A lasting legacy of the New Deal is toy lending libraries, a project of the federal Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. Donated toys collected from families, schools, churches, merchants and manufacturers were first brought to a repair shop where WPA workers “rejuvenated” and sterilized the toys (“we loan toys, not germs”), then sent them to centers throughout the country. Children from low-income families could check out a toy from the library with the promise to return it in good condition.

Toy lending libraries saw a resurgence during the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, there are between 300 and 350 toy libraries, according to the US Toy Library Association. Most are in libraries; some in hospitals and preschools, some are mobile.

“There is no charge . . . either for the privilege of borrowing, breakage or delay in returning, explained Mrs. Margaret Fling, a present-day Toyrarian in San Diego. “This is really a character building project. We teach children to share their toys and to take care of property belonging to themselves and others.”

It’s been 90 years since the New Deal began. With your generous support, the spirit of the New Deal lives on.