Unanimous support for a toy library in Athlone

Green Party Cllr, Louise Heavin was taken aback at the level of support she received for her proposal to set up a toy library in Athlone which was brought before the February meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District last week

She received unanimous support from all her Council colleagues for her motion calling on the Municipal District to set up “a pilot library of toys in Athlone” and said it would ensure that many families could “borrow not buy” toys in the future.

Explaining the concept of a toy library, she said the very first such venture had been set up in America where it had been an outstanding success, and the first Irish toy library is based in Carrickmacross in county Monaghan and costs €30 per year to join.

“The idea is to avoid over-buying of toys, many of which end up in landfill, and to encourage parents and caregivers to source sustainably made toys and to borrow, not buy, where possible” said Cllr Heavin.

Independent Cllr Paul Hogan was very fulsome in his praise for the motion put forward by his Green Party colleague, describing it as “a very, very good motion” and he expressed the hope that a toy library in Athlone would receive the “full support” of the local community.

The idea was also praised by Cllr Aengus O’Rourke who admitted that, while he was the father of children who were “gone beyond toys” there were plenty of toys lying around his house and he would be more than happy to donate them to a toy library.

“There are so many toys left in cupboards and in people’s attics and I am sure they would be delighted to donate them to a library of toys” said Cllr Frankie Keena “so well done, Louise, it’s a great idea.”

In expressing his support, Cllr John Dolan said “people buy into these sort of things, and I think it’s a great idea.”

“We have a large family ourselves” said Cllr Tom Farrell “so there are lots of toys lying around too and I would be fully supportive of the idea of a toy library in Athlone.”

Cllr Heavin thanked her colleagues for their "strong support" and said she was delighted that they had all seen fit to support the setting up of a toy library in the town. "I really hope it does get up and running now" she added.

Director of Services, Barry Kehoe, said the details would “need to be worked out” with the Council’s Strategic Policy Group, but he said he assumed “it will roll out” and he wished the endeavour the very best of luck.

In their written response to Cllr Heavin’s motion, Westmeath County Council said “with the lifting of restrictions, Westmeath Libraries will progress this initiative.”