Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a membership cost?
12 month Single membership (4 toys at any one time): $45 (Concession: $35)
12 month Family membership (6 toys at any one time): $60 (Concession: $50)
12 month Day Care membership (6 toys at any one time): $160 (No duty, no concession
available)
12 month Day Care membership (6 toys at any one time): $80 (2 duties per year, no
concession)
6 month Single membership (4 toys at any one time): $30 (Concession: $25)
6 month Family membership (6 toys at any one time): $40 (Concession: $35)
3 month Single membership (4 toys at any one time): $15
3 month Family membership (6 toys at any one time): $20
New parent special - Join before your first child is 6 months of age, pay a 6 month membership and you will receive a bonus 6 months free!
How do I renew my membership?
Here are the details to use internet banking to transfer funds to our Toy Library account:
Surf Coast Toy Library
Commonwealth Bank
BSB: 063 860
Account: 1006 4272
Description: Please ensure you write members Full Name and Membership type
For example:
Laura Lady has signed up for 12 month Single membership (4 toys at any one time): $45
Her reference will be Single12 Laura Lady.
In this example 'single' stating the type of membership of how many toys can be borrowed
and '12' stating the length of membership followed by 'full name' of the member registering.
Why do I have to volunteer?
The Surf Coast Toy Library is a not-for-profit organisation and can only run with the support of member volunteers. To keep our membership cost low, members are required to volunteer in the toy library for a minimum of two sessions a year or contribute in other ways (e.g. participating in stock-take or being a member of the committee). You can nominate which duty date suits you and bring your child/ren along on the day. Our volunteer policy can be found here.
Please note that it is a Victorian Government directive that anyone wishing to volunteer/work at the toy library must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Upon arrival to your volunteer duty, simply show the session coordinator evidence of vaccination.
How do I put my name on the Duty Roster?
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Click the link: https://surfcoast.mibase.com.au/mem/login.php
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Log in (if you can’t remember your login details email us at surfcoasttoylibrary@gmail.com and we will provide you with your login details)
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Click 'Duty Roster'
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Allocate your name in the spot that says 'Volunteer' on a date that suits you. (Please don't select 'Coordinator' as a committee member needs to fill this spot)
What if part of the toy is missing or damaged?
Once you have borrowed a toy, we ask that you check that all the pieces are included in your bag (and all parts are in good condition). If something is missing or damaged please email surfcoasttoylibrary@gmail.com to let us know within 24 hours of borrowing. That way you will not be responsible for replacing any parts.
I have lost or broken a toy. What do I do?
Members are responsible for the toys that they borrow. We understand that sometimes
accidents happen, however if a toy or piece is lost or broken, we require you to replace it.
To help keep our toys in tip top shape we ask that you:
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Look after our toys like they are your own
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Keep all toys inside when they are not being used
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Make sure all items are accounted for before returning
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Clean the toys
How long can I keep a toy?
Toys are borrowed out for 2 weeks at a time. You also have the option of renewing the toy for an extra 2 weeks through your member account. However, you can return your toy as soon as your child is finished playing with it. We do have 'Gold Star' toys. These are toys that are brand new. These toys cannot be renewed as we want as many mini members as possible to get a chance to borrow them.
If you are having trouble finding a time to come into the Toy Library to return a toy, please contact us at surfcoasttoylibrary@gmail.com
Members are also responsible for ensuring their children wear helmets while using bikes, skateboards and scooters. See Helmet Waiver here.
How do I renew a toy?
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Click the link: https://surfcoast.mibase.com.au/mem/login.php
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Log in (if you can’t remember your login details email us at surfcoasttoylibrary@gmail.com and we will provide you with your login details)
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Click 'My Library'
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Select the toy you would like to renew and click the blue 'renew' button.
Can I reserve a toy or use 'Click and Collect'?
Unfortunately as we are only a small toy library, we don't have the capabilities to offer these services.
Adding additional names to membership within same household
If someone in your household is not listed as part of your membership and intends to visit the toy library, please request via email to have their name added to your account. You can check whose names are listed on your membership by logging in to your MiBase account.
Do I need to clean the toys?
As part of Toy Libraries Australia’s Covid-safe plan approved by public health officials, all members are required to thoroughly clean their toys prior to returning them to the toy library. If you do not clean your toys at home, you will be requested to clean them in the toy library.
How to clean
Wipe the toy thoroughly with a cloth damp with either a pH neutral detergent (such as diluted dishwashing detergent) or a 2-in-1 cleaner/disinfectant (most multipurpose sprays available at the supermarket).
If using a 2-in-1 multipurpose spray, the solution must be sprayed onto the cloth until it is quite damp. You can use something like an old toothbrush or a cotton bud to get into hard to reach places.
Dry the toy with a tea towel or leave to dry overnight. Please make sure the toy is perfectly dry before returning it to its bag or box. Do not submerge toys in water as they can trap water inside them or in the case of wooden toys, they can get too wet to effectively dry.
Special tips
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Baby Rattles – Do not to immerse rattles in water as they collect water which can lead to harmful bacteria developing. Wipe the surface with a cloth.
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Wooden Toys and Train Sets – Wipe over. Allow time to thoroughly dry. These toys should not be immersed or soaked.
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Duplo/Lego – Wash well with hot soapy water and a toothbrush. Rinse and leave to drain overnight.
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Bath toys – Please wash after using in the bath and ensure no water remains trapped in the toy.
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Outdoor/Sandpit Toys – These must be cleaned well remembering that the next member may wish to use it inside. Remove all sand and dirt and clean well with hot soapy water.
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Board Games and Cardboard Puzzles – Paper-based materials, such as puzzles and games, are not considered a high risk for transmission and do not need additional cleaning or disinfection procedures. Please clean counters and other plastic parts of a game.
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Fabric items (Dress-ups/Puppets/Dolls Bedding/Infant Soft Toys) – Hand wash or gentle machine wash with laundry detergent and hang to thoroughly line dry. Fabric items that cannot be cleaned in this way may be wiped over with a damp cloth soaked in neutral detergent.
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Bikes, scooters and other ride-ons – These must be washed, keeping in mind that the next member may wish to use them inside.
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Toy storage bags and boxes – Wipe handles and all areas that have been touched, ensuring everything is dry before placing toys back in them.
If anyone in your family has been unwell (e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea, Covid-19, respiratory infection) please contact the toy library prior to returning the toy for further advice.
