Donations help create toy library for Crossings branch
By Nick Kuhl on February 29, 2020.
Greg Bobinec
Lethbridge Herald
Through the generous donation from the Friends of the Lethbridge
Public Library and FortisAlberta, the Crossings Branch of the
Lethbridge Public Library will be the home to a new toy library.
Play is an essential asset in a child’s learning and development
process, and toys play a key part in helping to develop physical, fine
motor, gross motor, intellectual, creative, social and emotional
skills. Now families will have another opportunity to borrow new and
exciting toys for this children at the library’s westside branch.
“A $2,700 donation provided to the Crossings Branch toy library by
the Friends of the Lethbridge Public Library helps ensure that every
child has access to toys and play,” says Isabelle Henderson,
president Friends of the Lethbridge Public Library. “The Friends
believe that investing in the next generation’s imagination and
creativity is an important part of belonging to a community. Our funds
are raised through community donations, triennial casinos, and regular
used-book sales run by extremely dedicated volunteers.”
The main branch’s toy library has been available to Lethbridge
families since 1992. Toy libraries afford parents the opportunity to
allow their children to enjoy a variety of toys without the cost of
purchase and the clutter of too many toys.
“We are so thankful to the Friends and FortisAlberta for their
generous support for the new toy library at the Crossings Branch,”
says Sarah Head, manager Branch Services, Lethbridge Public Library.
“As west Lethbridge continues to grow, we are thrilled to be able to
offer more options to the children and families of Lethbridge that use
the Crossings Branch.”
Further funds were received from FortisAlberta, whose $1,400 Save
Energy Grant made it possible for library staff to purchase toys made
by companies that have committed themselves to consider best
environmental practices in the manufacturing of their products.
“I am thrilled to support the Lethbridge Public Library with a grant
to purchase sustainable toys for this circulating toy collection,”
says Kari Hyde, supervisor Customer Experience and Energy Efficiency,
FortisAlberta. “FortisAlberta is committed to supporting
municipalities including businesses, schools, and libraries that are
working to reduce energy consumption and minimize our carbon
footprint. This grant for sustainable toys will ensure many children
enjoy new and exciting toys while avoiding the plastic waste that
comes with new toy packaging and delivery.”
Selecting toys made from environmentally responsible materials, such
as softwood and recycled plastic, the Lethbridge Public Library
Crossings Branch is excited to give families on the westside the
opportunity to include more play into their child’s development.
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