The Carrickmacross Toy Library is leading the way as it continues to serve as a model toy library facility for others to learn from and replicate.
Earlier this year, the Carrickmacross Toy Library was named the hub of Toy Libraries Ireland as part of a new national movement promoting community toy libraries nationwide.
Though toy libraries are a relatively new concept in Ireland and there are just a handful in existence, the benefits that they yield are far-reaching.
As a result, a new national association representing non-profit community toy libraries is calling on groups and local authorities across the country to set up toy libraries in their local communities. This new initiative was launched by Alan Dillon who is Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with responsibility for the Circular Economy.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Minister Dillon commended the work carried out by those involved in the Carrickmacross Toy Library. He encouraged other groups and local authorities across Cavan and Monaghan to set up toy libraries in their local communities: "For the countless toys that already exist, reuse and sharing models such as toy libraries are pivotal to prevent them from becoming waste and are important steps towards a circular economy. I wish Toy Libraries Ireland every success in developing and raising the profile of toy libraries nationwide."
Find out more about the benefits for joining your local toy library and register to receive a copy of the new ‘Start Your Own Toy Library’ playbook at toylibrariesireland.org.
Carrickmacross Toy Library is located in Carrickmacross Shopping Centre, 13a Main Street, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan. Services include toy borrowing, with over 900 high-quality toys suitable from birth to around age 8; ‘stay and play’; themed play sessions; cloth nappy bank and meet-up; ‘Tiny Tidy Towns’ monthly litter-picking event; a county-wide Facebook freecycle page with over 1,200 members.
The toy library is currently open on Friday mornings, Wednesday afternoons and alternate Saturday afternoons. It welcomes all sections of the community, and its membership also extends to local schools and community groups. Membership starts from less than €3 per month.
