Toy Libraries Australia’s 2024 member survey gathered responses from 109 participants representing 80 toy libraries across Australia. The survey aims to capture the perspectives of volunteer committee members and paid toy librarians on the strengths and challenges faced by their toy library, as well as their satisfaction with Toy Libraries Australia (TLA). This survey provides invaluable insights that are used by the board in developing TLA’s strategy and by the leadership team in developing our workplan.
The survey responses showed a good representation of members from different states, with the majority coming from Victoria (45%), followed by Western Australia (30%), Queensland (10%), South Australia (7%), New South Wales (7%), and Northern Territory (1%) 1. The size of the toy libraries varied, with 30% having fewer than 50 members, 29% having 51-100 members, 18% having 101-200 members, 17% having 201-500 members, and 6% having more than 500 members 1.
Toy libraries reported that value for money, toy range, and community feel remain the main strengths of toy libraries, however, value for money has seen a significant increase in importance compared to the previous year reflecting current cost-of-living pressures (figure 1). Other strengths highlighted by respondents include support from volunteers and committees and their success securing grants and funding.
Figure 1: Toy library strengths
Volunteers, awareness, and venues were the biggest challenges for toy libraries (figure 2). This year we received twice as many respondents reporting awareness and marketing as one of their top 3 challenges, but significant drops for challenges relating to volunteers and venue. We hope this reflects an increasing capacity of toy libraries to address operational issues and focus on growth.
TLA has just commissioned market research to survey parents of pre-school children about their awareness, views and barriers to using toy libraries. This will provide us invaluable insights that can increase the effectiveness of both TLA and individual toy libraries.
Figure 2: Toy library challenges
An overwhelming majority of members expressed very high satisfaction with TLA. 93% of respondents were very likely to recommend TLA to other toy libraries, with only 1% being somewhat unlikely or very unlikely to do so. Comments from members highlighted the invaluable support provided by TLA, including insurance, training, advocacy, and networking opportunities. Members appreciated the professional and supportive nature of TLA staff, the sense of community, and the resources available through TLA.
Figure 3: Satisfaction with TLA
The survey also revealed that TLA's advocacy work is being recognized by members for the first time, along with traditional services such as insurance, training, and member support. Members continue to find TLA’s group insurance coverage particularly valuable, as it alleviated the burden on individual libraries. The Facebook page was also mentioned as a great platform for members to share ideas and stay updated on what other toy libraries are doing.
Figure 4: Most valuable TLA services
Our upcoming training program will be shaped by member feedback asking for more training on volunteers, toys, governance and compliance, and toy libraries operations.
If any members need support or have other feedback they would like to share, please contact your local member development officer or email us at info@toylibraries.org.au.
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