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Scrapbooking: No Documents, No History

Photograph of an open scrapbook (Men’s League for Woman Suffrage, Miller Scrapbook, Library of Congress.) Collage and scrapbook material surround the book.

This teen or adult program uses Library of Congress women’s suffrage primary sources, such as letters, diaries, women’s self-published information sources and other ephemera, to examine how suffragists documented their activism and feelings on women’s rights and social issues of the time.

Program attendees use current magazines, newspapers, flyers, ephemera and personal effects to start their own scrapbook and create their own DIY personal history (that might become a future primary source!).

Dinovember Take & Make

Photograph of small multi-colored dinosaur toys.

This program was hosted in celebration of Dinovember, a month-long event where plastic dinosaurs come to life as children sleep. Children were given a take-and-make activity that included an egg-hatching challenge, one DIY dinosaur fossil craft, and a writing activity in which children filled out an official Dinosaur Adoption Certificate.

The writing activity helps younger kids practice or learn how to write their names, see how they look in print, etc., and let them get creative in naming their dinosaur.

Stuffed Animal Taxidermy

Photograph of three final Stuffed Animal Taxidermy boards. Left to right: Panda stuffed animal, Pink Leopard on pink board, Dog on green board

Stuffed Animal Taxidermy is a fun program for kids and teens. Using old, thrifted stuffed animals, kids can give their faux furry friends a new "life" by turning them into a DIY home decoration. 

Thanks to community donations and Amazon purchases, our youth had a blast at this in-person program. 

Constellation Cross-Stitch

Constellation Cross-Stitch program flier

Constellation Cross-Stitch is a beginner's class where patrons of all ages can learn basic techniques in cross-stitch and embroidery. Patrons utilize skills such as hand/eye coordination and hand dexterity, and they leave with a piece of handmade art for their home.

Escape This: Creating DIY Escape Rooms for Your Library

Escape/puzzle rooms are a popular way to incorporate gamification into your library. These interactive live adventure games appeal to all ages and abilities, and provide people with a chance to be a part of a story and their community as they problem solve.

You could hire a company to run your escape room, but the cost — plus the proprietary nature of their product — means that many libraries can only offer an escape room once, if at all. It's time to DIY!

Creating an Upcycled Jewelry Program

Upcycled jewelry program

If you have even the tiniest interest in crafting or DIY, you've probably heard the word "upcycling." Unlike recycling, which breaks down materials to be remade into a new product, upcycling maintains the original item but refashions it for a different (and valuable) use.

Some examples of upcycled items include drinking glasses made from wine bottles or baskets woven from plastic shopping bags. Upcycling items is a great way to go green. It keeps materials out of the trash and doesn’t require the energy recycling does.

Library for All

Library for All participant

Library for All is a monthly, systemwide, interactive program that welcomes adults with disabilities to make crafts, create art, play games and explore the library. Each program is tailored to the audience’s unique interests and ability levels. The programs encourage the DIY spirit, and each participant has the opportunity to make and take something.

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