Our team

Our library is run by a committee of volunteers, with the support of paid librarians. The faces behind the scenes keep us running and enable us to serve our community.

We are always looking for new committee members. Please reach out if this sounds like something you would be interested in!

Philippa Lee

President

Liz Wagenvoort

Secretary

Jo Hosking

Treasurer

Hi, Im Jo Hosking, mum of two boys (6 and 9) and a committee member of the toy library. We have been members of the toy library for over six years and we always find something new or our old favourites to borrow.

Rob Knowles

Grants

Kia ora everyone, I'm Rob Knowles and welcome to the Shirley Toy Library! I have 3 kids (7,5 and 3) 2 girls and a boy who all love our Toy Library. We first joined in 2020, my wife was on the committee first, before I took over the role in 2023. The kids are just as excited about rocking up to the toy library on a Saturday as they were the first time we visited! We have such a fantastic range of toys, catering for all ages of children. I am the grants officer for the Shirley Toy Library. As we are a not-for-profit organsiation registered at the charities office, this is an important role - I apply for funding to help keep the library running! Everything from librarian wages, to insurance, power and of course new toys! I look forward to seeing you about.

Ling Xu

Fundraising

Hey, I'm Ling and a Mum of a wee boy. My son loves to hire all different kinds of toys and it keeps him busy as he explores new toys every two weeks. This is where the Toy Library comes in handy! I became a member in 2023 and have enjoyed the many benefits it provides. In 2024, I will be taking on the role of fundraising to help support this amazing organizations growth.

Chris Greenlow

Officer

Hi there, I''m Chris Greenlow. I have 2 boys who love the toy library, even after over 5 years of use. Their favourite toys are the large dinosaurs, the pyramid board game, and anything Batman. When I was a kid my favourite toys were the large pedal cars and electric-powered cars – so of course they were the first toys I got out for my kids! I am currently volunteering on the committee as an officer after being president for over two years.

Kate Rayner

Officer

Hi there. Im Kate and I have one wee boy. We joined the Toy Library over 5 years ago after visiting a friend of ours who was a member. My son spent the whole time playing with a rocket ship that they had borrowed. I had never heard of a Toy Library before but we went down and signed up the very next week and we have never looked back. It became one of our weekly excursions and he was and still is so excited to come in and choose new and different toys on a regular basis. The Toy Library has been such a fantastic facility for us and from a sustainability point of view, I love the idea that toys are borrowed and shared rather than purchased. I am currently volunteering as an officer after being secretary for a few years.

Jen Shields

Librarian Supervisor

Hiya! I'm Jen and I have recently completed a master's degree in Child and Family Psychology at the University of Canterbury. While I don't have any children yet, I have a deep passion for children's development (especially through learning and play), so I find great joy in working at the Toy Library. In my role, I oversee the day-to-day running of the library alongside Brianna and Rebecca. We are here for all of your queries or concerns, with support from our amazing committee.

Brianna Fitzgerald

Librarian

Hi my name's Brianna, I am a mum to two beautiful kids. Toys are a big accessory in our house and I just love watching the way toys help imaginations bloom. The toy library has such an amazing selection and it so awesome to be a part of the team here at the toy library and seeing the kids faces light up with all the potential of play!

Rebecca Wylie

Librarian

Hello, I am Rebecca. I am a mum to two gorgeous boys, and we love the toy library! It’s such a blessing to have access to a wide range of toys that support individual interests at different ages and stages in our household. I love meeting people and getting to know you all as a perk of the job.