Creative Library Programming on a Dime: Low-Cost Ideas for the New Year

As libraries finish up summer reading programs, fall planning for many library professionals is already underway. One question is how can library staff create creative and engaging programming in low- and no-cost ways while keeping budgets in mind.

In the July TLA webinar “Dollars and Cents, Making the Most of Programming on a Dime,” speakers Dr. Karina Quilantan-Garza (Dr. Q), from Sam Houston State University and Linda A. Martinez from PSJA Early College High School shared practical, low-cost programming ideas which also provide fun activities to students and create community involvement.

According to Dr. Q, “These programs were inspired by the whole idea of sustainable programs and not just sustainability in the sense of repurposing and recycling but also cost-effective ways that librarians can bring fun and imaginative programs to their school library.”

Upcycled Crafts and Creative Reuse

In the webinar, Dr. Q and Linda discussed how the activities centered around these guiding principles:

• Sustainability
• Educational Value
• Accessible and Inclusive
• Community Involvement
• Teacher Resourcefulness
• Creativity and Innovation

Because their district implemented United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Dr. Q and Linda discussed how discarded items like old encyclopedias and weeded books can easily transform into creative projects such as pressed-flower bookmarks, blackout poetry, and vibrant wall art.

A Year of Fun Projects

Dr. Q talked about how “We were trying to come up with like a school year, a calendar of maker spaces and cost effective programming for for, you know, DIY kits and just different ways that we could extend the maker aspect with either content lessons or just different events throughout the school year.”

For example during holidays, stations could be set up in the library for fun hands-on activities using simple items to create coffee filter snowflakes or cardboard haunted houses. Each station would have directions on how to create that activity. Kids were having fun and as Dr. Q said, “It’s about being creative and not feeling bogged down by testing.”

Strategic Community Partnerships

Dr. Q and Linda also discussed how local businesses and other organizations are open to either coming to the library or supporting through donated items when approached with enough lead time. Here are a few of the strategies:

• Early Outreach: When reaching out to local restaurants, shops, and theaters, try to give two to three months in advance along with an official request letter which helps to secure reading incentives, event supplies, or field trip passes.
• Targeted Micro-Grants: When requesting supplies through platforms like DonorsChoose, Dr. Q said that small grant requests under $250 often see higher funding success.
• Service Collaborations: Projects could benefit a local animal shelter or community volunteers can come to present practical life-skills workshops.

Linda talked about one project, “We partnered up with the local dog shelter in our community and they said they needed toys and dog food. We made toys for the dogs using old t-shirts.”

Low-Tech Community Connection

Dr. Q and Linda incorporated hands-on activities to help students unwind during testing or connect without screens. Dr. Q and Linda talked about simple setups in the library:

• Monthly passive craft table during lunch
• Relaxation session before heavy testing periods

Ready to Explore New Ideas?

• [Watch the full webinar recording] on the TLA Learning Hub for complete session insights and project ideas as well as other library focused webinars on different topics.
• [Download the 1-Page Idea Guide] for a quick-reference sheet of all low-cost project ideas.

To hear more stories and ideas from libraries across Texas, listen to the Libraries Transform Texas podcast and browse past episodes in your favorite podcast app.