Parents fed-up over lack of children’s activities on offer

A Toowoomba mum is calling on council to reinstate the children’s program at the library out of fear kids are missing out.

MISSING OUT: Louise Delahunty with daughters Winnie (right) and Dot. Picture: Kevin Farmer

THE past 18 months have been challenging amid lockdowns and isolation.

And while many of us have returned to a relatively normal routine, some Toowoomba parents are fed-up with the lack of activities available for their young children.

When Louise Delahunty became a mum for the first time, she relished the time she spent with her baby Winnie at Toowoomba Regional Council’s City Library.

But with the library yet to reinstate its children’s program since restrictions eased, Ms Delahunty fears four-year-old Winnie, her nine-month-old daughter Dot and other children are missing out.

“I’ve been really frustrated since we’ve come into this Covid normal period because the library has essentially not resumed any activities,” Ms Delahunty said.

“When Winnie was a baby, we loved taking her to the library for activities like Rhyme Time and Story Time, and it’s really paid off – she’s a great reader and loves stories but I feel like we’re really missing out now.”

Local mum Louise Delahunty with daughters Winnie (left) and Dot, is asking Toowoomba Regional Council to reinstate the children’s programs and activities at the local library. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Ms Delahunty said she was confused that council had not reinstated the children’s program since restrictions had eased.

She said after six months of asking for the activities to return to the library, a story time session in the park had been offered.

“It’s not really an adequate replacement – it’s the middle of winter so it’s pretty cold and miserable outside, and the event has been cancelled last minute many times due to the weather,” she said.

“Other parents and I have contacted the library a lot and completed a survey … the results of that survey showed people do want these services, but nothing has changed.

“I would understand if they needed to cancel events because of Covid-19 but that’s not the reason – my friends go to events at the library in Dalby all the time and I know Ipswich just opened a new children’s library too … I just wish Toowoomba was providing these services for our kids.”

Toowoomba mother Louise Delahunty, pictured with her daughters four-year-old Winnie (left) and nine-month-old Dot, would like to see more activities at the library for her family. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Spending her own childhood in the local library, Ms Delahunty, who is also an English teacher, said the benefits of these activities were huge.

“We should be engaging young people to go to the library because it’s vitally important, especially when they’re young,” she said.

“Research shows reading to your kids every day is the best thing you can do – it carries them into adulthood and you see it in the classroom – kids who love to read are naturally better writers and have better comprehension.

“The library has really tried to push for online activities, but it’s such a mixed message because as parents you’re constantly told the kids shouldn’t have too much screen time and those activities were a great screen-free outing.”

Ms Delahunty said the library had also failed to put on its usual school holiday program.

She said the children’s area of the library was currently roped off and was less inviting than it used to be.

The Chronicle sought comment from the TRC and is awaiting a response.

MISSING OUT: Louise Delahunty with daughters Winnie (right) and Dot.