Play Lab ➡️ Play Library

join us on the next adventure!

Play Lab has been quiet lately because it seems like the project is coming to its natural sunset. Thanks to everyone who has played, followed along, and been enthusiastic about the idea: it was a fun 10 years!  Play Lab was me (Allie) and a few teachers who helped run the after school programs in 2018-2019. I’m grateful for the community partners who took a chance on a preschool teacher with a station wagon full of cardboard :)

It’s ok for things to end, and Play Lab has already provided some compost for another project that is bubbling up: Play Library. I’ve been working on how to launch Play Library for a few months now, and I’m excited to tell you more about it (if you’re interested!) and gather some help to make it happen.

Play Library is a community owned toy library: we’ll have a catalog of toys that members can check out, play with at home, and return to the library. You can read more about the vision here.

If you’d like to follow along with regular emails as Play Library grows, you don’t have to do anything: you’re now subscribed to the Play Library email list. If you have no interest or don’t like too many emails, you can unsubscribe below, and follow along on instagram.

One big idea with Play Library is to build in public: I believe that a lot of people beyond Bellingham and Whatcom County (maybe you!) would like to see how a community toy library is built from the ground up, and perhaps be inspired to launch your own. As we build, we’ll create resources for others to launch their own libraries. If you are in Bellingham, these occasional emails will keep you in the loop on all the pieces of the story: building our toy catalog, launching memberships, and creating community centered around playful childhoods.

This is the very beginning, and it will go very slowly if it is just me: the intention is for this to be community owned. Participation will be key. If you have any interest in the library and would be willing to donate a bit of your time (irl or url) to what is clearly an excellent idea, please send me a note. You can also participate by sending this post along to your playful friends!

If you’re sad about Play Lab, fear not: Play Library will almost certainly have some pop-up play events as we spread the word.

Thank you for your time, support, and belief in play 💛