Who says you have to go to the library to enjoy the library? For most people, the typical cliché library is a square brick building that houses books and hosts events. Botetourt County Libraries is not a typical library though. We’re breaking down those brick walls by getting out into the community and bringing the library directly to you, wherever you are.
Our Summer Learning Challenge is in full swing, which not only includes activities you can do at home and activities you can participate in at the library, but also activities that get you outdoors and in the community.
Anyone who frequents the Botetourt Sports Complex will be treated to a storybook as they walk around the track. Our first StoryWalk, Scribble Stones, created a lot of fun for everyone last year, and we knew we had to bring a new story to the community this year! Presented both in English and Spanish, this year’s StoryWalk focuses on diversity, art and creativity. Families can enjoy the beautiful illustrations as they follow the story of two desert lizards in Art and Max by David Wiesner. Both have an interest in painting, though one less experienced than the other. Together they stumble their way through some unexpected pitfalls.
For anyone looking for a little bit more of a challenge, we suggest geocaching. Another popular activity from last year’s challenge, this year we have made them even better. Hidden all over Botetourt County, geocaches make great destination day trips for the entire family. If you want to track them down, you will need to register for our Reading Colors Your World challenge on Beanstack to get the names of the caches. Once you have the names, download the Geocache app in order to get the exact coordinates. Then the treasure hunt begins!
Following the activity badge themes found on our Beanstack site (botetourtva.beanstack.org), these caches introduce finders to influential people in the field of Art, such as Origamist Sipho Mabona and Graffiti Knitter Lauren O’Farrell. Stuffed with trinkets to take and give (similar to the give a penny, take a penny motto) the caches also contain activities to do at home to enhance the experience. Don’t forget to write down the secret code so you can get credit for finding each cache!
Activities like these wouldn’t be possible without the support and collaboration of many groups, such as Botetourt County Parks and Recreation and the Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation group. Monetary donations, offer of land use and volunteer support allows us to bring the library to more areas of the community. Our hope is that the more we connect with the community the more we will be able to offer in the community.
The library isn’t just a brick and mortar building anymore, the library is everywhere.
~Jaime Duval
Eagle Rock Branch Librarian
