A lot of people fail to realize that there’s more to a library than books. Through Craft Happy Hour, the Urbana Free Library serves as a community center, bringing people together one craft at a time.
It all started when Carol Inskeep, a programmer for Craft Happy Hour and librarian, had the idea to create a free, easy-to-attend program for adults. They had done programs for families and children before, but none specifically for adults. That’s when the idea for an arts and crafts program for a more mature audience came to fruition.
Now, Craft Happy Hour takes place in the library on the first Wednesday of every month from 6-7 p.m.
It doesn’t require any registration, experience or materials. All one needs to do is show up, and that is possible thanks to donations from The Idea Store.
Located in the Lincoln Square Mall, the Idea Store is an organization committed to advocacy for “Creative Reuse,” a means of reusing non-traditional materials to create art and educational projects. They believe that reusing materials to make art not only encourages community but is also economically and environmentally sustainable. There, you can find donated creative materials for projects like jewelry making, sculpting, clothing and more.
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Through the Urbana Free Library’s collaboration with the Idea Store, crafters are able to use donated materials to create something beautiful.
Beyond creating art, the hour people spend at the library also fosters connection.
“It’s good accountability to see friends,” said Jacqueline Price, a recurring participant.
Craft Happy Hour is a good way to not only explore one’s creativity, but also to interact with friends, explained Brooklyn Durst, a grad student studying community health and a recurring participant.
“I like making crafts, I like doing art, and I like meeting people, and this is the only time I get to see some of my friends,” Durst said.
For others, a space where one’s creativity can flow is a peaceful way to spend leisure time. Emma Cottrell, a recurring participant, said Craft Happy Hour is an opportunity to see her friends and relax while having fun. The three participants sat together all night, crafting, laughing and catching up.
Inskeep is thankful for the people like Price, Durst and Cottrell who continue to attend Craft Happy Hour. At first, she wasn’t sure whether the event would last long-term, but the event’s demand kept rising over time. Inskeep explained that as the event gained popularity, the library knew it had to continue hosting it.
Annie McManus, president of the board of directors for the Idea Store, explained how people began to anticipate the hour of craft time.
“People begin to look forward to it. So, people put it on their calendar, and whatever is being offered, they show up,” McManus said. “It’s nice, and it’s been really fun.”
As more people attend and go back to Craft Happy Hour, the sense of community it fosters grows stronger.
Inskeep explained that many people attend because it’s the only opportunity for them to employ their craft skills. She recalled multiple conversations where people expressed their inability to create art.
“People told me, ‘I never have the chance to do stuff like this, ’” Inskeep said. “Lots of students came, and lots of people who don’t have money to do projects, or who don’t make that time for themselves to do something creative.”
At Craft Happy Hour, people go with the intention to make art. But sometimes, they may leave with more than one delightful thing: togetherness.
The Urbana Free Library and the Idea Store’s partnership has allowed the library to become a space for more than books. Through programs like Craft Happy Hour, it’s brought people together.
“I think in the past, people thought of the library as books,” Inskeep said. “More and more, the library is serving the role as this community space where people can hear music, see and create art, talk to each other about their writing or hear local writers, and where people can hang out.”
