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Libraries & gardens : growing together / Carrie Scott Banks, Cindy Mediavilla.

By: Contributor(s): Material type: TextTextPublisher: Chicago : ALA Editions, 2019Copyright date: ©2019Description: xi, 138 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 26 cmContent type:
  • text
Media type:
  • unmediated
Carrier type:
  • volume
ISBN:
  • 9780838918555
  • 0838918557
Other title:
  • Libraries and gardens [Spine title]
Subject(s):
Contents:
A brief history of libraries and gardens -- Demonstration gardens in libraries -- Learning in library gardens -- Community engagement -- Library garden design -- Planning and managing the library garden -- Sustaining the garden through funding, partnerships, and volunteers -- Evaluating garden programs -- Appendix A: a tour of all the gardens mentioned in this book -- Appendix B: sample community garden rules, regulations and gardener agreements -- Appendix C: sample volunteer gardener application -- Appendix D: sample evaluation report.
Summary: 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."
Holdings
Item type Home library Collection Call number Materials specified Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Adult Book Adult Book Main Library NonFiction 025 B218 Available 33111010754113
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Roman philosopher Cicero once remarked that "if you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need." Today, libraries nationwide are beginning to incorporate gardens into their public services. Libraries in the southwestern US, for instance, are creating drought-tolerant gardens as neighborhood demonstration projects, while elsewhere gardens are being used to promote community engagement and even STEM learning. Citing examples of library gardens around the world that are thriving, this first-ever book on the subject not only demonstrates the many benefits of library gardens but also provides a complete overview of issues applicable to all library types and geographical environments. Featuring a full-color photo insert showcasing several beautiful library gardens, among the topics covered in the book are

a brief history of libraries and gardens, with an overview of such "demonstration gardens" as medicinal and herbal gardens, native plant gardens, xeriscapes, and gardens as wildlife sanctuaries; the use of plants, such as living walls and rooftop gardens, to create ecologically healthy, sustainable environments; gardens as learning environments and spaces for storytimes and active play; food gardens, seed libraries, sensory gardens, outdoor reading areas, prison garden programs, and many other ways that libraries can engage communities; guidance on designing for inclusivity, planning, funding, staffing, recruiting volunteers, and planting and maintenance, complete with advice on determining the best plants to cultivate; and ideas on evaluating the effectiveness of library gardens and the program opportunities they offer.

Readers will not only be inspired to create and nurture their own library gardens and programs, they will receive practical advice on how to proceed and sustain them.

Text in English.

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

A brief history of libraries and gardens -- Demonstration gardens in libraries -- Learning in library gardens -- Community engagement -- Library garden design -- Planning and managing the library garden -- Sustaining the garden through funding, partnerships, and volunteers -- Evaluating garden programs -- Appendix A: a tour of all the gardens mentioned in this book -- Appendix B: sample community garden rules, regulations and gardener agreements -- Appendix C: sample volunteer gardener application -- Appendix D: sample evaluation report.

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."

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