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Reading Public Library was awarded a one-year federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) direct grant by the the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). Centered in nature, health, and sustainability, this grant will expand related education and gardening spaces at the RPL.
The grant is also an to collaborate across the community around matters our community cares about. Some of our many partners include:
The grant aims to transform Reading Public Library into a vibrant hub for intergenerational and inclusive education on nature, health and sustainability.
As part of our Rooted in Reading grant, RPL has installed an example sensory garden. This small area highlights different ways to experience a garden and helps people connect with nature and become more aware of their surroundings.
A sensory garden stimulates your senses—in this case, sight, smell, sound, and touch. The goal of a sensory garden is to encourage visitors to interact with the garden and experience it with all their senses. Example plants include perennial herbs such as oregano, thyme, and sage (smell). Other plants include Sweet Fern, which changes color in the fall (smell, sight, and touch), Lamb’s Ear (touch), and Lavender (smell). You can add chimes (sound), a solar fountain (sound), and bright seasonal blooms (sight) throughout the year.
Native plants are a critical part of the food chain and strengthen the local ecosystem. In addition to providing food and places for birds to rest and shelter, native plants support pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds because non-native plants may not provide enough nectar or pollen. Example plants include: Fragrant Sumac, Mountain Mint, Golden Rod, Bluestem grass, and Swamp Milkweed.
Use RPL’s pass to “Garden in the Woods,” one of the Native Plant Trust’s eight properties in New England to learn more.
Indoor plants do more than look pretty – they’re good for your health and happiness! Having plants inside helps clean the air you breathe by removing harmful chemicals and turning carbon dioxide into oxygen. When plants are around, you’ll likely feel more relaxed and in a better mood. They can even help you focus better at work or while studying.
Plants make any room look better and more welcoming. Research shows that people who work in spaces with plants are more creative and get more done. So whether you’re at home, work, or school, adding some green plants to your space can make a real difference in how you feel and how well you can concentrate.
The RPL Plant Lab is a year-round series that helps kids in grades 3-5 discover the joy of gardening. Students learn to grow food from seed to harvest on our second-floor patio. In summer, they turn their fresh produce into healthy snacks. Winter activities include caring for house plants, nature journaling, and planning spring gardens.
Rooted in Reading expands the RPL Plant Lab to welcome visitors of all ages and abilities. New accessible raised beds and updated seating make our patio space more inclusive for everyone to enjoy gardening and outdoor activities.
Our Seed Library offers free seeds to the community while accepting donations from local gardeners. We focus on fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers that thrive in Reading and support both people and wildlife. The Seed Library program makes gardening accessible to beginners and helps experienced gardeners share successful varieties with neighbors – promoting health, wellness, and community connection.
Rooted in Reading expands and showcases this wonderful collection, improving access to fresh produce and curating collections of locally adapted varietals.
Rooted in Reading is made possible by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Additional support is provided by the Friends of the Reading Public Library and the Reading Public Library Foundation.
