Let’s All Make Books!
Making Books by Hand with the Book Arts Roundtable

Saturday, December 13, 2008
1:00 - 4:00 pm

Main Library
Second Floor, Centennial Hall
5 Washington Street
Newark, New Jersey
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Visitors of all ages are invited to drop in between the hours of 1:00 and 4:00 pm to learn and practice a variety of basic bookmaking and paper-folding techniques. The event is a hands-on, "make and take" experience at the end of which participants will be able to take home their creations, as well as instructions for making further books on their own. The event emphasizes bookmaking by hand as a fun, affordable, creative activity that requires nothing more technologically advanced than a pair of scissors or glue stick.

Through activity stations, members of the Book Arts Roundtable will demonstrate six different book-making techniques or processes, then assist visitors as they try the techniques themselves. Each station requires approximately 30 minutes for visitors to learn the technique, and create their own project. Among the techniques and different types of books to be made are: one-sheet books, accordion-fold books, and star books. For visitors who are 12 years of age or older and looking for something slightly more advanced, a basic sewn-binding technique known as "Japanese stab" binding will be demonstrated and practiced.

Participants also will have an opportunity to learn about the activities and resources available through the Book Arts Roundtable, and view works created by members of the roundtable exhibited specifically for the occasion.

About The Book Arts Roundtable

The Book Arts Roundtable is an organization of book and paper artists and enthusiasts from throughout the New Jersey region, which meets monthly at the Baird Center in South Orange. Through meetings, instructional workshops, exhibitions, information exchanges and collaborations, the Roundtable encourages play, exploration, growth and creative expression in the areas of book and paper art.

This event is presented in conjunction with the exhibition, More Than Words: Artists' Books and Book Art from the Special Collections of the Newark Public Library, on view now through January 4, 2009, in the Third Floor Gallery of the Main Library.

The Newark Public Library acknowledges and thanks Karen McDermott and other participating members of the Book Arts Roundtable for generously volunteering their time and expertise.

These programs are free and open to the public.
Materials will be provided at no charge.