Hoboken Kids Have New Place To Play For Free: Toybrary/Teen Zone

HOBOKEN, NJ — On winter days when it's far too cold to bring kids to the playground, parents and caregivers in Hoboken struggle to keep them busy, particularly in a city full of small apartments. This past September, the Hoboken Public Library opened a space four days a week where young children can enjoy open play in a wide room, and where, at separate times, teens can read, chat, or use video games.

The "Toybrary" is located in a former brownstone at 256 Fifth St., adjacent to the Hoboken's main library branch at 500 Park Ave. The city purchased the neighboring building in summer of 2018 and began moving administrative offices from the main library into it. (The main library itself was built in 1897.)

The Toybrary is a room with a colorful mat, toys, and books, almost all of which were donated by the community. The room has separate hours for teens. When the room is used for small kids, it's recommended for those 10 and under, and when it's for teen use, it's recommended for 12 and up. But those are just suggested ages, and sometimes siblings hang out with their younger brothers and sisters.

The space debuted in July 2019 one day per week, then went to four days in September. For young kids, it's open Monday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For the "Teen Zone," the hours are Tuesday through Thursday 3 to 6 p.m. and Friday 3 to 5 p.m.

On some days when schools are closed, it's open all day for young kids, but not on holidays when the main library is closed.

"Play is super important," said children's librarian Ashley Hoffman, who is among those to supervise the Toybrary. "There are not a lot of places in town where you can come for free, play, and hang out. When kids are playing with a toy, they're thinking about what color it is, how it feels. They're sharing the toys; they're doing math. Their brains start to work."

"The kids have a good time," said library marketing director Mark Curiale. "And the adults get to speak freely with other adults."

The Toybrary is visited most by kids 4 and under, who love the puzzles, said Hoffman. When the teens come, they play video games, do their homework, or read. There are age-appropriate books that they're allowed to keep.

Hoffman said that the room usually hosts approximately 50 kids a day. The busiest times for small children are Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Hoffman said that they welcome donations of more toys, especially wooden toys (particularly the Melissa and Doug brand). They aren't interested in stuffed animals, battery-powered toys, anything that's a choking hazard, and noisy toys (except for instruments).

There is one noisy toy they're not fond of: the duck on wheels. They keep this particular toy around because kids love it, Hoffman said, but it can be grating to hear all day.

"It goes, 'Wa wa wa waaaaa'," she said. "And it goes the whole time."

She added, "It's fine. It's become a running joke."

She said the kids always find it immediately, no matter which shelf they put it (hide it) on.

Parents have asked for more hours and weekend hours, but Hoffman said that this is unlikely to happen soon. Besides a lack of staff to watch the kids, they'd need maintenance staff members to keep the building open after hours.

But Hoffman said it's a valuable resource. In the past, she noted, library children's programs like storytime would sell out. Now, kids on the waiting list can still come hang out at the Toybrary.

Kids who use the downtown library branch at 124 Grand St. don't miss out; every Wednesday at 1 p.m., the staff brings the toys there, filling the main room for them to play.

And for those who need to know: the Toybrary does have a bathroom with a changing table, Hoffman confirmed.

To find out more about library programs, check out HobokenLibrary.org or call 201-420-2346.

Have news in Hoboken? Email caren.lissner@patch.com.