Colorado has inaugurated the United States’ first public nature library, a facility designed to lower barriers to outdoor engagement. Located in Adams county, the library offers not only 40,000 books but also 850 “try it” kits. These kits contain birdwatching equipment, wildlife cameras, microscopes, gardening tools, and hiking gear — all available to borrow free of charge.
Mark Fink, executive director of Anythink Libraries, explains that the initiative aims to foster a personal connection with nature, especially amid debates over climate science. The building itself is a model of sustainability: built from local stone, it features 370 solar panels and a geothermal heating and cooling system. The surrounding 6-hectare site includes eight themed gardens and a hiking trail, while indoors a boulder field made from local quarry rocks invites children to play.
Among the first visitors was Paula Jensen, who brought her 88-year-old mother. Her mother, using a walker, strolled through a peaceful rock garden and borrowed a wooden puzzle and a Danielle Steel novel, delighted that everything was free. Jensen, mindful of Colorado’s ongoing water shortage, plans to borrow a book on drought-resistant gardening. The library’s free workshops on birdwatching and gardening aim to build confidence in outdoor activities.
Sources: theguardian.com
The words in bold are from the article.
| 1. inaugurated | a. water-efficient |
| 2. barriers | b. earth-heat |
| 3. engagement | c. project |
| 4. initiative | d. opened |
| 5. sustainability | e. self-assurance |
| 6. geothermal | f. obstacles |
| 7. site | g. involvement |
| 8. quarry | h. stone mine |
| 9. drought-resistant | i. environmental responsibility |
| 10. confidence | j. location |
1.d 2.f 3.g 4.c 5.i 6.b 7.j 8.h 9.a 10.e