Cultivating Community: The Importance of Our Propagation Station and Learning Garden

In the heart of our community lies a vital hub dedicated to plant enthusiasts and nature lovers—the propagation station. This unique space is entirely community-driven, relying on generous donations and the swapping of “plant babies” from local plant enthusiasts. With a community-driven approach, the propagation station nurtures green thumbs and fosters a profound sense of responsibility toward environmental stewardship. 

At the propagation station, participants can share their knowledge of plant propagation, or speak to our in-house plant expert, Megan Wills, gaining in-depth knowledge and practical skills in nurturing a wide variety of plant species. With her guidance, attendees gain a wealth of information and practical skills essential for nurturing a diverse array of plant species, from tropical delights to hardy succulents. This exchange of knowledge cultivates a vibrant community where individuals develop a deep appreciation for the intricacies of plant care and the natural world around them. 

This April marks the start of work in our learning garden, where we will refresh the bark and gravel paths, add lighting, and incorporate whimsical elements. A significant aspect of this project includes installing habitats for local wildlife, and providing homes for bats, carpenter bees, and butterflies, along with bee and bird baths. These installations promote biodiversity and ecological balance, offering essential shelter and resources for various species. By observing and interacting with these creatures, visitors will gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate relationships within our ecosystem. The creature houses and baths will serve as a living classroom, offering invaluable lessons in conservation and the importance of protecting our natural world. 

Through our propagation station and learning garden, we are not just cultivating plants; we are nurturing a vibrant community where nature and its caretakers thrive side by side. By participating in sustainable practices and sharing knowledge, we inspire everyone to take active steps toward a greener future. Together, we are enhancing our local ecosystem and creating a space where both people and the environment can flourish.  

In April, our Homeschool Hangout program will continue to work towards creating a greener world by celebrating Earth Day with some fun hands-on lessons focusing on our planet and our roles in protecting it. As a part of this celebration, students will actively participate in planting various items within our learning garden, reinforcing the importance of stewardship for the environment. 

 

~ Tiffanie Longsdorff  

Additional Programs Happening in April:   

•  Every Monday at 10 AM: Preschool Story Time   
• Join us as we explore weekly themes, create crafts, and enjoy fun activities.
• April 2nd: Author Visit and Crafternoon  
• Join us at 4 PM to make felt flowers, followed by a visit from historical fiction writer Kay Smith-Blum at 5 PM. 
• April 3rd: Middle School Game Night   
• Bring your friends for an afternoon of laughter as we play "What Do You Meme" starting at 4 PM. 
• April 9th: D&D Night (Ages 16+)   
• Embark on a magical quest with fellow D&D enthusiasts starting at 5:30 PM. 
• April 10th: Page Turners Book Club   
• Join us as we read "Backcountry" by Jenny Goebel. 
• April 12th: Crafty Corner   
• Join us as we craft moss-covered bunny topiaries. Adults only, please! 
• April 16th: Lego Club   
• Join us at 4 PM to build Lego flowers. 
• April 17th: High School Game Night   
• Bring your friends for an afternoon of laughter as we play "What Do You Meme." 
• April 23rd: Movie Matinee   
• Come on down for some freshly popped popcorn and a showing of Disney’s "Moana 2." 
• April 24th: Liquid Lit   
• Join the discussion as we read Reese's Book Club pick "Braving the Wilderness" by Brené Brown. 
• April 25th: Home School Hangout   
• Join us as we learn about the significance of Earth Day and how to be good stewards of our planet. 

East Adams Library District Board Member Visits Representatives

 One of our library trustees, Morgane Plager Roth, has returned from Washington, D.C. having joined the “Voices for Libraries” Washington State Delegation as a rural library advocate. The delegation also included Sara Jones, State Librarian; Jeanne Williams, State Public & Tribal Library Consultant; Brianna Hoffman, State Training Coordinator; Kate Laughlin, Executive Director of the Association for Small & Rural Libraries; John Sheller and Chase Gallagher, King County Libraries; and Rick Sheridan, Seattle Public Library.

 The group joined delegations from 37 states for an educational day at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in downtown D.C. on Wednesday, March 5th. The next day the group met with the offices of Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and with the offices of Representatives Michael Baumgartner, Suzan Delbene, Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez, Pramila Jayapal, Emily Randall, Kim Schrier, and Marilyn Strickland.

 The delegations were specifically advocating for the full funding of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The LSTA falls under the Museum and Library Services Act that was last authorized in 2018 and is the only act that specifically targets federal funds to libraries. The funds from the LSTA are distributed to every state, territory, and Washington, D.C. In Washington, those funds help fund jobs and services at the state library and are distributed to all of our 39 counties. In a rural library system, like ours, that translates to having the Washington Digital Library Consortium allowing us to offer digital and audiobook checkouts in LIBBY, the Adams County Community Archive in the Washington Rural Heritage Program, training for our staff and trustees, access to broadband and E-rates, the Washington Humanities speakers bureau, the historical newspaper project, amongst others.

 Washington State also provides funding for 22 tribal libraries and is the only state that maintains 9 libraries in our correctional facilities and our state hospitals, allowing inmates and residents access to a wide variety of quality materials.

 Morgane was deeply honored to be asked to join the delegation and was proud to be a voice for our Washington rural libraries. She said that, “The most striking takeaway from the meetings was how interested our representatives are in learning how this funding directly impacts our citizens and community groups.”

 “Voices for Libraries” was sponsored by the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries.

The delegation meets with Senator Patty Murray’s aides.