Outside the Box: Transforming Outdoor Spaces to Enhance Library Service
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Outside the Box:
Transforming Outdoor
Spaces to Enhance
Library Service
Why Outdoor Spaces?
Encourages Healthy Lifestyles
Opportunities for Environmental Education
Allows for Creative Spaces
Provides Space to Rest & Reflect
Space for Community to Gather
Realize Economic Opportunity
and more…
Scope the Project Your library and your community are
unique. Consider options for a community
venture that will work for your library.
What is special about your library or library
property? Are there areas that you can
devote to a raised bed garden, a flower
bed, bird feeders, etc.?
Are there special community needs that
you can fulfill through your project?
Scan the Environment
Conduct an environmental scan
I know: You don’t have time for such
things, so make it easy…..
What projects are going on locally?
What projects have other libraries done?
• Use the internet to search
for similar projects like this
one!
• Make a list of project
elements that might work
for you.
• Keep track of links or
contact information.
Examples…
Marywood University - Meditation Garden
The Meditation Garden serves as a communal
gathering place for students on campus.
University of California at Berkeley - School of Law Library
The addition to the University of California at Berkeley’s law library
included a rooftop garden above a three-story structure.
Bookyard – An Outdoor Public Library by Massimo Bartolini
The ‘Bookyard‘ was placed in a garden for a
Belgian Art Festival. All books were for sale and
the visitors could bring home a piece of the
artwork by leaving a donation of their choosing.
Know What You Want to
Accomplish
Have big picture goals or a draft mission
statement prepared.
Your project should support your library’s
mission statement.
This is a working document, once you involve
members of the community, your final mission
statement may vary from the original.
Invite People
Invite the general public, special service groups
or community partners that may be interested in
your project.
Have a meeting to introduce the project and
brain storm ideas for making the project a reality.
Discuss the scope/limitations of what you are
able to do. You don’t want to plan a 3 ring circus
if you only have room for a 1 ring circus!
Who’s Got the Money?
What will the project cost?
Where will the money come from for your project?
Be sure to inform the community group of financial plans such as: We already have a donor
We are planning on writing a grant
The community group needs to raise the money for the project
Leading and Following Find the leaders and let them run with ideas
Encourage the worker bees….you need them
too
Giving people ownership of a project makes
them feel invested in the project
As a leader, you can motivate, and
encourage others!
Benefits to the Library and
Community
Consider which PA Forward Literacy that
your project might support
Encourage intergenerational
programming
Educate children
Help the less fortunate in the community
Create an awareness of the library – we
are more than books
The Garden Project
Mission Statement
To develop a garden that will be planned and maintained by
community volunteers and will provide benefits and learning
opportunities for children and adults in the North Pocono
community. We envision this space as a place where
generations can interact, children can learn about how food is
grown, and many people can have an opportunity to work
together toward the garden’s success.
The Learning Garden -- Area(s) of the garden designated for
educational programs and teaching children about gardening
and growing vegetables and flowers.
The Giving Garden – Area(s) of the garden that will be
cultivated by community volunteers to benefit those in the
community that are economically challenged. Harvested items
will be shared with the local food pantry.
The Butterfly Garden – An area on the East side of the library that
includes native shrubbery and flowers to encourage butterfly
visitors. Educational programs will be offered around the
garden species and the butterflies.
The Flower Garden – An area yet to be developed that will
concentrate on the growth of annual and perennial flowers.
Elements of the Garden Project
Butterfly Garden-
established Summer
2016
Giving Garden in
full bloom
Judy’s Garden
Mission Statement
Judy’s Garden, adjacent to the library building and dedicated
in June 2012, developed by family and friends to honor Berwick
High School Class of 1957 graduate and library lover Judy
Chesney, The project was coordinated by her husband Paul
Chesney with creative assistance from Dr. David and Sandy
Campbell, George Remensnyder, and other volunteers and
donors, many of whom were classmates of Judy.
An Opportunity for Giving
Judy’s Garden
was a gift from a
large donor.
The creation of the
garden inspired
others to donate
additional shrubs,
trees, wind chimes,
etc. as memorial
donations
Cultivating Community Good Will
A Programming Space
Teddy Bear Picnic in the Garden
Police Dog Program in the Garden
Filling Pots for planting
Front Landscaping
Peace and Serenity
Tips for Success
Communication is critical.
Keep everyone motivated.
Acknowledge and utilize community
ideas when possible
Show thanks and appreciation.
What Does Your Successful
Project Look Like?
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