A Book a Week 2014. Week 33

Week of 18 August

Book-themed Book Cart!

Our library has a group of really old book carts that were so rusty and ugly that we were going to get rid of them. One of our staff suggested that we have a contest to make the ugly carts pretty. Our Rochester Public Library Friends of the Library is an amazing group, and they donated a little money for supplies.

We divided into groups, and my group decided to do "The Secret Garden" for a theme. Pretty AND awesome!

A Book a Week 2014. Week 32

Week of 11 August

Connor's Books

We took a quick 2-day trip to Chicago to see my best friend, Paula and her family. Her son Connor was about to leave for a year in Japan, studying ceramics. He learned that he needed to bring a bunch of little gifts to give people (teachers, hosts, new friends). I brought a basic tool/supply kit along so we could make some books for gifts.

This picture was right out our hotel window, looking toward Navy Pier. I like that you can see my Devon reading, and my Emeline taking the photo.

Connor wanted to include some Americana-like pages. He found a book at the gift shop that explained things like how the government works. I like to create books in which my supplies determine the shape. This is what I came up with:

We also made small books with other shapes and sizes and styles, some pamphlet, some Japanese, some stick-and-rubberband:

A Book a Week 2014: Made, Altered, Repaired. Week 30

Week of 28 July

Bag from Swag

Publisher Baker & Taylor attend all the MN Library Association Conferences. Librarians love them, not only for their fine books and services, but also for the swag they hand out at conferences:

Earless cat bags:

I took the above bag and turned it into a messenger bag: 

Front flap:

Front inside:

Back:

Inside pockets, even:

And here's this year's bag. I can't wait to bring it to the MLA Conference

Back:

Front:

Inside:

I wonder what this year's bag will bring?

A Book a Week 2014: Made, Altered, Repaired. Week 29

Week of 21 July

Bookworms

Yep, it's a thing.

I saw this donated book in the library garbage and was intrigued by the perfect holes (and disgusted by the mold):

 I just love it - the interesting tunnels those bookworms make.

Here are a couple more examples:

One from the Wikipedia page

and here's one from Blogger Ask Nicola

and University of Delaware Library Preservation page