Considered one of the most versatile tools in a household, duct tape is now one of the most popular art mediums at the Patch Library. After a successful duct tape trick-or-treat bag-making session last October, Librarian Tracie Miller decided to host another event with the sticky stuff on Jan. 26.
“We thought this would be a way to engage the teenagers and focus their creative energies,” Miller said. The library provided an array of colorful tape and a few basic instructions for the do-it-yourself activity.
Originally created during World War II to keep moisture out of ammunition cases, duct tape has gone far beyond household repairs. It has developed an cult following and is a popular material for crafts, decorations, clothing and accessories.
Patch Library’s “Ductigami” attracted a wide range of participants from kindergartners to entire families.
It was a logical progression for Aidan Oldmixon, 9, who has practiced origami — the Japanese art of paper folding. He and his sister, Sage, 6, spent the afternoon constructing wallets. “I’ve never done any origami … except I’m good at folding things. This is so much fun,” Sage said.
Patricia Hübschman brought her children, Sophia, 14, Kurt, 12, and Kenzie, 8, to the event. “We’ve never done this before, but we love all the things the library does,” Hübschman said. The library is doing a lot of things these days.
For movie lovers, the library offers a foreign film club the third Sunday of every month. Silvio Soldini’s “Days and Clouds” will be shown Feb. 19 at 3 p.m., and patrons are invited to discuss the film afterward. Continuing on that theme, an Oscar trivia contest will be offered Feb. 20-23 and an Oscar movie weekend is scheduled for Feb. 25-26.
Other programming includes the Family Book Club on March 25 with activities based on the book “Chasing Vermeer.” Patrons can make their own greeting cards on April 14 in celebration of National Card Making Day.
On-going programs include a story time every Thursday at 11 a.m. and an after-school Gaming Club that meets every Thursday.
For more information, call 430-5232/0711-680-5232. A complete list of library activities, is available on the USAG Stuttgart Family and MWR webpage at www.stuttgartmwr.com.