Lewisham Toy Library History
We started providing services to the Lewisham community in 1972. The Lewisham Toy Library opened then for one 2-hours slot on Mondays for Lewisham childminders only. We were also serving up to 7 drop-in sessions for childminders in various community and church halls. This session was later also made available for residents.
Later, in 1998 we opened another session for Lewisham residents.
November 2000 opening of a Friday session
March 2001 opening of Saturday sessions (2-hour sessions, every Saturday)
June 2003 Opening of Thursday afternoon sessions but changing the Saturday sessions to only one per month (1st Sat/ month) for 6 hours.
October 2004 abolishing the Thursday afternoon sessions due to funding cuts.
October 2005 Opening of a satellite toy library in Deptford until 2008
January 2016 Move to the Lewisham Shopping Centre, Opening of the library to adjacent boroughs following the loss of any funding from the borough of Lewisham
Our recent history has been characterised by cuts to our funding, and we are now running leaner than ever.