In the New Models module, what stood out to me was the emphasis on promoting creativity and art in the library. I have several creative hobbies including hand embroidery and crochet. In my experience, creative hobbies can often be solitary activities. However, they can also be a way to create connections with others over shared interests. For example, there have been several instances where I was working on a project at the coffee shop and a stranger came up to me to ask questions.
Libraries Foster Community Through Art
A great example of community created through creativity was given in the video: Beyond Books: An Art Studio in a Library (NLB Singapore, 2023). This video explores the library@orchard, a library in Singapore, where they host an artist residency program. Lynn Koh explains how the program is able to “provide a free space for up and coming designers to work from. It is also a way to connect with members of the public who may have an interest in design” (NLB Singapore, 2023, 1:50-2:02). One of the artist’s in residence, Natalia Tan, does Saori weaving. With her assistance, the library hosted weaving events each month, inviting the community to weave their own projects. The projects were put on display in the library in an exhibit called “Tactile Tales: Islands of Memory.” I think this is a great example of how libraries can use art to help create connections amongst library patrons and make patrons feel like they are contributing to the library.
Libraries Make Arts and Crafts Accessible
Creative hobbies can be expensive. I speak from experience. I have dabbled in several creative hobbies and they all require some investment of money. For example, for sewing, this may include a sewing machine, sewing needles, pins, thread, scissors, tape measure, fabric, marker/chalk, notions (buttons, zipper, etc.), and the list goes on. Not to mention, art classes can be expensive! I appreciate that libraries are making arts and crafts accessible.
Research for these blog posts have given me the chance to explore my local library services. The Hennepin County Library allows you to filter the events page search by “Arts and Crafts” and there are many creative classes offered which can be found here (Hennepin County Library, n.d.-a). One that catches my eye is the Minneapolis Central Craft Club, a weekly event that invites adults to “craft and create with your library community” through “knitting, crochet, embroidery, hand-sewing, and papercrafts” (Hennepin County Library, n.d.-b). What I really appreciate is that the event is free and the library provides the necessary supplies (Hennepin County Library, n.d.-b). I’ve been looking at this event for a while and one day will muster up the courage to go.
I’m feeling inspired to visit the library for some arts and crafts. If you are wanting to try a new hobby without the investment, I recommend checking out events at your local library.
References
Hennepin County Library. (n.d.-a). Events [Events webpage, search filtered by “Arts and Crafts”]. https://hclib.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?_gl=1*dtznur*_ga*MTQxNjYwODM2NS4xNzg1Njg1NzEw*_ga_HJ2JEWCJY3*czE3OTI5NDQ2ODMkbzEyJGcxJHQxNzkyOTQ0OTUxJGo2MCRsMCRoMA..&types=56f9a08d414af7d2590468ee
Hennepin County Library. (n.d.-b). Events: Minneapolis central craft club: Sunday, October 25, 2026. Retrieved October 25, 2026 from https://hclib.bibliocommons.com/events/6aa4833a3dd190003e71585e
NLB Singapore. (2023, March 23). Beyond books: An art studio in a library: The library report #29 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VvOGviPic8&t=880s
@littlelibrarian these examples are so good to demonstrate what the creative arts might look like in the library setting. It reminds me that long ago it was just children’s crafts, and now you can watch an artist creating at a library or participate in programming where you learn To make some kind of art. I love this area of library programming and service.