Reducing Lamination

We are now being very, very judicious in our use of the laminator. I think most librarians like their signage to look very nice, but I realized that we were laminating things that would really only be used for a very short term period.

A rule of thumb is simply a modest five years. Before I laminate something I determine if this item will have a clear and definite use through at least five years. Will this sign, prop story, or rhyme have a use through five years? Is it worth it? I’d like to hope for ten at least.

Many times the answer is no when you apply this rule. A sign for a door or a program direction will look nicer when it’s laminated, but unless it has a valid use through five years then I don’t think it’s worth the generations that it will take to degrade. A short term use is not worth the impact for generations.

I also have absolutely no idea if this type of plastic can be recycled.

On a side note, realize that the film also costs the Library about $225 plus shipping per roll. By reducing our output we are also saving money in the long run. I think I’ve probably reduced my lamination by about half the amount that I used to do.