What's Happening?
The Anythink Nature Library, the first public library in the U.S. solely dedicated to nature, has opened in Thornton, Colorado, approximately 20 miles northeast of Denver. This 33,000-square-foot facility, the eighth branch of the Anythink public library system
for Adams County, aims to connect the community with the outdoors and address the issue of screen fatigue, particularly among children. The library offers a unique 'TryIts' program, allowing patrons with a free library card to borrow over 650 outdoors-related items, including gardening tools, hammocks, camping equipment, snowshoes, and birdwatching kits, with a goal to expand the collection to 1,500 items. Beyond traditional books, the library features hands-on play spaces, such as an indoor area with boulders for climbing and an outdoor mud pit, alongside a learning garden and a quarter-mile gravel trail. The design of the library incorporates natural elements and was guided by an Indigenous Advisory Council, reflecting local environments and tribal names in its organization.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is significant as it directly addresses a growing concern in the U.S.: the decreasing amount of time children spend in unstructured outdoor play compared to their engagement with electronic media. Research by the National Recreation and Park Association indicates that children spend less than ten minutes daily outdoors versus over seven hours with screens. The Anythink Nature Library seeks to remove barriers to outdoor access and foster positive experiences with the natural environment, promoting physical activity and curiosity. By offering a wide array of outdoor gear for free, it democratizes access to nature-based activities, which can often be cost-prohibitive for many families. This model could serve as a blueprint for other communities looking to integrate environmental education and outdoor engagement into public services, potentially influencing public library systems nationwide to rethink their roles beyond traditional book lending.
What's Next?
The Anythink Nature Library plans to expand its 'TryIts' collection to approximately 1,500 outdoors-related items, further enhancing community access to outdoor activities. Programming will continue to be developed, including collaborations with local outdoor organizations, 'Wildings' sessions for young children, and adult classes like yoga and mindful crafting. By 2027, the library's exterior loop trail is expected to connect with the regional trails of the adjacent 140-acre Aylor Open Lands, owned by the city of Thornton, which will include outdoor bathrooms to serve hikers and bikers. The library also aims to inspire a love for reading and learning about nature, hoping to cultivate future stewards of the land, especially given the decline in reading for pleasure and struggling reading scores among U.S. youth.
Beyond the Headlines
The Anythink Nature Library represents a broader shift in how public institutions are adapting to contemporary societal challenges, moving beyond their conventional roles to address issues like screen addiction, nature deficit disorder, and equitable access to outdoor recreation. By integrating an 'Environmental Kinship Model' that encourages engagement with, in, for, and about nature, the library is fostering a deeper connection between individuals and their environment. This approach has ethical implications, promoting environmental stewardship and a sense of responsibility towards the natural world from a young age. Culturally, it challenges the perception of libraries as solely quiet spaces for books, transforming them into dynamic community hubs that facilitate active learning and engagement with the physical world, potentially influencing urban planning and public space design in other U.S. cities.
