The National Association of Toy & Leisure Libraries (NATLL) was founded in 1972 and is the national body for toy and leisure libraries in the UK. We have used the campaign title Play Matters since 1983.

Our mission is to create and support high quality play opportunities, with our members, throughout the UK.

We do this by providing: advice and support, training, toy appraisal and information and ideas.

NATLL exists to support existing toy and leisure libraries, to promote the development of new toy and leisure libraries, and to raise awareness of the importance of play.

NATLL promotes its aims through its links with statutory agencies (central and local government) - health, education, social services, voluntary agencies working with children, families, and people with special needs, toy manufacturers, distributors and retailers and toy libraries in Europe and worldwide.

Our work is paid for by donations from grant-making bodies (charitable trusts, National Lottery Charities Board, etc.), donations and sponsorship from industry and commerce, donations from individuals, membership subscriptions and project and core grants from central government.

We believe that:

Every child has the right to play

Play is crucially important because it is the first step in children's education and development

Toy libraries provide vital opportunities for play to every child

Toy libraries play an active role in pre-school education and child development

Toy libraries support families and develop parenting skills