Green Spring Gardens Library... Discover the Children’s Section
by Gioia Caiola Forman, Green Spring Master Gardener, and FROGS Board Member
The 31 acres of Green Spring Gardens (GSG) are often referred to as the “best kept secret in Fairfax County.” Those who know and love GSG know that there is much to offer everyone--from gardeners, dog walkers, and birders to young families, painters, and others.
The park includes a historic 18th-century brick house that is open to the public. The Horticulture Center houses the staff offices, a unique gift shop, an exciting glass house filled with tropical plants, and a (non-lending) horticulture research library that also contains a welcoming and growing children’s section.
Young families, grandparents, homeschoolers, and nannies can quickly spot this special children’s section with its tiny tables, rocking chairs, and shelves filled with puzzles, games, and hands-on activities. This area showcases the educational role of GSG; all the children’s books and activities have a flora and/or fauna theme.
The inviting space is maintained by two volunteers, both members of the Friends of Green Spring (FROGS) board: Janet DiStefano Greenhaugh and Elizabeth (Liz) Promen. Both of these extraordinary ladies have rich backgrounds in literature and children’s developmental needs. Janet has years of experience as a preschool school special education teacher, and Liz taught preschool and worked as a Fairfax County librarian.
Historically, children’s sections in libraries began in the early 1900’s. It was around this time that collections of children’s books became more popular. Public library collections attempted to both promote educational needs and also nurture the joy of reading.
GSG’s unique library collection of nature-related topics offers children’s books in many languages. There are books in Spanish, Korean, German, English, Vietnamese, and Persian. The languages reflect the wonderful diversity of the surrounding community. The activity shelves are filled with puzzles, games, art supplies, seasonal coloring sheets, and frequently changing Discovery Boxes that hold items of interest to children, including sea shells, pine cones, acorns, and leaves.
It was a treat to talk with Liz and Janet about their goals and objectives for the children’s area. They were enthusiastic about discovering new nature books in many languages and making sure that quality literature is available to the young visitors. Liz was excited about a book she recently discovered, a fascinating lesson on the praying mantis, “Good Sticks, Walking Sticks.” It’s a primer for the budding entomologist as well as adult gardeners who want to welcome these insects into their gardens. These “walking sticks” feed on the leaves of many deciduous trees, including oaks, hazelnuts, sassafras, black cherry, and black locust. They also eat clover. All of these grow in Green Spring’s gardens.
Janet and Liz welcome gently used garden books and garden magazines to resell to raise funds for the growing library collection.
The GSG staff and FROGS welcome everyone to come and enjoy all they have to offer in 2024. Let’s share this “best kept secret” and visit the library’s children’s section the next time you visit.
Library Photos by Janet Greenbaugh.
