Toy riders: Hudson, Molly, Marion and Mitchell with toy library staff Mary, Jude and Andrew Park. Picture: Yanni

MORNINGTON Toy Library is celebrating a big birthday next week – 25 years of lending funny, colourful, interesting and creative toys to boys and girls from its Albert St premises.

Staff members are planning an open day on Saturday 6 September to mark the occasion. Councillors Bev Columb, Anne Shaw and Andrew Dixon will be there from 9.30-11.30am, with speeches and a “cutting of the cake” at 11. There will be balloons, giveaways and activities for the children.

The toy library began in 1982 and operated from the Community Contact House in Albert St and then from the children’s section of Mornington Library before moving to Albert St in 1989. From there it has been able to add to its toy collection considerably.

The toy library provides a wide variety of toys, games and puzzles to more than 100 families, grandparents, family day carers and groups each year and is a favourite haunt for those aged six months to nine years.

The toy library opens 9.30-11.30am Saturday, 1-3pm Monday and 9.30am-12.30pm Wednesday.