Editorial: Toys Go 'Round is too good of a program to let it end

Toys Go 'Round first opened its doors in April of 1992.  Several child care providers wanted to provide a variety of toys for the young children in their care and felt that all children should have the opportunity to learn through playing with a variety of different toys.

In 26 years, the program has grown to where it now has almost 1,500 toys in its library.  It's been successful, but now it faces its greatest challenge--the Decorah Library Board is ending TGR's lease as of March of 2019.

We'll skip over the irony of the Library Board saying the library needs the space for children's programming and concentrate on what you and other members of the public can do to help:

1.    Submit suggestions for a new location for Toys Go 'Round. To continue its operation, TGR needs a welcoming space with affordable rent and utilities or a space that could be used for a nominal fee. The Board is eager to receive any promising leads and will be formulating a committee of individuals to identify and research possible locations.
2.    Tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers about TGR's mission and services.  TGR is a unique organization. Tell others. More members will only make us stronger. New toys continue to be added to circulation.

3.    Advocate for TGR.  Let the Decorah Public Library Board of Trustees and the Decorah City Council hear about the positive impact TGR has had on the community.  Contact the Decorah Public Library Board of Trustees in writing at 202 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA 52101.
4.    While vacating the library space is a significant obstacle, the TGR Board hopes that a move to a different location will make way for new partnerships with other organizations. Working together with other organizations was a founding premise of TGR.
5.    The TGR Board is looking for members who may have special talents, connections, services, and ideas that they might be willing to put toward envisioning TGR's future. If you have strengths in fundraising, grant writing, or community organizing, contact Toys Go Round.

Toys Go Round can be contacted by e-mailing tgrlibrary@yahoo.com, by calling (563) 277-5184 and leaving a voicemail, or by visiting during normal hours of operation (Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.)