ENMU's Toy Library is Every Kid's Dream

Date: 9/27/2002
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
Reporter: Shane Brown

PORTALES – Eastern New Mexico University's Toy Library is every kid's dream.

Located in Room 127 of the College of Education Building, the Toy Library is a room full of toys, books, educational resources, games,puzzles, and other items for children's activities.

Everyone including parents, students, childcare providers, grandparents, and anyone in the community is free to check out any of the items for a two-week period . The toys are divided by age group: infant, toddler, pre-school and school age. All a person needs to check out an item is a student I.D. or a driver's license.

"The Toy Library is every kid's dream," says April Malaney, program development specialist//Toy Librarian with the Childcare Training and Technical Assistance Program. "It's a great way for parents to test a toy out before purchasing it for their child, and a great way for child care providers and parents to rotate toys without the expense of purchasing new toys."

According to Ms. Malaney, the Toy Library is also an invaluable resource, especially for students, particularly those taking classes in the field of education because of the tools and materials available for lesson planning and activities with children.

The Toy Library is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, and from 1-5 p.m. Come to Room 117 in the College of Education Building to be admitted into the Toy Library.

New Mexico Children Youth and Families funds the Toy Library. There are also smaller satellite toy libraries in Ft. Sumner's public library, Clovis' public library and Tucumcari's elementary school.

For more information, contact the the Child Care Training and Technical Assistance Program at 562.2850.

Austin and Krysten Sinney enjoy an early Christmas in ENMU's Toy Library. (photo by Shane Brown)

April Malaney of the Toy Library helps Krysten Sinney pick out a toy for a two-week visit to her home. (photo by Shane Brown)