Hertford Toy Library is based in Hertford Selections Children’s Centre.  It runs every Monday morning 9:15am-11:15am (unless otherwise specified).

It is a great place to come and ‘Stay and Play’ where you and your children can meet others in a friendly atmosphere.  Also, you can choose some toys and take them home, then bring them back again in a couple of weeks and choose some more!

Hertford Toy Library is a non-profit making charity organisation run by volunteers.  It has been open since 1986 and has the capacity for a maximum of 100 families as members.  It has proved so popular that membership is limited to families within the Hertford area and surrounding villages.

This website is intended to help you to understand how our Toy Library works.  It is always difficult to take everything in on the first visit!  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask any of the committee members.

Membership

Membership of Hertford Toy Library costs £4.50 per family, per year (payable in April).  Rates are pro-rata so if you join after April, the fee will be reduced.  If you are receiving income support or your child has special needs you are not required to pay this fee.

Once you have joined the Toy Library you will be issued with a membership card.  It is important that you bring this card with you to the Toy Library sessions.

Hertford Toy Library charges 50p per family per session to ‘Stay and Play’ from 9:15am-11:15am on a Monday morning.

‘Stay and Play’

Families can come on a Monday morning and ‘Stay and Play’ for a two hour session.  All of the large toys (indicated by an oblong, yellow sticker) are available for play throughout the session.  These toys are stored in the cupboards beneath the windows.

The smaller, carpeted room is kept as a quieter room and this is where many people with babies like to play.

On fine days we also have access to the Children’s Centre garden and bikes and ride-ons etc. can be taken out to play outside.

We also offer refreshments for you and your children at a very reasonable price.

Borrowing Toys

At the end of the session, three more large cupboards will be opened for people to access our large selection of toys.  These cupboards contain toys which have many parts and as such we keep them in cupboards until they are borrowed and taken home.  They are not available for play during the session as too many pieces become mixed up.  By keeping these toys for loan-only it ensures that they stay in good condition.

All toys: those with lots of pieces and the large ‘Stay and Play’ toys can be borrowed by members.

Each member is allowed to borrow FOUR items.

When you have chosen the items you wish to borrow please take them to the checking-out desk.  When returning the toys please take them to the checking-in desk where they will be checked and the information recorded by the computer system.

Please make sure that you clean all toys before you return them to the Toy Library.  In this way we can easily ensure that our toys remain in excellent condition.

If you lose a piece of toy or something is broken please inform a committee member when checking the toy back in.  We understand that children can sometimes be be very ‘enthusiastic’ in their play.  Also, if at a later date, you find a piece of Toy Library toy under the sofa or behind a radiator, please return it!

Items cost 50p for each 2 weeks hire.  If you can’t return a toy when it is due back, please call Hertford Toy Library on 07939 987320 and leave a message.  Otherwise, late returns are charged at 30p per week per item.

Toy Catalogue

Toy catalogues depicting all our toys, videos and jigsaws are available to look at during Toy Library sessions.  They can be found at the checking-in desk or ask a member of the committee.

Notice-Board

We have a notice-board in the Children’s Centre which is specifically for Hertford Toy Library.  Please look out for information about new toys, parties etc.

Party Toys

Please ask a committee member for information about party toys, which can be hired by members for an additional fee.

Location