TLA 2025- Alchemy Academy: Recycling Weeded Books for Programming Gold

The Texas Library Association 2025 Annual Conference Theme is “Library Renaissance- Our Quest for Renewal”, so my proposed program, “Alchemy Academy: Recycling Weeded Books for Programming Gold”, formerly known as “Rags to Riches: Recycling Books for Fun, Fashion, and… Furniture??!!?!” fit right in.

This iteration of “Rags to Riches…” focuses on easy, economical programs that can be done with library patrons of many ages, but especially teens and older, in manageable time spans (30 minutes to 3 hours).

Some topics covered:

Book Flowers- Simple flats, Carnations, Spiral Rosettes, & Kusudama

Book Centerpieces- Book Stacks & Loop de Loop Book Folds with wire shapes

Book Beads

Christmas Ornaments- Triskele Globes, Accordion Fold Disks

Check back for tutorials on these projects and more.