Libraries & gardens : growing together
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 119-130) and index.

Despite their natural kinship, very little has been written about libraries and their gardens, even though gardens have been an important part of the library landscape for more than a century. This book not only introduces library gardens into the professional conversation; it also celebrates the role of gardens in today's libraries. Many of these sites have won national as well as local awards, and all accomplish their goals successfully every day. We cite numerous case studies here and also provide advice on what to consider before launching a library garden of your own. After presenting a brief history of libraries and gardens in chapter 1, we describe a variety of "demonstration gardens" in chapter 2, including medicinal and herbal gardens, native plant gardens, xeriscapes, and gardens as wildlife habitats. We also look at the important role Master Gardeners play in creating and maintaining library gardens. Chapter 3 examines gardens as learning environments, including those created to support library STEM programs. We also introduce the principles of Multiple Intelligences, Universal Design for Learning, and Culturally Relevant Education as viable frameworks on which to design library gardens and educational programming. In chapter 4, we investigate the many ways library gardens engage the community. Food gardens, seed libraries, sensory gardens, and space for active play are all represented here, as are prison garden programs. We discuss garden design in chapter 5, including green spaces that meet environmental requisites as well as provide attractive architectural features. We also describe outdoor reading areas. No service should be offered without first considering its impact on the rest of the library, and so chapter 6 is about planning and managing the library garden. We ponder and discuss several questions, including who will maintain the garden, what legal restrictions might exist, how to make the space accessible, which plants to grow, and what challenges lie ahead. And, of course, no library program can flourish without funding, partnerships, and volunteers, which we consider in chapter 7. We end our narrative, in chapter 8, by sharing ideas on how to evaluate the effectiveness of library gardens and the program opportunities they offer. We hope this book provides readers with a framework that they will then implement in creating their own library gardens. After all, as Cicero once wrote, "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."