Membership information

Welcome and thank you for joining our toy library community!

We’re so glad your family has joined us. We hope you have lots of fun playing together, and that your children enjoy learning and growing through play.

Little Buddies is a not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer committee.

Our Session Coordinators are here to help each session run smoothly. If you need help choosing toys, have a suggestion, or would like support, please speak with a Session Coordinator.

Getting started

  • Borrow up to your membership limit (2, 4 or 6 toys at a time)

  • Keep toys for 2 weeks

  • Return toys to the same branch

  • Check all pieces before you leave and when you return

  • Clean toys before returning

Borrowing and returning toys

Before you take toys home

Please check each toy before you leave the library. Make sure all pieces are there and the box or container is in good condition.

If anything is missing, broken, or damaged, you need to report it within 24 hours of borrowing. If an issue is found after the toy is returned, a Session Coordinator will contact you to discuss the fine.

To report an issue, call your branch or email admin@littlebuddiestoylibrary.com.au.

Renewing toys

Most toys can be renewed for up to 2 more weeks online or over the phone. Some high-demand toys cannot be renewed.

Returning toys

Please follow these steps when returning toys

  • Place your toys on the returns desk.

  • Do not put toys straight back on the shelves, as they need to be checked first.

  • A volunteer will record your member number and toy numbers.

  • The toys will be checked for cleanliness and all pieces counted.

  • While this is happening, you can start browsing for new toys.

A few important reminders

  • Please clean toys before returning them.

  • Please count all pieces before returning toys.

  • You can return toys for a friend, but you cannot borrow on their behalf.

  • Late returns incur a fee.

  • Membership fees are non-refundable.

Toy care and safety

Children should always be properly supervised while using borrowed toys.

Please make sure the toys you borrow are suitable for your child’s age and stage. Toys with small parts should not be accessible to children under 3 years old because they may be a choking hazard.

Please keep toys in a secure place and do not leave them outside or exposed to weather.

If you borrow ride-on or active toys, you are responsible for providing any helmets or other safety equipment your child needs. Little Buddies Toy Library does not provide helmets or safety equipment.

Member login

After joining, you will receive a welcome email with your login details and a unique password. We recommend logging in and changing your password.

In the member portal, you can:

  • See which toys you currently have on loan

  • Renew toys

  • Browse toy pictures

  • Book volunteer sessions

Volunteer with Little Buddies

Little Buddies Toy Library is run by volunteers, and member support helps our sessions run smoothly.

Benefits of volunteering include:

  • Meeting other members

  • Helping support a local community group

  • Bringing your children along to play and interact with others

  • Seeing a wider range of toys

  • Borrowing 1 extra toy at the end of your session

Saturday sessions are usually very busy, so the play opportunity may be more limited then.

You can sign up to volunteer through your member page or by speaking with a Session Coordinator.

Volunteer cash back

Some memberships include a volunteer cashback option. If you choose this option, you can volunteer and receive a cash payment as a thank you. This can help reduce the overall cost of your membership.

Volunteer sessions are about 2 hours long and can be booked through your member page.

Party hire

Party bookings are available for 6-month and 12-month members and can be collected from the Werribee branch.

Members have access to discounted party hire rates.

To reserve toys, a $5 reservation fee per toy applies. This fee is non-refundable within 14 days of the booking date.

Members can borrow up to 4 extra toys for a party in addition to their usual borrowing allowance, at a cost of $5 per extra toy.

Party hire is also available to the wider community, so bookings are recommended early.

To book and learn more visit our party hire page

Fines

We know accidents happen. As a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers, we may need to charge for missing pieces or damaged toys so we can keep our collection in good condition for all families.

Late returns $2 per week
Toys not cleaned $2 per toy
Missing pieces $5 per piece Refundable if the piece is later returned
Damage or marking $5 each instance
Lost plastic snap-lock bag $1
Lost or damaged puzzle bag $3
Damaged container or lid $5 small, $10 medium, $15 large

Disclaimer

Toys are borrowed at your own risk. Little Buddies Toy Library is not responsible for any injury, damage, or loss connected with borrowing or using items.

If you have any questions please send us an email admin@littlebuddiestoylibrary.com.au or speak to one of our toy library coordinators in our branches.