Bookworms cultivate creative fundraiser for Blaine Public Library

A Blaine nonprofit organization is transforming retired Whatcom County Library System totes into Bookworm Bins as a fundraiser for Blaine Public Library.  The partnership between Blaine CORE and the Friends of Blaine Library keeps plastic out of the landfill, creates healthy gardens, connects community members with nature and raises funds to support library programs. The worm bins are $50, and all funds are donated to the nonprofit Friends of the Blaine Library.  

Kelle Rankin-Sunter, founder of Blaine CORE (Community Organization for Resources and Education), came up with the idea after Blaine Public Library manager Jonathan Jakobitz asked what she thought could be done with library totes that are being discarded. The old plastic totes, which are used to transfer material among county libraries, are being replaced due to cracks and broken lids. Library system administrators wanted to keep the totes out of the landfill and asked branch managers if community groups might be able to use them.

Rankin-Sunter took one look at the totes and thought: worm bins. A worm bin is a composting system that cultivates worms to break down organic matter, creating beneficial liquid and castings that can enrich garden and house plant soil. An essential part of the ecosystem, worms efficiently break down food scraps, turning leftovers into odor-free fertilizer in about two weeks.

The bins are compact and can be placed on a counter or shelf in a home or garage.

“Homeowners can add kitchen scraps and small bits of garden waste or shredded paper to the bin,” Rankin-Sunter said. “By doing so, they are part of an environmental solution and creating beneficial material for their gardens.”

They are also potentially saving money. She estimates gardeners can pay as much as $10 a pound for worm castings and $4 a gallon for the liquid produced by worm bins.

Rankin-Sunter and CORE volunteers are building the worm bins. The Blaine Friends of the Library are managing the orders. A Friends member suggested adding the word ‘book’ to the project name.

“Bookworm Bin is a perfect name since the money raised will support library projects,” Jakobitz said.

People who buy a Bookworm Bin will receive three ready-to-use totes with worms and organic materials and helpful instructions.

“There are so many good things about the program,” Rankin-Sunter said. “We’re keeping things out of the landfill, building beautiful gardens, saving people money, doing something good for the library and helping people feel environmentally invested.” 

Rankin-Sunter has been a gardener all her life and loves getting others involved in the hobby, especially young people. CORE, which she founded in 2010, regularly presents gardening programs at the library. “Like the library, gardening makes the world a better place,” she said.

To order a Bookworm Bin, visit the Blaine library, 610 3rd Street. The library is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 360/305-3637 during library hours.

Article courtesy of Whatcom County Library System