Science Corners: Going from Eeeeek to Awww!

Session archive

Session slides (PDF)

Libraries have always been the melting pot of educational opportunities for the communities they serve. At Pine River Library we decided to introduce live animals into our programming and social media presence to help foster a greater understanding of non-traditional pets and to help people embrace less furry creatures.

We have Asmo, the rescue corn snake, Epipidabates poison dart frogs, varieties of fish, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, and our newest addition Tad Cooper, a bearded dragon.  These animals, especially Asmo, have become hugely popular pieces of our library and have allowed us to create programming that is both educational and outside the box!

These Science Corner staples have become part of our yearly Summer Reading content, have their own social media pages, and have allowed us to broaden our reach to people of all ages who may fear animals like this as well as people who have lots of questions about less common types of pets. As libraries work to fit into less traditional roles the addition of a science corner can help bridge the gap between being a book warehouse and providing hands-on learning. Let us answer your questions on why building a Science Corner in your library can be an awesome addition!

Learning Outcomes

• Instilling a love of science in your community.  
• Bringing in non-traditional users
• Making your library valid in a future thinking world

About the presenters

Becky Van Den Berg works as the Young Adult Services Coordinator at Pine River Library in Bayfield, Colorado. She enjoys binging True Crime shows, bringing home way too many books to read and using inappropriate humor in awkward moments. Becky changed paths from Veterinary Medicine to English and loves that she can bring some of her passion for animals and their unique lessons to audiences across Colorado!

Michaela Wilson, MLIS, is the Public Services Librarian at Pine River Library in Bayfield, CO. After securing her Bachelors in Forensic Anthropology, libraries offered a diverse outlet for non-traditional connections. Her hobbies include escaping into fantasy novels, being outside with her horses, and watching horror movies like it’s Halloween year-round! In the library, she loves creating exemplary patron experiences for all ages and tying that back into her passion for science.