Trash to Treasure: A Librarian’s Guide to Hoarding for Good

Wait! Don’t throw that! We could use it for…something.

If that sounds familiar, you must be a youth librarian. Creativity often sparks when something is about to get thrown out because we know that someone can probably use it at some point in the future. Some benefits of hoarding are budget-friendly crafts and programs, inspiration for families to do things at home, and recycling and reusing, which is great for the environment. Let’s talk about things we can hold onto and what we can do with them.

Hoarding – What to Keep

Amy Steinbauer wrote a great article for the ALSC blog a few years ago, so check that out. There are several ideas for things to look for that can easily be reused or repurposed.

Boxes! Kids love boxes—the bigger, the better! When our library recently received a shipment of new carts, I immediately declared, “No one throw that box out, please!” The box was nearly as tall as me, and I knew right away it would be perfect for a box-themed storytime. It may not sound like the most exciting theme, but boxes can be anything! I asked our staff to save any boxes that came their way for a couple of weeks, and now we’re set to have an amazing time turning them into all sorts of creations in storytime next week.

Paper scraps and old magazines? Perfect for mosaic art!

Toilet paper rolls? We start collecting them months in advance because the craft possibilities are endless—think giant crayons, binoculars, bee houses, hanging bees, kaleidoscopes, and more!

Bottle caps and lids? With a little planning, they become mosaic art, adorable bugs, wind chimes, keychains, and beyond.

Tissue boxes? They transform into surprise boxes, silly monsters, musical instruments—you name it!

You get the idea—these “throwaway” items are worth saving!

Where to Store Things

In my opinion, the biggest hurdle when hoarding potential craft items is storage. Space (or the lack of it) plays a huge role in deciding what to keep and what to toss.

Toilet paper rolls are easy to collect but bulky to store. I usually gather them in a large trash bag, tucking it under a desk until they’re needed. Since they take up so much room, I only ask staff to donate them when I have a specific craft planned—this ensures they’ll be used up quickly.

Boxes are even trickier. They take up a ton of space, making long-term storage unrealistic. My recent box-themed program was a spur-of-the-moment idea, but I knew I could use the boxes within a couple of weeks. Right now, they’re filling up our youth services office, but since they’ll be gone soon, I’m not too concerned. Bottle caps, on the other hand, are a dream to store. They take up almost no space and can easily be tossed in a drawer, making them a great item to keep on hand for future crafts.

If your library has a basement or extra storage space, even better! I sometimes stash supplies there for later use, whether for a creation storytime, a maker cart, or another hands-on program. The possibilities are endless!

What are some reusable craft items you like to keep on hand?

The post Trash to Treasure: A Librarian’s Guide to Hoarding for Good appeared first on ALSC Blog.

 Wait! Don’t throw that! We could use it for…something. If that sounds familiar, you must be a youth librarian. Creativity often sparks when something is about to get thrown out because we know that someone can probably use it at some point in the future. Some benefits of hoarding are budget-friendly crafts and programs, inspiration for families to do things at home, and recycling and reusing, which is great for the environment. Let’s talk about things we can hold onto and what we can do with them. Hoarding – What to Keep Amy Steinbauer wrote a great article for the ALSC blog a few years ago, so check that out. There are several ideas for things to look for that can easily be reused or repurposed. Boxes! Kids love boxes—the bigger, the better! When our library recently received a shipment of new carts, I immediately declared, “No one throw that…
The post Trash to Treasure: A Librarian’s Guide to Hoarding for Good appeared first on ALSC Blog.  Read More

ALSC Blog