Photo provided

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 7, 2025

Since 2018, an estimated 300 reusable cloth book bags have been donated to the Grand Marais Public Library, the result of a project organized and initiated by the Northwoods Fiber Guild. This summer, the Guild donated an additional 15 bags to the library. 

The idea for the project began with Guild member Jo Wood in August 2018. Wood shared that the idea came to her after an experience at the library. "I was at the library one rainy day and noticed that a mom was checking out a stack of children’s books," she said. "The librarian was filling a plastic grocery bag with the books. I know those bags are good for maybe one re-use for a heavy load of books." Wood had the idea that the Guild could potentially create reusable bags that the library could loan out to people instead of plastic ones. 

At the next Northwoods Fiber Guild meeting, she proposed the idea and members "approved wholeheartedly." 

The bags have been a true community effort, utilizing donated time, supplies, and space. "North House lets us use a classroom on a weekday afternoon, between their scheduled classes," Wood said. She created a simple bag pattern, and members got started. "A group of eight or more Northwoods Fiber Guild members showed up with fabric, rulers, scissors, and sewing machines," she said, before adding that they would divide the jobs into "work stations for cutting, ironing parts, and sewing the bags." Approximately 15 bags were made during that first session.

Wood sought out donations of upholstery fabric from local second-hand shops and prepared take-home "bag kits" for members. "Members also made bags from their personal stash of fabric and dropped them off at the library," she added. While a precise total count was not kept, Wood estimated the number of bags delivered to be "about 300 bags. We never counted, just made and delivered."

Over the years, the number of bags produced went down. However, this summer, that changed. "This summer, someone at the library asked about more cloth bags." With some of the take-home kits left, Guild members created and delivered an additional 15 bags. Another group meeting took place in early October at the HUB to continue production. 

The Grand Marais Public Library shared in a City of Grand Marais Weekly Update email in August that the project aligns with the City of Grand Marais Community Vision Plan’s focus on environmental stewardship and caring for our lakes. The library stated that the Guild "approached the library with an idea [in 2018]: to help advance their mission of keeping plastic out of Lake Superior by replacing our plastic bags with handmade cloth ones."

According to the library, the reusable bags are available for all library visitors to use and return.  "Together, we’re reducing plastic waste, protecting the shoreline, and celebrating local creativity all at once." 

The Northwoods Fiber Guild, which started in 1988 and currently has approximately 45 members, has a history of community involvement through various fiber arts projects. Wood shared examples of past activities, including demonstrating crafts "on the lawn at the Johnson Heritage Post during the Grand Marais Art Festival" and "working with teachers and students at the school, teaching a variety of projects." Other projects mentioned were the creation of the "Felted Forest" at ISD 166 and "Yarn Bombing" at North House Folk School.

This year, the Guild is looking for donations of yarn throughout the month of October. According to a Facebook post from the Guild, the yarn is used for pom-poms during the "yarn-storming/bombing" during fiber week, for an activity for kids during the Wooden Boat Show at North House, and for kumihimo craft activities." 

"We now have a shortage of yarn, so welcome any and all donations," the post stated. 

Yarn can be dropped off at the Grand Marais Public Library at the circulation/check-out desk through the rest of the month. 

Those interested in joining the Guild can do so for an annual fee of $20. According to Wood, "A monthly calendar and bimonthly newsletters are sent out before each meeting to all members from September through May." The group does not meet during the summer due to busy schedules. Individuals interested in joining the organization can find information on the Northwoods Fiber Guild Facebook page. "People are welcome to come to a meeting, check it out, and join if they wish," Wood said.