Library program aims to have teens upcycling

Matt Bower
Posted 11/13/14

Why recycle when you can upcycle? That’s the theme of a new upcoming program for teens at the Warwick Public Library.

Through a series of four craft workshops in November and December, teens …

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Library program aims to have teens upcycling

Posted

Why recycle when you can upcycle? That’s the theme of a new upcoming program for teens at the Warwick Public Library.

Through a series of four craft workshops in November and December, teens will have the opportunity to turn everyday recyclables into “uncommon treasures.” All workshops will be held on Mondays at 3:30 p.m.

On Nov. 17, create mosaic pictures out of hardware store paint sample cards; on Dec. 1, trim and paint plastic soda bottles to make eye-catching animal planters; on Dec. 8, turn magazines into 3D murals for your locker or wall; and on Dec. 15, upcycle cassette tapes into secret compartments for your mp3 player, USB drive, and cash.

Technology librarian Evan Barta said the idea came from Kristin Munson, a graduate student at the University of Rhode Island in the Library & Information Science program. Munson is interning at the library, teaching computer classes and running programs for teens.

“I heard about it at school. It came up a lot and the other women there were really into it,” Munson said. “I wanted to use items that teens would have easy access to that the library would have ordinarily, such as soda bottles, magazines and cassette tapes.”

Munson said the cassette tape is a “really cool idea” because it can be used for many different things, especially USB flash drives.

She said she’s excited because this is her first program. As far as future programs, Munson said she’ll wait and see how this one goes first.

“We’ll see how this goes and see if there’s more interest in the tech or the crafts and go from there,” she said.

Munson said depending on how it goes, she may scale back future programs and gear them more toward the “tween” demographic of 11- to 14-year-olds, which would allow brothers and sisters of teens to join them.

Munson said part of her goal is to encourage more girls to get involved with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

“There are more girls coming in to use the library, but more boys use the technology equipment, so we want to encourage girls to get into technology,” she said.

Communication services librarian Wil Gregersen said you never know what the turnout will be when dealing with a new program.

“Other craft activities have been successful in the past,” he said, adding that about a dozen teens have participated in past projects.

While there is no registration deadline, Gergersen said the library would prefer if participants register by the day before a workshop to make sure there’s enough items available for participants.

Register online at warwicklibrary.org or call 739-5440, x4. For more information, call 739-5440,

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