Term and Condition

Our members pay a one-off annual fee that covers the hire of all our toys, including our party hire items. Items are issued for 2 weeks at a time.

Can I renew and reserve toys?

You can renew each toy once (simply phone, text or email us your name and the toy number or login to our new online system and do it yourself!). Toys can be reserved including popular toys, party packs and cake tins.

What happens if toys are lost or damaged?

Members who return a toy with a missing piece can be charged a fine of up to $5 for each lost piece. This fine will be refunded on return of the missing piece/pieces. If the missing piece is vital to the toy and without it the toy cannot be played with then we may need to seek costs to replace the toy.
Each time you take out a toy you will need to check all the pieces are with the toy, ideally before you leave the library. If you do not do this you may be fined when you return the toy if pieces are missing so it is important you check your toys. Please contact us if you find pieces are missing when you get home or if the toy is damaged in any way.
We understand that toys can break in normal play. Please notify us of the broken parts when you return the toys. If a toy is destroyed or a vital piece is broken and cannot be replaced, you may be charged the replacement cost of the toy. The committee will assess the situation and you will be notified of any charges within 4 weeks.

Batteries

Some of our toys require batteries so we do supply these but you will need to replace these when they go flat.

Overdue toys

If your toy is overdue, you will be charged $2 per toy per week until they are returned. You will get reminder e-mails when toys are due and overdue and you will be able to renew online or contact our librarian. We understand that it is not always possible to return toys on time.

The Invercargill Toy Library is pleased to make bicycles and scooters available to members.

As a member of the library, you acknowledge that there are dangers and risks inherent with bicycle and scooter riding to which any child under your supervision may be exposed.

The Invercargill Toy Library does not provide protective clothing or bicycle helmets and it is your responsibility to ensure that the child wears a helmet at all times and is otherwise appropriately attired when participating in bicycle and scooter riding. You agree that your children will participate in bicycle and scooter riding at your own risk. You also agree to voluntarily assume responsibility for supervising bicycle and scooter riding and any injury, death or property damage you or the child may suffer or cause as a result of participating in bicycle and scooter riding.

To the maximum extent possible at law, you (both in your personal capacity and on behalf of the child) agree to release, hold harmless and indemnify the Invercargill Toy Library and its respective officers, employees, servants, agents and contractors (the “Indemnified Persons”) against all actions, claims, suits, costs, expenses, demands and damages suffered or incurred by the Indemnified Persons or any one or more of them by reason of, or in respect of, or in any manner whatsoever arising out of, or caused by, your use of the Invercargill Toy Library or the child's participation in bicycle and scooter riding.

Invercargill Toy & Puzzle Library

Child Protection Policy

The Invercargill Toy & Puzzle Library is committed to the safety, care and protection of all children, young people, women and men, and to promoting a consistent and comprehensive approach to the personal wellbeing of children and young people.

This policy outlines the Toy Library committee’s commitment to child protection and recognises the important role and responsibility of all our staff in the protection of children. It includes the committee’s expectations when child abuse is reported or suspected by us.

All staff members (including contractors and volunteers) are expected to be familiar with this policy, its associated procedures and protocols and abide by them.

As a non-government agency, we recognise that it is voluntary compliance with legislation, but that we: 

• Value the care and protection of children and young people and recognise that care and protection require children and young people are free from all forms of physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect. 
• Value the right and honour of families to provide this care and protection. 
• Value the ability to provide support to families by pointing them to suitable agencies, should they require assistance with supporting their children and young people to be free from all forms of physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect.
• Value the support of statutory organisations in assisting families to care and protect their children and young people, in situations where family standards of safety, care and protection are not upheld by legal standards of safety, care and protection. 
• Value prevention of abuse of children and young people by promoting awareness of child abuse, the unacceptability of child abuse, ways in which child abuse may be prevented, the need to report cases of child abuse, and to have a process for dealing with allegations of abuse or situations that raise concern about the safety of a child or young person. 

These procedures apply to children or young people at risk of abuse or neglect who come to the attention of the Invercargill Toy & Puzzle Library through its interaction with its members or attendees. 

• As a general overriding principle the Invercargill Toy & Puzzle Library agrees that Oranga Tamariki or the New Zealand Police should be advised whenever the Toy Library believes that a child or young person has been abused or is at risk of being harmed (whether physically, emotionally, or sexually), ill-treated, abused, neglected or deprived. 
• Following a notification being made, Invercargill Toy & Puzzle Library acknowledges that it is important for Oranga Tamariki to have access to all information held by it that is relevant to an investigation (refer Appendix 2, Section 17 of the CYP&F Act, 1989). 

Whenever child abuse is identified or suspected the matter must be given top priority. The child’s safety should always be the paramount consideration in the notification process. 

• Do not ignore your concerns. 
• Do not act alone. Consult with the library president or other committee members.
• Record/document. Your notes may be used as evidence in court. It is important to document dates, times, any factors that indicate abuse or neglect, actions you have taken, legible signatures and designations. Document verbatim, document promptly. 
• Rules of confidentiality still apply. However, under Section 16 of the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act, you are protected when reporting ill treatment or neglect of a child or young person, to Oranga Tamariki or the police.
• Unless a child/ young person is in immediate danger, all Invercargill Toy Library workers/volunteers are to consult with their upline support (being the President or Secretary/Treasurer), as per the policy guidelines. 
• Invercargill Toy & Puzzle Library workers/volunteers must not interview the child/young person or attempt to investigate any concerns. Likewise, no attempt should be made to discuss the matter with the person who you are concerned is harming the child or young person without consultation from upline committee authority.

Procedures for responding to disclosures of abuse from a child or young person: 

• Keep calm and actively listen. Reassure the child they have done the right thing by talking to you. 
• Accept what they tell you. You do not have to say you believe them. 
• Provide emotional support i.e., tell the child this is not his/her fault. 
• Tell the child or young person that you are going to get him/her some help. Do not promise to keep any secrets. Explain that this is something adults need to help them with. 
• Do not interview the child or try to investigate. 

Write down what the child told you as soon as possible. Write verbatim if possible. Record the facts, not opinion. Put the date and time on the notes, sign and keep in a confidential place. 

- You do not need evidence or all the facts. Leave the investigation work for Oranga Tamariki and Police. 

- Do not make a decision in isolation. You can still report to Oranga Tamariki or Police directly, but it is advisable to consult with other committee members if possible.