Andrew Carnegie Free Library hosts Earth Day celebration
Share this post:
Spring has always been my favorite season. I love the feeling of mild breezes on my face, the budding of the trees and the blooming of bulbs and the promise of new life after the dark winter. I associate the season with feelings of optimism, anticipation and renewal.
Of course, as a librarian, “renewal” usually has a different meaning for me. But in some ways, there’s a similarity to renewing a book and experiencing the renewal of spring. Both kinds of renewal grant us more time, and forestall an expected ending – whether it’s the end of the yearly cycle of life or the end of a three-week checkout period.
This year, spring means even more to me. It’s been a punishing winter – and even though we’re not out of the woods yet, the growing number of vaccinations offers a tantalizing hope that soon we’ll be able to gather in friendship and community once again.
With the coming of warm April weather, we at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall are looking forward to hosting more in-person gatherings outdoors on our grounds. Zoom kept us going for most of the last year, but it can’t compare to the feeling of joining with our neighbors for a shared experience. And what better way to celebrate the coming of Spring – and the return of in-person programs to our library – than with a family Earth Day spectacular?
It’s been more than 50 years since two Congresspersons – a Democrat and a Republican – came together to organize what turned out to be the first Earth Day in 1970. Millions of Americans participated in rallies, demonstrations and teach-ins, and a new public awareness of environmentalism washed over the country. Before the end of that year, the federal government had passed numerous new environmental protection laws and even formed a new department: the Environmental Protection Agency. Today, we still celebrate Earth Day every April 22.
At the Carnegie Carnegie, we couldn’t be more excited about inviting you to join us for this celebration. And a celebration it will be: we’re calling this event “Party Like It’s Your Earth Day!” Bring your family and join us on April 25.
You won’t want to miss this gathering – we’re going all out! We’ll be making eco-themed crafts, including clay seed balls and sidewalk chalk; learning to identify plants and trees; getting our hands dirty with composting demos; exploring a story walk and a scavenger hunt; and more. Plus, we’ll have snacks, music and big dancing puppets to help us celebrate.
As I watch the weather warming up, sap beginning to flow and animals emerging, I also look forward to the reemergence of the people of Carnegie. If you feel as eager as I do, I hope you’ll come join us at the Carnegie Carnegie to reconnect with our community. If you’re seeking renewal, find it at the library.
You can choose to attend “Party Like It’s Your Earth Day” from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., or from 1-2:30 p.m. Registration is required – please visit www.CarnegieCarnegie.org or call 412-276-3456.