Make a Library Card Holder

What You Need:

• 1 heavy card stock library card pocket (most local libraries are willing to donate one or two)
• Adhesive-backed scrapbook paper or colored duct tape
• About 1 ½ feet of narrow ribbon in your child's favorite color or pattern
• Metal eyelets
• Eyelet setter
• Single-hole punch
• Craft glue (optional)
• Markers, paint, stamps, stickers and other embellishments (optional)

What You Do:

1. If you don't feel that your library card pocket is sturdy or colorful enough on its own, reinforce it (especially the edges and corners) with colored duct tape or adhesive-backed scrapbook paper.
2. Punch two holes in the top left and right corners of the pocket's back flap. Leave about a half inch margin around each hole.
3. Reinforce the holes using the metal eyelets. Insert the barrel of an eyelet through each hole and use the eyelet setter to gently and evenly tap the eyelet into place.
4. Thread the ribbon through each eyelet and secure with a knot at the top to create a neck strap.
5. Have your child personalize the library card holder by adding embellishments like stickers or paint as desired. Go vintage! Utilize rubber stamps to imprint a special date on the front (your child's birthday or graduation day, perhaps) or use your computer to create a personalized barcode sticker for that authentic library touch. You can also simply find book-themed stickers or scraps to denote the pouch as a library card holder.

This fun project will not only breathe new life into the classic library card pocket, but provide a special place for her first “grown-up” library card.