Newsletter ITLA - Outubro 2013

Newsletter

October 2013

Editorial Dear friends, In the aftermath of the launch of the long awaited UN General Comment on Article 31, in which ITLA was one of the partners, it is appropriate to highlight one of the main goals of toy libraries - defending the right to play.

After a long journey, this Right is becoming recognized as determinant for children’s personal and social development, but also important for adolescents, adults and the elderly. And in this path, the role of toy libraries was, and is, crucial. Toy libraries are spaces that are intended to promote the existence of conditions that allow all to play and communicate. They aim to stimulate meeting and sharing between generations, providing different experiences, contexts and play materials.

Thus, toy libraries have contributed to raise awareness among families and community to the importance of play in the overall development of the individual. Moreover, at a time as difficult as we live all over the world, toy libraries assume a prominent role in supporting families and children most deprived and isolated.

ITLA is proud to share in every issue of our newsletter several examples of the value toy libraries have on communities. In this particular issue we highlight Roma Lear - a life dedicated to toy libraries in the UK; 30 years of the Japanese National Council of Toy Libraries; and the activities of toy libraries of Colombia. We also have a special article about Christmas, that can help you in the search for suitable toys!

Best Regards, Leonor Santos

ITLA is proud to share, in each issue of this newsletter, several examples of the value toy libraries have on communities.

In This Issue  Life Member: Roma Lear P.2  4th Asian Toy Library Conference

P.3  Gyrator of Colours P.5  World Play Day P.7  Christmas Special P.8  The Japanese National Council of

Toy Libraries celebrates 30 years P. 10  The First Official Degree in Play

and Games Starts This Year in Belgium P.12  European Toy Libraries Meeting

P.14

Roma Lear, a grandmother of toy libraries It is so characteristic of her that when I wrote to Roma for

were used by the assembly as they sang a heartfelt trib-

permission to write this article and asked for some biographical information she immediately sent a great deal about Kingston toy library and the history of the toy library movement in the United Kingdom but nothing about her-

ute to her. She was made a life member of ITLA. She returned to present a workshop at the Paris ITLA conference 3 years later.

self!

This modest toymaker could be easy to underestimate especially by those who only know her from conference presentations on quick & easy play ideas. Her profound knowledge of child development and play, her well developed craft skills, her creativity and her capacity for sustained hard work have been deployed for at least 70 years in the service of children’s play and she has shared her ideas generously.

Roma trained as a teacher at a Froebel College, and worked for 16 years as a teacher at various children’s hospitals where she found herself devising play activities for the end of the school day for her pupils, for those too ill or disabled to work and the younger children. She used “tapes, clothes pegs, magnets and safety pins, to invent ways of keeping pencils to hand and all else from falling off the bed” She retired to raise her family as was done in those days and later worked as a visiting home teacher.

On the radio in “Woman’s Hour” she heard Jill Norris describing the toy library she had recently set up with other parents for their disabled children and started correspondences with her. Roma began a toy library in her home in 1968 with a table full of toys for 5 children with cerebral palsy. Their parents said that finding suitable playthings for them was a challenge so she started inventing and adapting them. One of her early designs was for a muff of see-through net fabric with elastic cuffs to enclose a player’s hands. A toy inside could be played with and not be dropped and lost.

Kingston Toy Library had to close recently because its base, the Quaker Meeting House, was being rebuilt. Roma and a team of volunteers ran it for more than 44 years. It was member no. 2 of the national association that was established in 1972. Roma has always been at the heart of toy libraries in the UK and was involved in the small group that organised the first international conference at Roehampton in 1978. She participated in every triennial conference of what became ITLA until Pretoria/ Tshwane in 2005. Her husband John was not well so she sent many hundreds of her knitted “Little Dicky Birds” that 2

“Play Helps” was published in 1977 by Heinemann Medical and is now in its 4th edition and translated into several languages. “More Play Helps” followed, then “Look at it This Way” for children with a visual impairment, “Fun without Fatigue” for children with weakness or brittle bones, and “Fingers and Thumbs” for children with hand function problems. These books are loved not only by parents and toy librarians but also by teachers, early years workers, therapists (occupational, speech and language and physio), and play workers. Despite their appeal to professionals they are about play, not therapy or teaching. Roma has presented her work at innumerable conferences and meetings around the world and always acknowledges the ideas of those who have shared their creations with her.

Her website http:// roma.testbench.co.uk has an index of toys categorized into sight, hearing and touch sections.

A group of friends from UK toy libraries held a celebration dinner for her 90th birthday. Roma still makes toys for those that need her skills and plays viola in Esher String Orchestra.

Friends around the world cherish her and her work will live on.

Pat Atkinson (United Kingdom)

4th Asian Toy Library Conference The 4th Asian Toy Library Conference, in commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Japan National Council of Toy Libraries, was held from Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th June at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Centre in Tokyo, Japan.

At the Opening Ceremony, Dr. Freda Kim, President of the Asian Toy Library Association, told the audience, “The title of the conference, ‘Play, Empowerment and Life’, is in itself a statement of energy. My hope and belief is that through our sharing, through our conversations and relationships we will be empowered to develop a deeper conception and stronger conviction of the value of play”.

ITLA President, Ms. Monica Juarez Soria kindly sent a message to congratulate the conference. It was a great honour and was conveyed to the participants by Ms. Ai-Na Khor.

In the commemorative speech Rev. Abe Shiro mentioned, “Encounter is to open one’s

On the first day the number of participants at the ceremony and conference was one hundred and seventy-five from five countries: Cambodia, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan. There were thirtyeight overseas participants. We were very pleased to welcome so many guests from abroad.

heart to each other and to support each other. The toy library is the place of encounter for children with and without disabilities, parents and volunteers. Children grow through play. When children share toys, they learn how to take care of things and respect others. The life of parents and volunteers is supported by loving children and they can grow with the children.”

Ms. Ai-Na Khor gave the Commemorative Lecture, “Our Journey: Play, Empowerment and Life”. She covered the history of toy libraries in Asian countries, such as Korea, Japan, Malaysia, etc. and the past Asian Toy Library Conferences. She described clearly how the toy library movement and network have grown in Asia. She also emphasized “Play and toys promote the overall development of children. All children develop and learn through play, more so when it is fun and pleasurable. The value of play is immeasurable. The conference theme, Play, Empowerment and Life, conveys the vital role of toy libraries.

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Tea Ceremony

4th Asian Toy Library Conference the presenters. I congratulate everybody.”

Both lectures were very impressive and participants described them in their questionnaires as “Splendid”.

After the Closing Ceremony, World Play Day started at the Large Gymnasium in the athletics building. Five hundred people participated and enjoyed the various play

Country reports were presented by delegates from Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Cambodia and Japan. Unfortunately no one from Thailand or Singapore could attend the conference, but they sent their reports, which were presented by the organizers. It was very valuable to share information about what activities are going on in the toy librar-

corners. Please refer to a separate report about WPD 2013 in Tokyo.

ies in neighbouring countries.

Moreover, we learned that in Cambodia education for disabled children run mainly by NGOs and children don’t have toys to play with. Mr. Chan Sarin realized the need for toy libraries and he attended the conference to learn how to set up toy libraries and to network. It was very impressive that other countries donated toys and Korean friends raised funds for Cambodian children.

Handmade Toy Display and Exhibition

At the opening we sang the WPD song and the Japanese Drum Performance was presented by young adults with disabilities, their mothers and volunteers from NiihamaCity Toy Library Choo-choo. The audience was deeply moved.

In addition, the tea ceremony was performed in the traditional tea-ceremony room and participants experienced the tea ceremony as guests and tasted powdered green

Japanese Drums Performance

tea.

The welcome dinner was held on the first night. Everybody deepened friendships and enjoyed dinner and en-

Throughout all three days a handmade toys exhibition was held and many people enjoyed it. These handmade toys are made by volunteers from toy libraries nationwide.

tertainment presented by the various countries. The traditional Japanese dance was performed by a Down syndrome girl from Yu-Yu Toy Library.

The next host country for the 5th Asian Toy Library Conference, scheduled in 2016, is Taiwan. Prof. Dream Lin gave a welcoming speech during the closing ceremony and invited the delegates to Taiwan. Another welcome speech was given by Prof. Young Sook Suh. She eagerly

The program for the second day was a study tour. Foreign participants visited the National Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children, Arakawa Toy Library and Tokyo Toy Show which was held at the Tokyo Big Site. Japanese participants visited the Toy Museum. The number of participants was one hundred and eleven.

invited all the delegates to the 13th International Conference of Toy Libraries in Korea next year. All participants are looking forward to seeing each other again.

On the third day, at the Closing Ceremony, Dr. Freda Kim concluded the conference, saying, “It was a good confer-

Noriko Minejima, M.D.

ence showing tremendous enthusiasm and understanding for play. The participants and organizers should be very encouraged at the high standard of the content of all 4

Vice-Director of the Japanese National Council of Toy Libraries ITLA Board Member (Japan)

The Gyrator of Colours Toy used in the toy libraries in Colombia

Name of game: "Gyrator of colours" [This toy is known as “parachute activities” in the English speaking world]

Description: (1) Circular multi coloured cloth 3 meters in diameter

How to play: The objective of this game is not to let the balls fall on the floor, even though the parachute is in motion. This game develops the ability to cooperate and to work in a group, engaging the body and the senses. It can be played with 10 to 20 participants, both children and adults. All participants take hold of the cloth and move it up and down or in a turning motion like a wave.

While moving the fabric, the children sing the following song: (Spanish) “Un Colombiano con su acción ayudaba Para que los niños jugaran, Como veía que ellos crecían Dijeron a otros que ayudaran.

Dos Colombianos con su acción ayudaban Para que los niños jugaran, 5

(4) Big balls

The Gyrator of Colours Como veía que ellos crecían,

(English version)

Tres Colombianos con su acción…

"An elephant is balancing

Cuatro Colombianos con su acción…”

On a spider's web And saw that they were reluctant to call a comrade…”

(English) "A Colombian with his action helped So the children would play, Sensing that they were growing They told others to help.

Two Colombians with their action helped So the children would play, Sensing that they were growing up, Three Colombians with their action...

When the song says "A Colombian with his action helped" the facilitator adds another ball to the parachute.

The players must continue with the movement and must also be careful not to let the balls fall on the ground.

Four Colombians with their action..."

Whenever the song mentions another Colombian, another ball is thrown onto the parachute until there are four balls on the parachute.

People can play this game in an open place like a patio, a court, in a toy library or any place which does not present any risk to the participants. This game can be enjoyed by adults and children in play spaces provided by municipalities during the Month of the Child, in school time and during Council of Social Policy (COMPOS) meetings. This game can be brought into toy library activities and families can be encouraged to play it.

The children can also sing the original, traditional Colombian song: (Spanish) “Un elefante se balanceaba

Martha Cecilia Garzon Perez

Sobre la tela de una araña

Regional Infancy Coordinator (Colombia)

como veía que resistía fueron a llamar un camarada…”

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World Play Day World Play Day was created at the 8th International Conference in Tokyo in 1999. It was an initiative of Freda Kim, ITLA’s then president.

In 2001, at a board meeting in Florence, the date for this event was chosen - May 28th: World Play Day is held on ITLA’s birthday.

ITLA is happy to show how everybody: families, children and adults played on World Play Day. In this issue of our newsletter we share what happened in Croatia and Tokyo

World Play Day 2013 in Croatia

Since 2005, Spring snail races are organized by the Children's Department of the Vlado Gotovac Public Library in Sisak, Croatia. This spring event always causes great enthusiasm for all children and adults alike. For one whole week from the eve of World Play Day, this project activities will include: research literature about snails (their anatomy, nutrition habits and way of life) and after that librarians organized quiz about it. For preschools there are organised games and parents would read aloud Julie Donaldson picture book Snail and the whale and rhyme from collection Snail on vacation of well-known Croatian children poet Stanislav Femenić.

After that snails-competitors will have to pass through very detailed examination before the race of the dozen snails each with significant names such as Arrow, Thunder, Speedy, Lightning etc. can start. The winner takes the special prize – lettuce. With cheering and singing old traditional songs about snails, there will eventually emerge a winner!

Every year Spring snails race expands to a few new libraries, and this year Istra Region/County held the intercounty race with large audience.

World Play Day 2013 in Tokyo On the 15th June in 2013, Asian Toy Library Association celebrated WPD in Tokyo. It was held at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Centre on the last day of the 4th Asian Toy Library Conference which ran from the 13th to the 15th June, 2013.

ing papers” “Playing parachute”, “Mobile toy library”, “Darts”, “Puppet show”, “Ventriloquism”, “Handmade swing made of reinforced cardboard, tri-wall cardboard” and “Music corner”, etc.

We welcomed thirty-eight overseas participants to the 4th Asian Toy library Conference. They came from Cambodia, Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan. We, the Japanese National Council of Toy Libraries, were very happy to have so many guests from abroad.

At 11 o’clock Dr. Freda Kim, Founder of WPD declared the opening and participants sang the WPD song together with Japanese Duo “Rito Miura & Mimo”. Then the Japanese Drum was performed by the group of young adults with disabilities, their mothers and volunteers of Niihama-city Toy Library Choo-Choo. The sound of drums echoed in the place and their performance was very impressive.

The number of the participants of WPD was more than five hundred including children, parents and volunteers. Everybody enjoyed playing and shared happy time. The Large Gymnasium in the Athletic Building was full of laugh and enthusiasm. The event closed at 2:30 p.m. with the song of WPD.

Then about fifteen various play corners open and all the participants, not only children but also adults enjoyed each play corner such as “Make toys for yourself”, “Spin a top”, “Play with newspapers and corrugated paper toys”, “Origami, fold7

Christmas Special: Before Santa Clause Brings the Toys…

The objects with which children play can be natural elements or sophisticated toys that appear in different areas of children’s lives, e.g. in family or in school. In each of these areas, the toy can be seen as an object that compensates for isolation or loneliness, motivates autonomy and sharing, stimulates realization, cooperation and progress or aims to bring distraction or information.

With Christmas coming, the number of toy exhibitions to promote all kinds of toys increases. “Toy mania” and overstimulation from the so called “specialized market” tend to trivialize and distort the fantasy value of toys and so their magic needs to be recaptured.

Aiming to fulfill children’s expectations, we often search for the ideal toy.

Toys have an important impact and are, at the same time, the means to play and vehicles of intelligence and play activity. They constitute an "echo" of the cultural patterns that can be found in the different socio-economic groups.

In a time when many seem to suffer from "toy mania" driven by overstimulation created mainly by specialized stores, ending up trivializing the fantasy potential of toys, we need to take good care of their magic.

The development of play activity depends significantly on children's actions. Without them, play does not happen. These actions are developed early in life, at a concrete (physical) level. As the child grows, his/her action becomes more abstract, with the development of cognitive, emotional and social abilities. In a game of building blocks, the small child plays through manipulation. As the child develops, he/she starts to build objects and scenes that acquire a more abstract meaning and become part of other play activities, leaving the construction goal aside. Play and toys are simultaneous elements in the development of the child.

So, toys assume an increasingly important role in play activity. Attention must be paid to the toy: the materials that constitute it, its colour, shape, dimensions and functions. It is important to have in mind the toy’s appropriateness for a certain age, as, if it is used too late or too early it will not correspond to the child’s expectations and needs and will not fulfil its function. It can even be harmful in some cases.

From an educational point of view, any object capable of triggering a play activity has the value of a toy. For children the toy is a support to play and a mediator between the outside world and themselves.

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There are, however, some basic qualities that we should keep in mind when we plan to buy a toy. Toys should: 

Meet the safety standards of each country;



Come in a package that should contain the identification of the toy and its description, as well as instructions in the official language of the country;



Be suitable for the child's age and cognitive development;



Be unsophisticated;



Foster communication;



Be pleasing to the child’s senses.

On the other hand, toys should not be sexist or violent.

The toy, when carefully selected, contributes to the development of the mental activities of the child, at the same time as it gives him/her pleasure and joy, crucial aspects for emotional development. It is not a superfluous accessory: it is essential and indispensable to mental development, the formation of the personality and social integration.

Leonor Santos Play Activity Department Coordinator - IAC ITLA Board Member (Portugal) 9

Leading Article

The Japanese National Council of Toy Libraries celebrates 30 years The 4th Asian Toy Library Conference was held in Tokyo, from 13th to 15th June, 2013, in commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Japanese National Council of Toy

Libraries (JNCTL). In this article I’d like to summarize the 30 year history of JNCTL.

The first toy library run by volunteers in Japan was started by Mrs. Ruth Kobayashi in 1981 in Mitaka City in Tokyo. The Japanese National Council of Toy Libraries was established in 1983. Since then the number of member libraries of JNCTL have been increasing. In the year 2000, it reached its peak with 490 members. Since then it has decreased gradually and now JNCTL membership stands with 450 toy libraries.

Toy Libraries in Japan In Japan toy library social activities are supported by volunteers who wish to help disabled children play with toys. In the beginning toy libraries were started for disabled children. We, the volunteers, provide disabled children with opportunities to choose their favourite toys and to play with them for fun.

In the rehabilitation centre, therapists, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and so on use toys as tools for therapy. On the other hand, at toy libraries, disabled children can choose their favourite toys by themselves and have fun in free play with volunteers.

Not only disabled children but also their mothers can enjoy their free time by meeting friends and chatting together.

Now our program has changed to include both disabled and non-disabled children. We also support children and mothers who are isolated in the community.

Various activities of toy libraries in Japan (from the survey in 2007)

Toy libraries are found in various places such as social welfare facilities, special day care centres, community centres, public halls, children’s centres, volunteer centres, etc. They are also found in hospitals. Children who suffer from chronic diseases such as leukaemia have to endure painful therapies, repeatedly, for a long time. They get strength to cope with such difficult experiences by enjoying play with volunteers at the toy library.

According to the survey conducted in 2007, 29% of toy libraries open two days per month. 22% open once a month and 16% open once a week. On the other hand 12% are standing or dedicated, permanent toy libraries that are open every day. Most of them are run by regional Social Welfare Association Volunteer Centres.

Mobile toy libraries are also very popular in Japan. Volunteers visit hospitals, schools for disabled children and event venues with a lot of toys to meet various needs.

Furthermore, in order to meet the needs of adults with disabilities, volunteers arrange cultural events, sports events and recreational activities, such as music bands, dances, camps, horse-riding, painting, pottery and so on. We call this the leisure library.

In Japan men and women of all ages and various occupations participate in the toy library activities as volunteers. 83% of volunteers are female and 17% are male. 60% of volunteers are over 51 and 20% of volunteers are over 65. A lot of senior citizens participate in toy libraries as volunteers.

32% of the volunteers are family members of the disabled, and 19% are specialists, who are connected to the welfare organization.

And 12% are the disabled themselves.

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Leading Article

The Japanese National Council of Toy Libraries celebrates 30 years Problems After 30 years JNCTL has some concerns. There is a decrease in the number of children who visit toy libraries. 30 years ago toy libraries were started for disabled children who lacked opportunities to play with toys for fun. Nowadays they are involved in a lot of places and activities. They go to sports clubs, piano lessons, swimming school, dance lessons and so on. They are too busy to come to toy libraries and toy libraries are open for such a limited time.

Another problem is the shortage of young volunteers. One of the reasons for aging volunteers might be the child rearing support program which has become popular recently. It is one of the government’s projects which aims to address the decrease in the number of children. Regional governments subsidize them and young mothers are involved in this program as volunteers after their children stop using the program since the volunteers are given money for expenses. In contrast, toy libraries have difficulty in maintaining their venues and are short of funds.

Furthermore it is difficult to find successors (who are also volunteers) to take over the responsibility of running toy libraries. This is one reason for the decrease in the number of toy libraries.

Towards a better future for toy libraries in Japan Some toy libraries have closed due to the decrease in the number of children, aging volunteers, shortage of funds, etc. In the case of toy libraries started by parents of disabled children the parents change their activities to other projects such as sheltered workshops and group homes as their children grow up. On the other hand, young parents open new toy libraries for their disabled children.

There is always a need for toy libraries.

Recently new toy libraries are arising from the Child Rearing Support Program. They realise the importance of play and have included toy library as part of their program. Since volunteers are young and paid by the government, activities are lively and cheerful. However it is difficult for them to understand the aims and objectives of toy libraries. Seminars and conferences are very important for them to understand these concepts. They can also learn about other toy library activities. It is very important for toy libraries to cooperate with each other and exchange information to maintain a high quality of service.

Furthermore JNCTL has started a training course for toy librarians to maintain the high quality of volunteers and educate toy library leaders.

The role of JNCTL is as follows: 

Training volunteers



Publishing public relations magazines and newsletters



Consultations for establishing new toy libraries



Research and study



Networking and exchange of information



Attending the International Conference of Toy Libraries and the Asian Toy Library Conference

Each toy library is different. All toy libraries do not need to be the same. There are different needs in each community.

Toy libraries in Japan are run by volunteers. Volunteers can do what they want to do without any restraints and control. When the big earthquake and tsunami occurred in March 2011 JNCTL visited children many times in the disaster area with toys and sent mobile toy libraries to give them the joy of play. We realized the importance of the bond amongst the community through toy library activities.

We’d like to keep talking about our dream of toy library activities and try hard for the dream to come true.

Noriko Minejima, M.D.

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Vice-Director of the Japanese National Council of Toy Libraries ITLA Board Member (Japan)

The First Official Degree in Play and Games Starts This Year in Belgium The one-year programme, Specialization in the Science and Techniques of Play and Games is a full, official, Belgian, French degree worth 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). It is offered by the Brussels High School that trains teachers and educators (www.defre.be), and the Paul-Henri Spaak High School that trains social workers and librarians (www.iessid.be).

The purpose of the Specialization in the Science and Techniques of Play and Games is, on the one hand, to learn how to use play and games in the socio-educational (teachers and educators) or paramedical professions (like logopedy, ergotherapy, kinesitherapy); and on the other, to graduate toy librarians.

This interdisciplinary specialization includes all aspects of the games world. Unlike most game studies and game design programmes, it is not especially focused on computer games.

The Play and Games study programme is not yet a Master’s degree. However, the students must already have graduated from a three-year degree to do this specialization. To register they have to pay ₏ 440 all included, for one year. Under special conditions, it is possible to get grants.

Classes are held on Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 9:30 pm. There are practical seminars on Wednesdays (6:30 to 9:30 pm) and 2 practicals of 90 hours in toy libraries, toy museums, schools etc.

Students playing "Cooperative Pen" in the Ludivine Toy Library, Brussels High School (June 2013.)

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The one-year programme is divided into three parts:

Part 1: 15 September – 15 December: Project management, team building, toy library finances and toy librarian duties, developmental and educational psychology, knowledge of different kinds of play and games and a period of work in a toy library.

Part 2: 15 January - end February: Game design project (including adaptations for disabled people or for people with specific needs).

Part 3: 1 March – 15 May: General lessons (history and socio-anthropology of play and games, didactical use of play and games) students’ individual projects (including work period and thesis).

Evaluations take place in January, June and again in August if it is necessary.

LUDO asbl, the association of the French-speaking Belgian toy librarians and the toy libraries sector of the COCOF (Brussels regional government), are official partners of the degree.

M. Van Langendonckt Pedagogical Coordinator in charge of the Specialization in Science and Techniques of Play and Games Contact: mvanlangendonckt@heb.be (Belgium) 13

European Toy Libraries Meeting in Denmark European Toy Libraries (ETL) had its 17th meeting in Denmark, on 19th and 20th of April, in Greve and it was attended by participants from Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.

ETL members shared ideas regarding the challenges for toy libraries in the actual worldwide situation, reinforcing that the role of toy libraries in a crisis is very important as many families are getting poorer and becoming isolated.

The members worked also in small groups to discuss ETL’s future and expectations, concrete plans for next year and how can ETL get in touch with other European countries and motivate them to join them. One of the highlights of these discussions, alongside stating the importance to meet every year, is the recognition by all people present that this group is an opportunity to share experiences, to join reflection and a way to get inspired, while also inspiring others.

Regarding the social programme, a visit to “Greve Legetek� was organized and so ETL members had the opportunity to get acquainted with a Danish toy library. Having the chance to get to know how toy libraries in each country work is a very positive experience. In this visit, members explored the existing toys and games and talked with the toy library responsible so to get to know some activities that are carried out. In the last day of the meeting, the members visited Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park in Copenhagen opened in 1843, what makes it the second oldest amusement park in the world.

The next meeting will be held in Greece, on 4th and 5th April, 2014.

Greve Legetek

Tivoli Gardens in, Copenhagen - Denmark

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Upcoming Events 13th International Conference of Toy Libraries in Seoul, Korea from 18 to 22 August, 2014.

You can see more details about the event on our website.

ITLA wants to thank all the wonderful, professional and dedicated work that our Media Assistant Maxine Fine did until September 30th. We wish you the best in your future work and life!

With all our love, ITLA Board

Next Issue:  Three stories of toy libraries in Colombia  Project “Library with doors wide open” , Zagreb City Libraries, Croatia  A brief overview of Smart Play Network and a focus on two Scottish Toy Libraries  The Swedish Toy Library Association, FSHL  UN General Comment on Article 31

Remember to send stories of your own to Christmas is coming!

share with international colleagues.

ITLA wishes you all the best in this holiday season!

We also appreciate original book and toy

Newsletter Editor: Leonor Santos (Portugal) Media Assistant: Maxine Fine Design:

reviews.

Ana Lourenço & Anabela Fonseca

Please send your articles to

International Toy Libraries Association

news.itla@gmail.com

Published by:

http://www.itla-toylibraries.org news.itla@gmail.com

© Child Support Institute - Play Activity Department & International Toy Libraries Association 2013

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