Nature: Going Beyond the Walls of the Library

Primary author: Emilie Braunel

I grew up in the country surrounded by trees, bugs, and weather. When I moved away to college and later to more populated areas, I longed for a space where I could go to be alone or to not see anything man made.

What is in this tool?

Reflect on how their library currently supports their community’s connections with the natural world
Investigate new opportunities for the library to support and engage with the community in natural spaces

As a rural library director in an area populated in the summer by people coming to get away from the city, I realized they were coming here to also get back into nature. Library visitors have come in to look for maps, ask about good hiking, swimming, or fishing spots, and find out what is happening in the area. Sharing the outdoors with family, friends, and the community is a joy when the natural world is respected and valued.

In rural communities, connection to nature plays a critical role in many aspects of life, including mental and physical health, as well as a shared sense of place. Many people seek out the natural world to slow down, recharge, and find peace. In today’s technology-driven world where we are often pulled to always be connected and plugged in, escaping to the outdoors reinvigorates the pleasures of exploring the world around you, being present in the moment, and giving yourself time to ponder and reflect.

LISTEN: Jonathan: –is there– I am so inspired, all the time. And I think part of it is because, two things. One, I am surrounded by nature when I go outside. And the other, which is mixed with that, is that the pace is calmer. It’s like, I can hear my thoughts and deal with them and have ideas. I can see natural things in the world that spark my curiosity. Where I didn’t have that as much in the city. –interview #1-3-04

Print Version (pdf)

Outdoor Events
List the available outdoor activities or natural spaces in your community during the following seasons.

Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Who organizes those events?
How could the library be a part of those events?
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Library Service

How does the library’s collection support those activities and/or natural spaces?
What would you like to add to the collection?
What in-person library programs and resources does your library already do to support those activities or natural spaces?
What programs and resources would you like to add or adapt for adults:
What programs and resources would you like to add or adapt for youth:
What programs and resources would you like to add or adapt for any other audience:
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Outreach

Thinking beyond the library walls, how could you bring the library to the outdoor activities or natural spaces?
Can you envision the library providing a lending library of equipment for outdoor activities?
How would you fund the equipment and what rules would you use for lending it out?
What are your concerns or barriers?
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Advocacy

What are the factors that make it difficult for community members or visitors to take advantage of nature and outdoor activities?
Is there anything from the library’s strategic plan, mission or vision statements, survey data, etc. that provides support for the library to take part in an outdoor activity, event, or natural space?
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Responses to forms are automatically deleted from our website data base and your information is never shared. For more information about the Southern Tier Library System’s policies which govern Rural Libraries & Social Wellbeing, visit https://www.stls.org/about-stls/.

Further Resources

Want to read more about how rural residents value nature? See “Home, Place-making, & the Environment – Wisconsin Case Study” COMING SOON.

Nature: Going Beyond the Walls of the Library

Primary author: Emilie Braunel

What is in this tool?

Outdoor Events

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Library Service

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Outreach

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Advocacy

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Further Resources