Growing gardening programs @ your library

CHICAGO – Over the last few years, cities and towns across the country have been seeing a rise in residents participating in backyard herb, vegetable and community gardens.

Helping cultivate this trend, libraries are offering a variety of tools and resources to both first-time gardeners and advanced horticulturists.

The Richmond (Va.) Public Library is hosting Gardening @ your library, a gardening club geared toward area teens and tweens. Weekly, they meet with a local gardening expert on the library’s veranda to learn about resourceful ways to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs. The library also has a selection of teen books on gardening, in addition to its gardening books and magazines for adults.

The Bridgman (Mich.) Public Library is bringing gardening to the library by beginning its own community garden. Residents of Bridgman can rent their own plots at the library, where library staff and groups will be on hand to help provide resources, answer questions and host programs.

With an interest in organic gardening, the Grand Rapids (Minn.) Area Library recently published “Organic gardening @ your library,” an article in its local paper focused on the library’s expanded selection of organic gardening resources. Resources include new books and magazines on natural pest control, composting and other related topics.

First-time gardeners are encouraged to attend the Concord (N.C.) Library's First Vegetable Garden Program @ your library. Experienced local gardeners will provide first timers with tips on growing hearty plants and how to care for the garden.

Throughout early spring, the Loveland (Colo.) Public Library has been hosting a lecture series titled Gardening @ your library. Topics have included fruit tree cultivation, pruning and water use and conservation.

The Campaign for America’s Libraries is ALA’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types—across the country and around the globe—use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible by ALA’s Library Champions, corporations and foundations.