The Rochester Toy Library was developed by the Junior League of Rochester (1985-1995) and as a program of the Society of Protection and Care of Children (1995-1999). The Toy Resource Center became part of the Lincoln Library in 2000. 

 See also:

How Play Strategies Help Children Learn

     For further articles on the importance of play, see National Museum of Play at the Strong Museum 

Be sure to call for hours before visiting, the Toy Library at the Lincoln Branch Library.

The Toy Library at the Lincoln Branch Library offers a wide variety of toys and equipment to enrich play experiences between children and their caregivers. The collection is primarily aimed at children ages newborn to 8 years old. Every item in the collection has been specially selected for quality and safety.

• Infant & Toddler Play – toys that develop perceptual skills & physical play
• Mobiles, Musical Toys, Activity Gyms, Busy Boxes, Push/Pull Toys, Small Riding Toys, First Puzzles
• Sensory Play – toys and puzzles that enhance sensory perceptual skills
• Mazes, Marble Runs, Sequence Beads, Sorting Boxes, Nesting and Stacking Toys, Pegboards, Puzzles
• Shapes, Sizes, Colors, Textures, Uses, Materials, Sequencing, Directionality, Problem Solving, Decoding
• Physical Play – toys and equipment that develop large muscles and coordination
• Riding Toys, Scooters, Slides, Tunnels, Balance Beams, Stilts, Basketball Hoops, Golf Sets, Tossing Games, Hula Hoops
• Special Needs Play – adapted toys for children with special needs
• Physio Balls, Positioning Cushions, Multi-sensory Boards, Switch Plate Activated Toys, Adapter Kits, Adapted Toys
• Creative Play – construction toys, visual art tools, musical instruments
• Building Blocks, Lite Brites, Stencils, Mosaics, Rhythm Sets, Rainsticks
• Pretend Play – social/emotional toys for make believe, imaginative, & imitative play
• Kitchen Sets, Work Benches, Cars & Trucks, Barns & Animals, Puppets, Dolls & Dollhouses, Cash Registers and Telephones
• Game Play – for all ages, a social and emotional connection
• Cooperative Games, Strategy Games, Board Games, Travel Games, Family and Party games
• School Play – cognitive toys and tools
• Math Games, Science Instruments, Reading Readiness Games, Phonic Sets, Story Kits
• Book Play – selection criteria for books in toy collection sections & toy/book sets

The Toy Library located within the Lincoln Branch Library, at 851 Joseph Avenue has gotten a brand new look.  Twenty-one design students from RIT worked on a community service project to enhance the Toy Library and upgrade its appearance. The students worked independently to develop unique design solutions, then the library chose their favorite design concepts and then the students collaborated on the final results. In less than 7 weeks the students created excellent professional designs, including a brand new logo. On May 24 the class  completed the assignment and installed everything in the space including; full-color banners from the ceiling, large full-color bookcase banners and signage prominently featuring the new logo.  

Assistant Professor David Royka  is extremely proud of the results; “This spring quarter I challenged my Junior Environmental Design students by giving them a REAL assignment...improving the interior of The Toy Library in Rochester (formerly the Toy Resource Center). The Toy Library is an amazing community asset which needed a rejuvenation and transformation of their interior space.

It is extremely rare to have Junior students actual work on real-world projects because of their lack of experience...but they delivered professional results. They've done an amazing job in a short amount of time and they truly deserve some recognition for their generous efforts.”

The library offers a wide variety of toys and equipment to enrich play experiences between children and their caregivers. The collection is primarily aimed at children ages newborn to 8 years old. Every item in the collection has been specially selected for quality and safety to support the cognitive, creative, social-emotional, perceptual, and physical developmental needs of children. Also available are toys for children with special needs. 

Watch Scottish artist Edward Campbell create the welcoming mural for the Toy Library.