Nor'West News: September 29, 2022

Thursday September 29 2022 3
Toy library searching for a new librarian
• By Natalie Pham
A JOB opportunity for toy-lovers
is now available at a library in
Shirley, but with a catch.
The hunt for a toy librarian
at the Shirley Toy Library has
begun after its longest librarian
resigned this year.
Said president Rachel Seddon:
“It’s a cool job because you get to
play with toys all day.”
However, the opening hours
are “a little bit odd”.
At the moment, this not-forprofit
library only opens twice
a week – Wednesday afternoon
and Saturday morning.
While committee members
want to open the library more
often, limited funding and
grants have stopped them from
doing so.
As most of the grants are
spent on acquiring new toys,
the library is left with little to no
money.
This also restricts them from
advertising to attract more
members.
“We tend to make a little loss
every year. We rely on grants,
donations, and membership fees
to keep us afloat,” Seddon said.
The library will be looking into
increasing its hours once there
are more members on board.
It used be the biggest toy
library in the country with
more than 100 members until
a decrease in membership in
recent years.
It currently has 62 members,
with 32 full members and 28
duty members.
A full membership costs
$120 per year, whereas a duty
membership costs $40. As duty
members pay less fees, they are
required to complete four duties
during their membership year,
including rostering at the library
and fundraising.
However memberships do not
cover the additional rental fees
ranging from 50 cents to $5,
depending on the toys.
Members can borrow up to 10
toys at a time, with a collection
of 1000 toys catering from
newborn to seven years old.
“While the full membership
gives us more money, it also
makes the finding of a new
librarian more important,”
Seddon said.
She joined the library as a
duty member in 2018 before
getting more involved with the
committee a year later.
As a mother of two, Seddon
knows how quickly a child can
grow out of a toy.
“So the library works very well.
And it’s very good for reducing
VACANCY:
Shirley Toy
Library is on
a hunt for
a new toy
librarian to
look after its
collection of
almost 1000
toys, catering
from
newborn to
seven years
old.
and recycling toys because
everyone is sharing toys,” she
said.
The memories her two
children have made with these
toys are what she likes most
about volunteering at the library.
Seddon recommended people
get involved with a toy library,
particularly new mothers or
parents.
Dr. LALY SAMUEL
INDEPENDENT
CitY CoUnCiLLor, CoMMUnitY
boArD - WAiMAiri WArD
Council
Community board
Conceived and Originally
Directed by JOHN‐MICHAEL TEBELAK
MUSIC AND NEW LYRICS BY STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
Originally Produced on the New York Stage by
EDGAR LANSBURY / STUART DUNCAN / JOSEPH BERUH
Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia).
All performance materials supplied by Hal Leonard Australia.
6 – 15 OCTOBER 2022
VENUE: THE DRAMA THEATRE, RANGI RURU SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH
TO BOOK PHONE: (03) 338 4699 OR VISIT:
WWW.RICCARTONPLAYERS.CO.NZ
• No more rate increase
• Save our environment
• Community’s voice
matters
• Long term local
resident
• Multi-cultural
background
Email: lalysamuel22@gmail.com
Mob: 021 0234 4325
Authorised by Dr Laly Samuel,
275A Avonhead Road, Christchurch 8042
7th, 8th & 9th Oct
1 day admission: $5.00 | 3 day admission: $10.00
www.canterburybranchvintagecarclub.org.nz
At Bishopdale Hearing, a hearing device
consultation is a friendly, open and
collaborative experience - not a sales pitch.
Bradi, your audiologist, is completely
independent and offers ALL available
hearing devices to suit your lifestyle
and budget.
Your hearing aids should be as unique
as you are.
Experience the difference
by supporting local!
Services:
• Diagnostic Hearing Tests
• Hearing Aid Fittings
• Earwax Removals
• Custom Ear Plugs
• Tinnitus Consultations
Online
bookings
now
available
6/333 Harewood Road, Bishopdale www.bishopdalehearing.co.nz
03 359 8557 / 027 359 8557 bradi@bishopdalehearing.co.nz