Papercraft Handouts

I believe in empowerment through art. Making something new creates a sense of accomplishment. Some people find creating art a calming or meditative process. Art provides the creator with a sense of agency and ownership over their creation. In our uncertain lives, art is one thing we can control. Particularly with Blackout Poetry, this creation becomes a more obtainable process even when the artist feels they are not a writer; blackout poets can find a way to express themselves by building with the words crafted by another author. 

• Recycle Discards

Books are regularly weeded and discarded. They become worn or do not circulate and libraries need shelf space. Yes, they are recyclable in most areas, but only when covers are removed. Why not make something new and recycle the leftover pieces?

• Reduce Donations

Sadly, libraries cannot add every donation to the collection. Library book sales are a great option, but what happens to the books that do not sell? Storage and trash aren't the only options. Why not give them a new life?

• Reuse ARCs

Advanced Reader Copies of new releases are fabulous, but they cannot be sold or added to library collections. Why not reuse them and make something just as beautiful as the stories they share?

• Many written works are in the Public Domain. A plethora of these can be found on Project Gutenberg. 

• The First Sale Doctrine covers creating new works from book pages removed from a copyrighted work.  According to the Archives of U.S. Department of Justice:

"The first sale doctrine, codified at 17 U.S.C. § 109, provides that an individual who knowingly purchases a copy of a copyrighted work from the copyright holder receives the right to sell, display or otherwise dispose of that particular copy, notwithstanding the interests of the copyright owner."

• Fair Use is a bit of a gray area, but can cover publishing your own Blackout Poetry and reading it at events.