Creating and Advocating for Nature-Smart Libraries
Description
As community hubs, libraries can provide children with regular access to nature programs, lending from nature-based collections, and outdoor natural spaces. The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to sponsor a discussion with our colleagues in the Nature Everywhere Communities partnership about the newly released Nature-Smart Libraries Toolkit, featuring examples from the Austin Public Library and the San Francisco Public Library. This online guide highlights innovative, Nature-Smart Library initiatives nationwide, showcasing how libraries can collaborate with city leaders, parks departments, and community partners to expand nature access. The toolkit emphasizes system-wide strategies to ensure nature is accessible across entire municipalities. Whether you want to consider adding nature, sustainability, and environmental themes to existing programs; transform the green space around your local library into a pollinator garden, an outdoor story nook, or a nature-focused story walk trail; or expand collections to support self-directed nature exploration through lending programs, this discussion is for you.
About the Presenters
Ashley Marshall is a Children’s Librarian at San Francisco Public Library at the bookmobile and Mobile Outreach Services department. She specializes in working with children ages 0-5, sharing storytime, early literacy joy, and providing support to parents and teachers. The bookmobile travels around San Francisco, providing library access at public schools, early education facilities, special events, and city parks, often in communities with gaps in library services.
Jenny Stirrat is the School Partnerships Librarian at Austin Public Library. She holds a BA in English from the University of Texas at Austin and an MS in Information Studies from UT’s iSchool. Before joining APL, Jenny spent 15 years as a high school English teacher and school librarian. Jenny uses her experience in public education to inform her work at APL where she oversees student library accounts and shares the wonders of public libraries with school communities. Jenny is a mom of 3 and enjoys reading fiction, relaxing in nature, and consuming pop culture.
Erin Allaman is Director of Learning & Evaluation, Co-Director of Research at the Children & Nature Network, where she and her colleagues are committed to creating equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn, and play. Through the Nature Everywhere Initiative, Erin contributes to resource development, including the Nature-Smart Libraries toolkit, evaluation of the National Nature Everywhere Initiative, and activating research about the benefits of nature for children. Based in Colorado, she is a library lover and a parent of two kids who keep her on her toes.
This event will be hosted in Zoom. Automatic captions will be enabled for this event. This event will be recorded, and registrants will receive access to the recording within a day after the event ends.
If you have questions or requests regarding accessibility, contact us at alsc@ala.org or at (312) 280-4026.