Getting Crafty with It: Preservation Crafts as Outreach

Gabriel Hamer, Newberry Library

As library workers, we are often looking for ways to make libraries more engaging and accessible to our patrons. "Preservation crafts" can be an entry point into the wonderful world of libraries!

“Preservation crafts” is a loose term that covers any hands-on, easily teachable activity relating to bookmaking, book handling, or housing. They can be a good library outreach activity, engaging library users with library staff and doing a little education work along the way. Colleagues at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Libraries, for example, host book snake sewing events as a de-stress activity during finals week.

Even if you work in a department like mine that does not host events for patrons, offering preservation crafts to coworkers in other parts of the library can be a great way to acquaint them with preservation goals, book structures, and safe handling procedures. For instance, the conservation department at my library collaborated with staff from other departments to make poetry zines for our holiday party. It was a good chance to connect with coworkers from other departments, and we reviewed pamphlet stitching and how to use tools like awls and bonefolders.

Below are some possibilities for craft-based outreach, but the options are endless!

• Book snakes: These beanbag-like weights hold books open safely and can be made with relatively easy-to-find materials (quilting cotton, sewing thread, aquarium rocks). Sew all but one side up beforehand so that participants can fill the weights, sew them shut, and even add eyes and tongues for extra fun. Here’s an overview of their function from the Folger Shakespeare Library and a how-to from Iowa State University.
• Upcycling discards: Got way too many discards sitting around? Turn book pages into fun or seasonal origami designs! My department made table ornaments with old book pages, and it’s also a good way to use up scrap paper, outdated call slips, etc. Try this holiday star design video tutorial or this 3D origami heart for starters.
• Stitching sessions: Teaching people simple bookbinding stitches is a quick and easy craft. Participants can take home their own mini journals or notepads and learn a bit about book structure in the process. All you really need is paper, needles and thread, writing utensils, and awls (if available). The pamphlet stitch and stab binding are good for beginners (and people looking to jazz up their printed reading assignments for class).
• Zine making: If you’d like to hold a crafting event but are strapped for resources, zine making is a one-size-fits-all option. You’ll need paper, scissors, and writing utensils, but that’s about it! Your zines can be centered around a theme, participants can make collaborative zines, or you can ask people to bring in scraps and mementos to make collage zines. LA Zine Fest has instructions on making a classic 8-page mini zine.
• Mylar sleeves: If you have Mylar available, ask library users to bring in treasured hardcovers who need a bit of protection and show them how to make dust jacket covers! You’ll need bonefolders, marking tools, and a cutting mat (or board shears) to pull this off, but I find people are delighted with how easy it is to keep their special books in good condition. Here’s a video tutorial from the Ubiquitous Books blog – I find the section on protecting paper dust jackets most helpful.

One last thing: if you’re interested in hearing more about preservation crafts, register for the webinar Snakes in the Library! Book Snakes and Other Preservation-Related Crafts for Library Outreach on April 9th, 2025 at 10 a.m. We’ll be demonstrating hands-on crafts you can do and answering all your preservation crafting questions!

View additional articles in the Preservation Outreach and Engagement Series!