Due to public libraries' mission, they are a proper place for toy libraries. The diploma thesis presents a comparative analysis of nine toy libraries in Slovene public libraries. Besides the Dr France Škerl library and the Nova vas Children's library, which have the longest tradition and most toys in Slovenia, the analysis includes the following libraries: the Kočevje library, the Ljubno library, the Public library Velenje, the Litija library, the Dr Jakob Zupan local library in Šentvid, the Maks Samsa library in Ilirska Bistrica and the Komenda library. The second purpose of this diploma thesis is to find out the advantages and disadvantages of toy libraries in public libraries. In April 2016, an online survey was conducted. 182 parents of preschool and primary school children took part in it and nine interviews with librarians were made. The results show that most parents do not use toy libraries, even though the library they go to offers this possibility. Parents see the advantages of toy libraries mainly in the possibility of quality leisure time spending, money saving and consumption reduction. The disadvantages are the possibility of spreading infectious diseases and the need of parent control. The majority of librarians believe that the advantages of toy libraries from users' viewpoints are connected mainly with money saving, because quality toys are expensive and children quickly get bored of toys or outgrow them. According to the librarians, the disadvantages of toy libraries are connected with the need of financial resources, trained staff, adequate space and more work for librarians because they need to include toys into the library's collection. Public libraries with toy libraries offer children and their parents a possibility of group play and hanging out; in this way a child's need for relaxation, fun and learning is fulfilled. Play is of key importance for the development of a child and also their right.
|
