SWAN View Toy Library is celebrating 10 years as a volunteer-run organisation dedicated to lending toys, games and puzzles to local families.

The library was initially funded in 1981 by the Shire of Mundaring and has been known under different names throughout the years.

Swan View Toy Library chair Trudi Guagliardo said the library came under community ownership 10 years ago after it faced closure.

“It became a volunteer-run not-for-profit community organisation in July 2016 when a small group of dedicated, long-serving members decided that instead of letting it close down, they would take it over.”

Ms Guagliardo said since then library members have worked hard to keep it running and have helped grow the library’s catalogue to around 1300 toys.

“Some come from donations, but we’ve been very blessed and lucky that we’ve won some grants over the years,” she said.

“So, when we win grants, that means that we can purchase new toys, and we’re very strict with our toys as they must follow Australian standards and meet all obligations for insurance and safety.”

The library recently received around $10,000 from the state government to spend across two years as part of Midland MLA Steve Catania’s election commitment.

Ms Guagliardo said support like this is very valuable to them.

“We had a lot of toys that received a bit too much love and needed to be retired, but the main thing that we do is prevent toys from going to landfill,” she said.

“We try to fix them – sometimes we engage with the local Men’s Shed for support – or we might try to rehome them if they are still in good condition and are useful for other community groups.

“If they are unsafe, then unfortunately they do have to go to landfill.”

The library has around 50 members, who are primarily parents of young children.

“But we also do have grandparents like me,” Ms Guagliardo said.

“That’s initially how I got involved because I didn’t want to fill my house with toys for my grandkids when they came over.”

The toy library will be hosting an anniversary party to celebrate its 10 years.

“We’re having a party this Saturday, and it’s a community event, so it’s free,” Ms Guagliardo said.

“We will showcase our toys and have some activity stations with a face painter and a balloon artist.

“There will also be raffles and the opportunity to sign up as a member to the library.”

As part of the party, the library will also be offering three months of membership for $1 (plus a refundable $50 security deposit).

Ms Guagliardo said she hopes the library continues to grow and introduce more families to toy borrowing.

“We love involving our community in our toy library because that’s what it’s all about,” she said.

The library is located at 116 Salisbury Road, Swan View, in Brown Park, and is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9.30am to 11am during school terms.

The anniversary party will take place this Saturday, July 18 from 9.30am to 12.30pm.