OXFORD, Ala. — Oxford Parks and Recreation will host Junk Journal Night at the Oxford Civic Center on Thursday, April 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Materials will be provided for participants who do not bring their own.

A junk journal is a handmade book assembled from recycled or found materials, including paper scraps, packaging, fabric, and ephemera. Participants construct the journals during the event. This reporter attended a brief informational session prior to publication of this article.

"It's really a creative process," said Lisa Howell, Oxford Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator. "You're basically making a book out of things you already have lying around."

Howell said participants are encouraged to bring their own materials but that a supply table would be available for those arriving without junk. What qualifies as junk for purposes of the event has not been formally defined by the department. Howell described the standard as "whatever speaks to you."

The Oxford Civic Center is located at 145 N. McCullough Ave. Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the building. The center closes at 9 p.m. Participants are asked to allow time for cleanup.

This is the first Junk Journal Night hosted by Oxford Parks and Recreation. A second event has not been scheduled, though Howell said the department would evaluate interest following Thursday's session.

Registration is not required but is encouraged. The journal participants construct during the event is theirs to keep.