COLOURFUL and eye-catching toys are often the ones children are drawn to, and Swan Hill Community Toy Library hope those same features can encourage more people through their doors.
Opening for the first time this year this morning from 11am to noon, the Toy Library have unveiled a new logo, aiming to provide a fresh look.
Discounted membership fees were also on off if people signed up within the first two sessions.
Swan Hill Community Toy Library member Lauren Dodgshun designed the updated logo.
“We wanted the logo to be a bit more modern, playful and bright,” she said.
“A little bit more eye-catching when someone walks past it, something that is appealing to both the parents and the kids.”
Fellow Toy Library member Denise Jordan said Ms Dodgshun had put in “an immense amount of work behind the scenes”.
“Being a volunteer-run organisation and not-for-profit, we actually don’t have the funds to have paid someone to design this,” she said.
“Lauren has done an amazing job, with her putting in many hours for over a year to get it looking this fantastic.”
The modernisation didn’t end there for the Toy Library, which was preparing to take the full catalogue of toys online.
Ms Dodgshun said volunteers had been taking stock of what was in the library over the past 18 months.
“Our entire catalogue of toys will be available to see online,” she said.
“You’ll be able to see whether a toy is in the library or if it’s on loan.
“We also have our own website in the works, which should be coming soon.
“We have a fair few members who live a way out of town. I was speaking to one lady that drives in to the Toy Library from an hour away.
“For people like her to be able to see what we have available in the library before she drives in, it makes a big difference.”
The Toy Library’s event hire service will also be hosted online, where some of the larger toys and active play equipment can be hired.
Ms Jordan said the discounted membership prices today and tomorrow were available to new and existing members looking to extend their access to the toys.
“Say someone’s membership doesn’t need to be renewed until August, they can still come in and get the discount,” she said.
“They can renew for another 12 months at the discounted price and that membership will begin from the date their current one ends.”
Ms Dodgshun said the Toy Library offered value for money.
“You are paying for the cost of one good toy, to receive access to all of our toys for a whole year,” she said.
“There’s something for everyone here.
“I’ve got a seven-year-old daughter who still loves coming in here and borrowing out toys. Whether it’s the games, the puzzles, the dollhouses, she still loves it.”
The organisation is hosting a storytime and play session from 10.30am to 11.15am tomorrow morning at Swan Hill Regional Library.
The Toy Library will hold their annual general meeting at Swan Hill Library from 7pm on February 28 for anyone looking to get involved or join the committee.
