Repurpose the Ordinary, a free event held recently at the Lower Macungie Library, taught its patrons the beauties of reuse.

The event was the brainchild of Carly Hustedt, the new adult programming coordinator for the library.

The event was the first original program she created since acquiring the position.

Hustedt based the idea on the adult summer reading theme at the library, which is escape the ordinary. She put her own spin on the theme and created a program that allows discarded books and magazines to be reused as picture frames, decorations, pencil holders, drink coasters, and other useful items.

Hustedt led a full house of attendees in the instructions on how to create bowls and photo frames using book and newspaper clippings, plastic bowls and papier-mâché-ready photo frames.

All materials were provided to the attendees free of charge. Additionally, take home instruction manuals for more crafts, such as vases, were distributed at the end of the program along with books and magazines ready to be reused.