Our Nature-Smart Library has (Softly) Launched!
We are so excited to announce the launch of our new Nature-Smart Library. Our community engagement tells us time and again how important a connection to nature is for our patrons. When we built our strategic plan last year, one of our goals was to build or strengthen partnerships with the key initiative of collaborating with organizations that focus on the natural world.
Simultaneously, we learned how much screen time both adults and kids are engaging in (on average, seven hours per day), with deleterious effects on their mental and physical health. Finally, we know that people learn best about nature in nature and voilá, our Nature-Smart Library was born.
What is the Nature-Smart-Library? It's twofold. The collection offers items for checkout, like games that can be played in the backyard or at a park (think croquet, giant Jenga, pickleball) and totes with a blanket and playing cards. These are meant to encourage families and friends to spend time together outdoors. The programming brings experts and patrons together at local nature spots (parks, mostly) to learn about specific topics (everything from forest bathing to birdwatching). There's something for all ages.
How do we find out more?
For items in our collection: From our catalog, type "nature smart kits" in the catalog search bar to find all of our offerings, or browse in the Library to see what's available (they are between the Holds and the Puzzles/Board Games). Items are already going quickly, so it's best to put your name on the hold list if you want a specific game!
For Nature Smart programs: To locate Nature Smart programs in our event calendar, check out the different filters you can use to narrow your search. One of those filters is Program Type, and one of the Program Types is Nature Smart. By clicking that, you'll see all of the Nature Smart programming we have planned for the month. We are still confirming all the details for our summer programs, so you may need to check back in a few weeks to see our most robust line-up.
The official launch is May 23, so you are truly getting a sneak peek now!
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