The Bexley Public Library hosted a “Prom Swap” April 18 and 19 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., during which teens could shop for free donated formal wear.
Youth Services Librarian Kelly Edwards said the swap is an event where teens can pick out a dress or suit for prom. Edwards explained the library accepted donations for a month and a half leading up to the event.
“I wanted it to be very open so that anybody could access it,” she said. “If teens didn’t have a dress, they could come in and not worry about having to bring one.”
She said she initially had the idea for the swap last year. She explained she saw a Facebook post from high school guidance counselors looking for prom dresses for students and thought she could help.
“The Westerville Public Library does a prom swap, so I asked their librarians for advice,” she added. “I had to order coat racks, and I asked for donations for hangers. The staff has been really great about helping to take donations.”
Edwards said the library collected about 80 outfits for the event.
Several hours were spent looking through donations, checking for stains or tears and setting up a dressing room for students, she added.
Edwards said there were about ten students who attended.
The remaining items will be donated to local charities, and she plans to reach out to high schools to see if they are interested in taking the clothes.
She explained she thinks there are more opportunities for clothing swaps at the library in the future.
“I think it’d be nice to do just a formal dress swap just because I’ve gotten a lot of dresses that maybe would not be good for prom but would be good for other things, like parties,” Edwards explained.
She said that she thought the Prom Swap was a success. “This really is a great service for teens and I hope they get a lot out of it,” she said. “We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback about it.”
Junior Julia Atkins said she enjoyed the event and would attend again. “I think it’s nice because it’s an affordable option when prom dresses I feel stereotypically are very expensive,” she said.
Published and digitized May 2026.
