MAKING A DIFFERENCE : One County’s Approach: Take Child’s Play Seriously

Los Angeles County’s 58-year-old Toy Loan program, the first of its kind, has spawned more than 400 similar projects worldwide, according to the USA Toy Library Assn. The program began in the summer of 1934, when a store manager (whose name remains unknown) caught some children stealing spools of thread to make wheels for toy cars. He went to a community volunteer group and suggested that there should be places where toys could be available for children to borrow. The group established the first toy loan center at the Manchester playground on May 6, 1935.

Today, the free service lends toys, books and games to children, especially those in low-income neighborhoods, and supplies toys to publicly funded organizations like Headstart centers and homeless shelters. Last year, more than 16,000 children borrowed 36,482 toys at 30 lending centers and 150 outreach sites throughout the county.

HOW THE TOY LOAN PROGRAM WORKS

Children can borrow toys after getting permission from a parent or other responsible adult. There are no dues or fines, but children must agree to return toys on time and in good shape and to give explanations when toys are lost or broken. As an incentive, children get to select a new toy to keep after borrowing and returning 20 toys in good condition.

While the county provides a headquarters and a truck, the Toy Loan program depends on support from individuals and corporations.

Supporters find rent-free space in housing projects, schools, storefronts, parks, libraries and hospitals. Most toy centers are open at least one afternoon each week.

All toys are donated; most are used. Welfare recipients repair toys, check puzzles and games for missing pieces and replace parts at the program’s cavernous Los Angeles headquarters in a former paint factory.

THE PRICE OF PLAY

Recently, 375 children from 2 to 10 years old played with more than 200 toys for three weeks at sites nationwide and selected their favorites.

Total cost of top 25 toys: $921

Average cost of top 25 toys: $38

Median cost: $30

Range: $15-$110

AMONG THE 25 FAVORITES:

Busy Balls Super Set: $30

Stanley Electronic Real Sound Workbench: $25

Treasure Troll Tots: $25

See ‘N Say Storymaker: $27

Load ‘N Haul Railroad: $110

Pogo Roo pogo stick: $20

Source: Family Fun magazine

THE VALUE OF PLAY

“To play acknowledges our humanity, keeps the dark side of the mind at bay, initiates the child into celebration, keeps the sense of wonder alive in later years of life. . . . Those of you concerned with the promotion of play . . . think of it in terms of the well-being of all humans . . . for, even in the post-modern era, play is our nature.”

--Dr. Geoffrey Godbey, professor of leisure studies, Pennsylvania State University, from keynote address given at the 1993 World Play Summit in Melbourne, Australia

TO GET INVOLVED

For information about support, donation or volunteer opportunities with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services Toy Loan Program, call (310) 908-8441. The agency would like to organize a reunion of program participants over the years and welcomes queries from those who borrowed toys as children.

For information on developing a toy loan program, contact the USA Toy Library Assn., 2530 Crawford Ave., Suite 111, Evanston, Ill. 60201-4954 or call (708) 864-3330.

Compiled by Times researcher CATHERINE GOTTLIEB