Tag Archives: Adult Coloring Book

Communication, Resources

Free coloring books for you and your patrons!

Manatee page from coloring book

Free coloring books! What could be more fun??

You already know that many libraries are offering coloring programs, and sales of coloring books are skyrocketing. This can be a great way to relieve stress and to just enjoy some creative time working with colors and coloring. For those of us who lack artistic skill in drawing, it can be fun to color in some of the really interesting forms available! (Yes: I’m a coloring fan!!)

If you have priced out the coloring books, you know they can be pretty expensive. And if you want to have an educational or artistic experience for patrons, that would be even more expensive! Fortunately we have a huge list of all kinds of free coloring books, from all types of educational and artistic organizations!

You will find things to start a variety of different programs in your library. And if you find a few to color yourself on your lunch break – we support you in that!!

General

The science behind adult coloring books

photo-1453749024858-4bca89bd9edcRecently there has been an explosion of adult coloring books. Even 5 of Amazon’s current top 15 books are coloring books. More than just a fad, there seems to be some actual science behind the act of putting crayon to paper.

Jordan Gaines Lewis, a science writer and neuroscience Ph.D. student at Penn State College of Medicine, recently wrote a piece about how coloring can help with your life.

Everyday Creativity

Lewis explains that many people are finding a lack of creativity in their lives. Obviously the act of coloring can help with that, but it goes beyond the simple act of coloring. From simple decisions of what color to use, to expressing your personal style when you choose what to color next, they all help. Lewis claims “more new research has focused on how creativity, especially in the form of visual art, can improve physical health.”

Decision Fatigue

Lewis also shares how many of us are suffering from Decision Fatigue. We all have too many impactful choices to make everyday. Coloring allows us to make “a series of small, inconsequential decisions (teal or mahogany for this squiggly line?)” and may help us get a small part of self-control back after a long day.

The article is a fun read and not too long so read it now or just go and color… we won’t mind!

Image credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/1zR3WNSTnvY (Aaron Burden), licensed under CC0 1.0