There’s something about duct tape that kids just love; it’s sticky, it’s silver, and it makes a satisfying “riiiiiip” sound when you tear it.
On June 22, Jenn Harmer, a children’s librarian at the Santa Maria Public Library, shared the joy of duct tape with a dozen local teens at Duct Tape-O-Rama!, a free event put on by the library’s youth services program.
“I’ve made duct tape roses and other simple stuff like that,” Harmer said. “And I’ve seen lots of kids come in with duct tape wallets, roses, and hair bows. The kids really like duct tape.”
So Harmer found a lesson on how to make duct tape wallets through the American Librarian Association and set up a free workshop at the library.
“I’m thrilled with the number of teens I have here right now,” Harmer said as she surveyed her students’ progress at the workshop.
Teens got to pick from traditional silver duct tape or various neon colors, and some even brought in their own decorated with penguins, tiger stripes, or cupcakes.
“It’s just fun to make,” Jeong-Soo Park said of the duct tape wallets. He slipped a completed Pokémon-themed wallet out on the table as an example. “This is the first one I designed about a year ago.”
Jeong-Soo also made one for his little brother, inspired by the iPhone game
Mega Jump.
“I weaved it together so it looked like a red-and-black checkerboard. It makes it really thick,” he said.
Duct Tape-O-Rama! was the first of several teen-centered events at the library this summer. Teen movie afternoons will be held at 3 p.m. on July 5 (Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), July 12 (Puss in Boots), July 18 (We Bought A Zoo), and July 26 (Hugo).
Families can come play Nintendo Wii together at the library on July 18 and Aug. 8 from 6 to 7 p.m. Only 20 spots are available, so sign-ups are required.
On Aug. 3 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., there will be a free Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament where teens can show off their gaming skills for the chance to win free prizes. Tickets for the event will be available starting July 18 at the library. Snacks will be provided.
For more information about upcoming events, visit ci.santa-maria.ca.us/210.shtml.
This article appears in Jun 28 – Jul 5, 2012.