The New Models module challenged me to imagine libraries as living ecosystems of curiosity and connection, instead of as repositories of knowledge. Pam Sandlian Smith’s TEDx talk, What to Expect from Libraries in the 21st Century, reminding me that transformation begins when we stop asking “What do libraries have?” and start asking “What do libraries make possible?” That question came alive for me through the Anythink Nature Library, a project that redefines what is means to serve a community. By bringing nature exploration, environmental learning, and creative play into the library experience, Anythink invites patrons to engage with the world beyond the walls, turning curiosity into stewardship. Learn more about the Anythink Nature Library by watching the embedded YoutTube video or here on their site.
I was so inspired by this model that I shared the Nature Library link with a friend who grew up in Thornton, Colorado, where the Nature Library is opening this August. She immediately say how it could spark new conversations among her friends and family, especially those raising children who might not otherwise have access to outdoor learning spaces. She also promised to visit it the next time she visits her parents who live in the same neighborhood as the Nature Library. This act of sharing felt like a small but meaningful extension of participatory service: connecting others to ideas that nurture both imagination and community well-being. It reminded me that innovation doesn’t always mean inventing something new; it means amplifying what already works and helping it ripple outward.
The Nature Library also made me think about how libraries everywhere could experiment with similar models. One idea would be a “Story Trails” initiative, where local authors and artists collaborate to create outdoor reading paths that would combine literature, art, and nature in a way that encourages movement and reflection. Another could be a “Community Skill Exchange Hub,” where patrons share expertise, from gardening to coding, in short, peer-led workshops that celebrate collective knowledge. Both ideas echo Anythink’s ethos: libraries as catalysts for creativity, connection, and lifelong learning.
Ultimately, this module reaffirmed that the future of libraries lies in imagination and not in technology on its own. Imagination is required when thinking about how we design experiences that meet people where they are and invite them to grow. The Anythink Nature Library embodies that spirit beautifully, reminding me that innovation in librarianship is as much about heart as it is about strategy.
References
Anythink Libraries. (n.d.). Anythink nature library. Anythink Libraries. https://www.anythinklibraries.org/anythink-nature-library/?fbclid=IwAR2DgO-k8nU6kNUODo7vTlRXKiEiYSoSeQMC8Aq0QnoLMZoT3d-QKpbSl5M
Sandlian Smith, P. (2013, December). What to expect from libraries in the 21st century [Video]. TEDxMileHigh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa6ERdxyYdo&t=680s
Hi Victoria – That’s awesome that your friend is going to be able to visit the Anythink Nature Library! Very jealous 🙂 I also think your idea about a Story Trails initiative is really great. My community has a literary botanical garden called Bookworm Gardens, inspired by various children’s books. It really is awesome! (Here’s a video if you want to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgSlakBB4b4) This space is not run by the library, but that could be a really great partnership.
@rachelll Thanks for sharing the video…how cool is the Bookworm Garden! What an awesome place to share with the community!
@mylifeastori This: “Ultimately, this module reaffirmed that the future of libraries lies in imagination and not in technology on its own.” That’s like the theme of this class. Very well said.