Anythink Libraries opened the first public nature library in the U.S. on Saturday, Aug. 8 [1].
The facility shifts the traditional library model by treating outdoor equipment as borrowable resources. By providing free access to expensive gear, the library aims to remove financial barriers to nature and encourage environmental engagement within Adams County.
Located in Thornton, Colorado, the library sits off East 136th Avenue near Quebec Street [2]. The facility occupies a 33,000-square-foot building [3] situated on a 15-acre campus [4]. This location is strategically placed adjacent to the 140-acre Aylor Open Lands [5], allowing patrons to immediately utilize the materials they borrow.
Beyond traditional books, patrons can check out a variety of nature-related equipment. The inventory includes snowshoes, wildlife cameras, and camping gear [1]. This approach transforms the library into a hub for outdoor exploration rather than just a repository for printed text.
Anythink Libraries, an award-winning system in Adams County, designed the space to be community-focused and outdoors-oriented [1]. The goal is to let residents engage directly with the surrounding environment through the support of public resources [6].
The integration of the library with the neighboring open lands creates a seamless transition from learning to doing. Visitors can study local flora and fauna in the building before stepping directly into the protected habitat of the Aylor Open Lands [5].
“The first public nature library in the United States”
This project represents a shift toward the 'library of things' movement, where public institutions expand their mandates to include physical tools and equipment. By pairing a gear library with adjacent protected lands, Anythink Libraries is integrating educational resources with direct environmental access, potentially serving as a blueprint for other municipal systems seeking to promote public health and conservation.
