Spending Time in Nature: How Do Public Libraries Increase Access?

Research shows spending time in nature improves both physical and mental well-being. Practitioner-based resources reveal libraries offer programs to increase access to natural experiences. However, there is a lack of research that explores specifically how this works. This study begins to fill this gap by providing initial insight into what libraries offer. StoryWalk (R) and outdoor storytimes were the most common type of nature program, and programs offered for all ages and families were most frequently mentioned in resources analyzed. To support this trend, additional research on what is happening in public libraries to support access to nature is needed.