About Us

The Frankston Toy Library is an invaluable community service that has been servicing young families in Frankston for more than 30 years. It provides families, community groups and organisations that work with children an array of quality toys, games, activities and equipment for a minimal annual fee. With over 500 members we are the largest service of our kind in Australia. We are passionate about providing our members with an excellent service and we welcome your feedback and suggestions.
     
Our Mission:   Our Brochure:
To provide the community with quality resources that enable learning and development through play and positive engagement with others.  







Hearing Together Mornington Peninsula
   
The Frankston Toy Library is a proud supporter of 'Hear Together Mornington Peninsula' which is support group for parents that have a children with a hearing impairment.
You can follow the group on Facebook or email HearTogether@hotmail.com. Click here for the promotional flyer. Check their Facebook page for more info!

We are also proud to provide a Community Couch for mums groups and other groups to meet on. If you don't have a mums group or a support group for a difficulty or disability your family is coping with, please let us know as we would love to help you find one. Our community couch is proudly supported by Gloria Jeans in Frankston. For more information on our Community Couch, please email info@frankstontoylibrary.org.au

We have a literacy program to encourage parents to read to their children. The program is called ‘Read Together’ and members are allowed to borrow individual books as part of their membership with Frankston Toy Library. We happily accept donations, please contact the Frankston Toy Library for more information.

We are currently leading a community campaign in the prevention of domestic violence in our community. The initiative is known as Sisterhood Frankston & Mornington Peninsula and can be followed on Facebook ‘Sisterhood FMP’

The Frankston Toy Library is proud to announce that it has recently developed a special needs section. Our aim is to make much needed toys and resources readily available for parents of children with a disability. We understand the financial and emotional impact this can have on your family and we want to make our resource section available to everyone. This new department will be made possible with the financial support received from Councillor Brian Cunial and the Frankston City Council, Bendigo Bank and the Frankston Lions Club. We are seeking further donations to expand the project which is set to include a large range of toys for children with special needs such as autism, asperger's, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, blindness and down syndrome. If you are interested in assisting with this project, please email president@frankstontoylibrary.org.au
 
   
Our History:  
The Frankston Toy Library was established in May 1977 in the living room of founder Bev Le Bas.  

It remained there for 18 months and membership quickly grew to 120 families.

Late 1978 the Karingal Uniting Church allowed the group to use its facilities as Bev was away for a significant period of time. During this time the toy library was only open for two hours per week and as a result membership halved.

Another move was to Campbell Street Community House where sole access was given to two small rooms. This was later reduced to one room used for display and another available during sessions.

In late August 1985, the Frankston Toy Library relocated to the Mechanics Hall. During 1986-7, membership had grown to almost 200 families and groups.

In 1988 the first funding grant was received from the Frankston City Council. Memberships quickly grew to around 300 families and groups. This was also the first year of the annual Teddy Bears' Picnic.

In 1989 additional space at the Mechanics Hall was temporarily made available to the Frankston Toy Library to reduce crowding. Over time, extra permanent space was added to cope with the 400 families and groups using the service.

In May 1995 the new premises at the Frankston Arts Centre was officially opened. The local Lions Clubs raised $50,000 for the 'Cultural Centre Appeal' and gained naming rights to the toy library building in Playne Street Frankston.

By the end of 1995, membership rose to 570, but due to an extended closed period during the move, severe crowding and limited hours, membership fell during 1996. Opening hours were soon dramatically increased for 1997 and membership numbers rose again. By the end of 2009, there were over 500 families and groups.

By 2010 there were three staff members, 15 volunteers and around 400 members.

In 2011 the logo was revisited and a new fresh design that reflected family, growth and play was developed.

In February 2012 the Frankston Toy Library moved into its biggest premises yet at the Ebdale Community Hub and Learning Centre in Ebdale Street, Frankston.

Website by PC HEART