Richmond Toy Library Inc. (RTL) was incorporated in 1987 by a group of parents who wanted to assist families with providing their children with a changing selection of toys for a minimum financial outlay.
 

The RTL is a not-for-profit organisation and has been established, developed and operated by volunteers. It’s managed by a committee of members, elected annually by members at the Annual General Meeting. Our friendly co-ordinators help members get the most out of our collection, assisting them with toy selections. They’re also regularly introducing new toys to the range.
 

At the Toy Library, we believe in the positive impact that belonging to a community has on families. Our purpose is to work alongside and support children, families and communities to develop, grow and thrive together through play. It can be challenging, but it’s always exciting!

 

We’re dedicated to:

• Providing children with opportunities to learn and develop through play

• Encouraging children, parents and other adults to appreciate the benefits of play

• Delivering services that are people-oriented

• Promoting creativity and raising aspirations

• Bringing people together as a community for learning and support.

 

Opening Hours

 

Basement Richmond Library 415 Church St, Richmond

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• Saturday 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

• Tuesday 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

• Wednesday 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

 

Our Mission Statement

To Enable Diverse Play And Learning For Young Children That’s Affordable For Families.

Our vision of the future is that all pre-school-aged children have an equal opportunity to experience the Joy of Play and learn from a variety of toys. We’re helping to make this a reality with our commitment:

• To conduct toy libraries in the municipality of Richmond

• To make available for loan: a variety of quality toys to stimulate young children through play

• To distribute valuable information and promote discussions on aspects of play and its relationship to the development of children.

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Our Commitment to Child Safety

and Wellbeing  

Richmond Toy Library is committed to promoting and protecting the best interests of children involved in its service, and to providing a child-safe and child-friendly environment for all children and young people who engage with the organisation. Richmond Toy Library is committed to complying with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and Victorian State child safety standards to help protect children and young people from harm.

 

Here is our full Child Safety Policy and Procedures. 

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All Richmond Toy Library's staff and volunteers are required to sign our Code of Conduct.

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Meet Us

It’s a bit of a cliché saying people are our greatest asset, but it’s really true. It’s our committee members, staff members and volunteers who enable the Toy Library to deliver its service to our community.

 

Our Committee

The Richmond Toy Library Committee consists of members, parents and volunteers who use or have used our services – while other members support our work and volunteer specific skills. The committee is responsible for applying for grants, fundraising, toy purchasing and other tasks that keep our toy library running.We’re always looking for more people to join our committee. So if you’d like to become a part of our community, find out more by contacting us by email or talking to our Toy Coordinator.

 

Our Staff

Dhwani

Being a mum to a four year old has opened up various career avenues, being a toy library coordinator was the sanest one, among others such as Archeologist specialising in under the bed and in the closet digging or Negotiator for anywhere anytime tantrums and meltdowns. I have started working with the Richmond Toy Library since February 2020, however, many of you must have seen me around for some time now, as I have been volunteering at the toy library since June 2019. I hope to make your experience with the toy library seamless and enjoyable.

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Denise

Hi, is Denise here! Or you can call me Oil Lamp.

 

I first joined Richmond Toy Library as a member about 10 years ago. My children have enjoyed and benefited greatly from playing with the toys we have at RTL. 

 

I officially join the co-ordinator team in May 2021 and I trust that many of you have seen me during one of your visits.

I get overwhelmed with the choices we have these days when it comes to toy. Kids (and us parents) are so lucky to be blessed with such wide variety of options. I acknowledge the many benefits "play" bring to a child's development and growth.

 

I hope you enjoy our services and I am grateful to play a small part in your children's childhood.

 

I am currently completing my Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary) with the University of Melbourne. I hope to host some small play sessions for RTL later in the year. Until then... Keep Playing! Explore. Create. Play.

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Swarnima

Hello everyone, my name is Swarnima. By profession I am a lawyer back in India. I grew up in a joint family and I really enjoy playing with kids and personally really enjoy helping people and giving them love. After migrating Australia I started exploring what to do and I introduced volunteering work, and came across the Toy Library which really caught my attention as playing with kids gives my day more worth. For me kids are about laughter, playing, new creativity and no boundaries. Their inventory power is always unbelievable and extraordinary, which helps me to learn something every day. Come and say hello next time you are in on a Saturday.

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Anu

Hey there,

 

I’m Anu Vairavan, a finance and business enthusiast by profession and an extroverted and impulsive person by nature. Right from letting the inner child in me scream every time I visit a toy store or choosing to play board games with my cousins over going to a fancy café, I identified myself to be my happiest self when I see kids and toys. Richmond toy library is an existing entity of my escape place/ Saturday getaway which makes me laugh and feel warm everytime a kid negotiates with the parent for toys. I’m fairly new to the city and the library, but have already fallen in love with both :’)

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Yuri

Hello, my name is Yuri, your new coordinator at Richmond Toy Library. I am a mother of a 1-year-old boy who likes playing with toys. I was getting toys almost every week and when toys started taking over my house, I found the Richmond Toy Library. At first, I came here for my son, but now I love it here more. So I am very happy to join the team.

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I moved to Australia from Japan and taught Japanese at a language school in Melbourne for 3 years. Learning is great stimulation for children, and toys help with learning and growing. I would like to assist you with selecting toys that you need. Looking forward to talking to you!

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Urvashi

I am Urvashi, I would describe myself as an honest person who doesn’t believe in misleading other people and try to be fair in everything I do. I am hard working and passionate about my work.

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My most valuable trait is that I am a people person who enjoys meeting new individuals and learn about them. I am a team player. It’s always helpful when you have someone in the team whom you can rely on to make customer feel comfortable and emotionally resourceful. I pride myself on having such traits.

 

Apart from being a hardworking professional I am also a home maker, a loving mother and an awesome wife.

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Our Volunteers

Volunteers are the lifeblood of a successful not-for-profit organisation. They embody the spirit of our organisation and its place in the community. Whether it’s just for a few hours for a short period of time or a long-term commitment, our volunteers are valued by staff across the Toy Library. And more are always needed, so if you have a little or a lot of time to spare, please talk to a member of the team.
We greatly appreciate all help!

 

Contact Us

Phone:
(+61) 412 287 914

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Email:
info@rtl.org.au

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Postal Address:
PO Box 126, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia

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Address:
Basement, Richmond Library – 415 Church St, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia
(next to Maternal Child Health Center corner Church and Charlotte Streets)