Vision Boards and Arts: Library Contests for National Book Week and Library Week

Looking for a fun project for your library users on National Book Week and Library Week? Here's a solution: Vision Boards!

Vision boards are art projects that can be worked on by anyone, not just artists or those who have been doing art for a long time. There's no exact science to putting things together to make a creative concept, although some logical concepts can be applied.

Even if all you have are piles of old magazines and kraft paper, you can do a lot to make art by using these artworks.

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Vision Boards!

1. Is it a collage?

A vision board is like a collage in that the items pasted on one surface can be sourced from various materials, like old magazines, newspapers, brochures, and books. However, most collages have a specific theme, usually an event or an advocacy, whereas a vision board is all about motivation and having a goal in mind while collecting related materials to put together, collage-like.

2. Is it decoupage?

Decoupage is similar to a collage in that you also place verious materials on a flat surface. However, with decoupaging, the end goal is to make the materials cohesive so that they look like one design, whereas a collage or a vision board makes sure that each individual item you placed can be highlighted for its meaning and unique contribution to the whole. With decoupage, a varnish of some sort is applied over the final design.

3. What size is ideal for a vision board?

A vision board can be as small as a notebook page and as big as a mural. If all you have are tiny magazine clippings of quotes and meaningful words that motivate you and speak of your final goal, then you can use a piece of kraft paper, coupon bond, or a notebook page. Scrapbooks can be used as vision boards because they have the ideal flat surface, you can draw on them, and the page is made of pasting items.

So, what are the materials you as the librarian, teacher, or parent should prepare for when encouraging your uses to create a vision board?

A board - cardboard, spread-out folder, coupon bond, sketchpad page
old magazines - for cutting out letters, words, phrases, and even whole paragraphs of text and photos for the concept.
Sticky glue or paste - for sticking those cut-outs
Scissors - t cut paper
a blank wall - to display the vision boards

Why Every Library Needs a Hometown Authors Shelf and How to Promote Them

I have previously written about building a Local Authors Collection in a library in a previous post, How to Start a Local Authors Collection . Now, I will discuss further why this is mandatory for every library, especially public ones. All libraries often highlight international bestsellers—but what about the author who lives just down the street? A Hometown Author Shelf tells the story of your community, written by its own people. Local authors offer unique perspectives that national voices can’t. Their work may reflect regional issues, dialects, history, or folklore that rarely reach mainstream publication. Also, they don't have many followers, because they're just doing their thing and not getting much attention. This is where the library comes in. When patrons see familiar names or places in print, it deepens their emotional connection to both the library and literature. It says, “Your story matters here.” It also attracts local media attention, potential donors, and mo...

How to Start a Local Authors Collection in Your Library: 3 Steps

Looking to celebrate the voices in your own backyard? Starting a Local Authors Collection is one of the most meaningful ways to connect your library with its community. This will also promote your library to locals who may not have heard that your library is open and accessible to everyone! It will also send the message that you value your local authors and would like to work more with them in the future! Step 1: Audit! Begin with a simple audit: Do you already have hometown authors on your shelves? Create a list. Then, reach out to local writing groups, independent publishers, or universities—places where emerging writers often surface. Step 2: Curate! Don’t overlook self-published authors. Many have strong followings and are eager to share their work. Establish clear submission guidelines to ensure quality and consistency. Step 3: Promote! Highlight the new collection with shelf signage or a dedicated reading nook. Monthly features or “Local Author Spotlights” on social media also ...

How I Use My Starbucks Planner to Keep Myself Accountable

Let’s be honest: most of us buy those Starbucks planners because they’re pretty, not because we’re planning to become meticulous schedulers. At least, that was my initial intention—until I realized it could be the accountability tool I desperately needed. Now, my Starbucks planner is less about appointments and more about keeping track of my daily battles with self-discipline. Here’s how I use it to monitor three key areas of my life: resisting the urge to smoke, watching my calorie intake, and moving my body. 1. The Smoking Tracker This is the toughest section to fill out because it demands raw honesty. At the end of each day, I mark whether I resisted the urge to smoke—or if I gave in. There’s no judgment here (okay, maybe a little self-judgment), just a simple note: "Resisted" or "Gave In." I also jot down what triggered my cravings. Was it stress? Boredom? A sudden existential crisis while folding laundry? Writing it down helps me notice patterns, and when I...

Ruby Galvez, RL

Search This Blog