Minneapolis Toy Library 2014
Lending toys to reduce waste, foster development, and build community.
Leader
Taryn Tessneer
Location
920 E Lake St Minneapolis, MN 55407
About the project
MAY 2015: WE ARE CURRENTLY FUNDRAISING FOR PHASE 2!
CHECK OUT THE PAGE HERE: https://www.ioby.org/project/minneapolis-toy-library-2015
The Minneapolis Toy Library is a toy lending program for families with children ages birth to 5 years. The library offers an opportunity for families to connect with one another while supporting their child(ren)'s development through play and reducing their impact on the environment. We envision that this project will initialy operate as a volunteer-run, donation-based mobile lending library open to all families in the Minneapolis area.
The Steps
Our goal is to offer a functioning mobile toy lending library by the end of 2014. In the coming months, we will be connecting with community partners to determine regular times and locations where the toy library will be offered. We will be promoting the toy library in the community and online to potential members. In addition to accepting "like new" toy donations, we hope to purchase toys to further increase our selection and to complete our collection for ages birth to 5 years old.
Why we‘re doing it
Many parents feel the need to buy new toys to capture their child's attention and stimulate their development but want to balance this desire with frugality whether out of environmentalism, minimalism, or necessity. Furthermore, young children’s interest wanes quickly with toys, so a lending library is a great way to ensure that toys are getting more use than they would if they stayed with just one family (and parents can forgo the headache of storing unused toys). In addition, toy library volunteers can help parents select toys that are appropriate for their child’s development in order to offer the most engagement and learning.