Help! How am I Supposed to FUND All this Art?
Tips for Acquiring Supplies for Library Arts and Crafts
Projects
Cathy Belben, Librarian
Burlington-Edison High School
Go through the library cupboards, closets, and drawers and inventory everything you have. Be honest with yourself about what you’re hoarding. If you can bear to part with items, put them in a “discard” box. Then go through the box and determine whether or not any of it could possibly be useful for crafts. Recycle everything you can—old gameboards, discarded books, stickers, everything can be made into something (at least in my world). See ReadyMade magazine for some great ideas.
The school newsletter that’s sent home to parents is a great way to gather materials. Ask for used art supplies as well as new items, and parents will donate. You can also approach local businesses about donating supplies (they’re most likely to help if it’s for a specific project, and preferably a service project of some sort). You might also send emails to your staff, asking for specific items.
Creating a rapport with the art teacher(s) in your building can be invaluable. Although I think it’s wise to be conservative in asking for materials, if you establish a good relationship with the art teacher, and find ways to help her/him as well, they may be willing to lend you supplies or offer you free discards they are getting rid of. I was able to get mat board scraps for book covers from the photo teacher this way, and my art teacher is in my debt because she actually wanted all those old National Geographics people are always giving me.
Just kidding.
ü You know that “FREE” junk sitting outside in front of people’s homes? Well, if you keep your eyes peeled, you can find old books, games, wood, plant pots, and other materials that you can drag into your library. I once claimed a free table that now serves as an art station.
ü A local frame store in Bellingham sets out a bin of discarded mat board that is perfect for making small book covers.
ü Michael’s Crafts sometimes discards old matboard, too.
ü Painting supply stores and interior decorating stores give away wall paper sample books all the time. I use them for book covers and cards.
ü The public library often has a bin of free books—great for altered books.
If you aren’t already doing it, you ought to take a trip to your local thrift store, if not for the craft supplies, then for the used books. I visit my local Goodwill(s) Value Village stores regularly and pick up all sorts of cool stuff, including many things I can use for arts and crafts project. And cheap!! Garage sales are also great.
Have a supply swap in the library and ask other teachers to bring in materials they aren’t using. Often you can find all sorts of things—old stickers, pens, used books, paper, etc—that can be put to creative use.
Michael’s Crafts, Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, and Craft Outlet offer regular 40% and 50% coupons in many Sunday papers. Use to buy books, more expensive supplies, and stock up gradually over time. A request for coupons in the parent newsletter and staff email can help you accumulate supplies. Value Village also has some coupon specials, and regular discounts at Goodwill can help you gather old game boards and pieces, discarded books, and fabric for crafts.
This is much more time consuming than many people realize, but it CAN be done if you set aside time to work on the applications. Some are easier than others—JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts recently offered grants of about $300 to classroom teachers for supplies, and the application wasn’t that overwhelming. Other sources can be found online, or you can try writing your own thorough description of a project you’d like to try, along with a budget and timeline, and approaching local businesses about donations. (You may need to establish a booster club with parents’ help in order to accept donations, but it will be worth it.)