[SLI-public] sustainable children's swag

[Hazel Onsrud]

I, personally, due to my privilege, have found most SWAG, "stuff we all get" to be annoying and detrimental at a certain point. However, there is something to be said for "stuff we all need (and don't all get)".  Certainly, needs of kiddos everywhere are not being met and this could be an opportunity we could use to do so.

On that note, I have given all of the following to children (with great returns of delight, as long as I sell it appropriately). (However, I've only been involved with a few on a library level. 😉)


  *
Food (watch out for allergies, non-edibles etc...)
     *
"weird" vegetables and fruits (from our local gleaners) (You can always attach a logo, silly face, stone soup tale or a seasonal recipe etc.)
     *
seed packets (edible flowers (parts) etc.)
     *   plant cuttings
     *   local granola, pretty beans or other local food products, especially those tied to a story
     *   farmer's market gift certificates
  *
Various forms of poop (always a kid crowd-pleaser):
     *   worm castings (with an explanation card and vegan fruit gummies, or real worms)
     *   elephant poo/ or a more local derivative paper
  *
writing instruments
     *
USA-made soy crayons
     *
sidewalk chalk
     *   biodegradable recycled pencils with no wood or plastic used
  *   free book from our local used book store (filled with donations and our discards)


Potentially more useful for program swag or items to brand and purchase?

  *
Little sun solar lamp (or similar ones)
  *
Reusable bags they can color with natural dyes at your program or with a kit from you
  *
eco compostable and electric compatible play dough
  *   really good quality water bottles that are customizable to need (like kleen kanteen etc..)
  *   clothing (biodegradable organic fair-trade socks, shirts etc...)
  *   locally made vegan organic self-care items (but honestly, I mostly stay away from these due to individual needs and allergies) (hand sanitizer, tooth paste, lotion, chapstick ...)
  *   eco tape, glue and other items one needs to make their own books (and every other craft project)

There are plenty more in each of these categories (like wooden yoyos or fort kits etc... but I would think those are still better to lend in your collection rather than create a bundle of and give out as they are not consumable.)

Hoping you folks all have other ideas we can copy!


Hazel Onsrud  | Ms./Mx./she/her/they/them |  Adult Services Librarian

Curtis Memorial Library<https://curtislibrary.com/>  |  The public library in Brunswick, Maine<https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/wabanaki-confederacy/> & a Climate Resilience Hub<https://www.climatecrew.org/resilience_hubs?locale=en>

207.725.5242 ext. 228 | hazel at curtislibrary.com

Check out our Library of Things<https://curtislibrary.com/adults/library-of-things/> and ask us how we're working to support the Sustainable Development Goals<https://librarymap.ifla.org/>.

Yes, we're part of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative<https://sustainablelibrariesinitiative.org/> and have submitted our story to the IFLA Map<https://librarymap.ifla.org/>. Join us!

________________________________
From: SLI-Public <sli-public-bounces at lists.suffolknet.org> on behalf of Emily Spizzirri via SLI-Public <sli-public at lists.suffolknet.org>
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2023 5:09 PM
To: sliadmin--- via SLI-Public <sli-public at lists.suffolknet.org>
Subject: [SLI-public] sustainable children's swag

Does anyone have any recommendations for branded sustainable swag that is geared more towards the younger (children's) demographic?

Thanks!
Emily

Emily Spizzirri
Community Engagement and Sustainability Coordinator
Public Services Pages Supervisor
Patchogue-Medford Library
54-60 East Main Street
Patchogue, NY 11772
631-654-4700 ext 287
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