pain of working out what to do with the toys once their children have stopped playing with them
Our toys are updated regularly to ensure that your experience is always a good one
We are always looking for new volunteers to help run the library or work on the board and would love to hear from you if you are interested
We have a very wide range of toys including:
- Activity Toys - slides, trampolines, trikes and ride-ons etc.
- Creativity Toys - dressing up, story bags etc.
- Games -
- Baby Equipment - highchair, travel cot, collapsible stair gate, double buggy, etc
In 2003 the committee successfully applied for a lottery "Awards for all" grant to update our stock of sensory visual and physical interaction toys for children with special needs. These cost one pound each to loan an adult supervision is advised as they are not toys.
You will be amazed at how low our prices are!!
In order to borrow our toys you first need to be a member. In order to join you need to bring two forms of identity:
- one photo ID
- one ID showing your home address (e.g. a bill)
Membership runs from September to September, following the school year.
Membership details are kept confidential and are not passed on to any third parties.
You can borrow maximum of 5 of our toys at any one time for a two week period, which gives your children plenty of time to get some real use out of them. Then, when the buzz has worn off, you give it back to us and it won't end up cluttering your house forever and a day. Of course if they still love it, the loan period can be extended at the discretion of the librarian, just ask for details when you drop in.
If for any reason the toy library is non-operational, you will not be penalised for overdue items.
It is a condition of membership that all items borrowed are returned on time. If, however, items are late being returned a fee of £1 per week may be levied. No further toys may be borrowed until overdue items are returned and the fee paid
| Prices for 2007/2008 | |
|---|---|
| Category | Price |
| Annual Membership | £5 |
| Borrow a Toy or Baby Equipment (2 weeks) | 50 pence |
| Borrow a Lottery Funded Toy | £1 |
| Charge for late return (per toy per week) | £1 |
| Party Pack | £12 |
| Baby Pack | £7.50 |
The toy library is open every Tuesday and Friday term time only. Should the toy library be closed for any reason then a notice will be placed on the door.
Note that Party Packs are available all year long
We are located on the grounds of Archbishop Cranmer Primary school, in our own building next to the car park.
There is parking for pick-up and drop-off and we are within easy walking distance of the town centre.
The map below shows exactly where we are and you can click on the links for directions or a larger map
View Larger Map
Party Packs are available all year long!
For children's parties you can hire our very popular PARTY PACK, which has over 20 activity toys for you to choose from. This will more than fill the boot of your car! The charge is only £12 (and £15 for non-members) to hire and early booking is recommended. Also available is a baby pack (10 activity toys) for £7.50
We are located on the grounds of Archbishop Cranmer Primary school so come and visit us.
or
Phone us on the following numbers:
Librarian - 01823 270307
Chairperson - 01823 451207
or email our
Somerset Early Years Play and Childcare ServiceThis site contains a range of useful information for parents and carers such as: Children's Centres, Somerset Children's Information Service, Toy Libraries, Foundation Stage, Choosing Childcare and Tax Credits.
Taunton LibraryThis site gives details of the Taunton library, with its wealth of books, audio books, CDs, DVDs and computer facilities.
Somerset Children's Information ServiceThis site contains a range of useful information for parents and carers such as: A Childcare search, Local Leisure Information , Childcare advice and training courses in childcare.
National Association of Toy Libraries
Taunton Deane Morris Men
Our thanks to Taunton Deane Morris Men for choosing us as their charity during their Christmas tour of the town. We had a great time, despite the cold. Visit their website
Somerset County Gazette
Our thanks to the Gannet Foundation for their charitable donation in November 2007 allowing us to buy new toys, and to the Somerset County Gazette for invaluable publicity in the winter months of 2007. This picture is shown with their kind permission
National Lottery
Thanks to the Lottery organisation "Awards for All" for their charitable donation to the Toy Library in 2005.