'Smash books' created at Callaway County library

Fulton High School senior Marshall Gibson shows off his "smash book" Friday afternoon at the Callaway County Public Library. Gibson designed the cover to emphasize his upcoming May graduation date and fashioned a strap to keep the book closed.
Fulton High School senior Marshall Gibson shows off his "smash book" Friday afternoon at the Callaway County Public Library. Gibson designed the cover to emphasize his upcoming May graduation date and fashioned a strap to keep the book closed.

The Callaway County Public Library provided an outlet for creativity Friday afternoon.

Children's librarian Jerilyn Hahn provided all of the materials for attendees to create their very own "smash book." The concept is a cross between a scrapbook and a journal, and Hahn got the idea to bring the event to Fulton after seeing it at the library's Columbia branch.

"Back in the day, journaling was viewed as more of a girl thing, but now, people are seeing that it's for people of all ages and all sexes," Hahn said.

Hahn said this event was to hopefully draw a teenage crowd to get more involved at the library. She said the library tries to host one event each month to draw a younger crowd.

Ten participants gathered in the library's Friends Room to get creative. Hahn had a number of finished scrapbooks, photo collages and other smash books on display for those who needed a boost of inspiration.

"I'm just thankful for everyone that showed up. I was worried I was going to be making smash books in here all alone," Hahn said.

One table was filled with a variety of different notebooks, journals, composition books, empty photo albums, empty three-ring binders and much more. Another table was filled with crafting items like tape, glue, stickers, wallpaper scraps and more.

Hahn has utilized her smash books for inspirational quotes, literature, photographs, recipes and personal stories. Fulton High School senior Marshall Gibson did not have a specific way he wanted to use his book in mind but said he planned on keeping it "open ended."

"I went with a blank graduation book because I'm graduating this coming May, so I thought it was fitting. I try and pay attention to what's going on at the library, and this seemed like fun to me," Gibson said.

The concept is named a smash book because oftentimes the items glued inside of the books will require the creator to smash the book together to hold everything inside, Hahn said. The one rule she had for the event's participants was there were no rules in making a good smash book.

In one of Hahn's smash books, she dedicated much of the space to her now-adult children. She wrote a story about teaching her sons how to cook and then wrote down some of their favorite recipes from when they were children.

"They're grown, they've moved away and have children, so it's just kind of fun to keep track of stuff like that," Hahn said.