It's like Santa's grotto – a treasure trove of toys – sitting smack in the middle of Te Puke.

'That's what my boys think,” says Monique Lints. 'Every fortnight we go to the Toy Library. They think it's Christmas every two weeks.”

There is always plenty of toys to enjoy. File photo.

It's Toy Library awareness week around the country, and Monique, the president of the Te Puke Toy Library, wants locals to know, experience and appreciate the delights in store there.

'I did a random survey of the general public and most of them don't know what a toy library is, don't know how it works and were just too scared to walk through the door.”

But it's simple. The Toy Library at 242/1 Jellicoe Street makes toys affordable.

'It was established to help people who can't afford toys.”

And children cannot afford not to have toys. They can assist a child's development.

'From 50 cents to $5 you will get a toy. Puzzles, ride-ons, slides, party stuff, bikes. You name it and we have pretty much got it.”

And with library toys they don't end up forsaken, they don't end up forgotten and under the bed.

Monique says as soon as the boys get bored with their toys, they go back to the library. 'They don't lose the magic this way. They get new ones.

'And apart from the practicalities, the Toy Library is a nice place to be. It's an addiction for me and I get so much pleasure from providing a little bit of joy for families who are struggling.”

The Toy Library is run by a librarian and a committee of nine mums, many of them working mums.

They fundraise and seek grants needed to operate the library. It also draws its funds from memberships and hireage.

At the moment Te Puke Toy Library has a membership of about 70.

'That's not bad but there's room for many more to have fun.”

Monique Lints and Te Puke Toy Library have some advice.

'Don't walk past, stick your head in. You won't regret it. It's May and it's still Christmas in Te Puke.”