Libraries Are for the Birds (Watchers, That Is)

Whether you’re a newbie or a longtime bird watcher, your library can help nurture your hobby.

Libraries contain a wealth of information on just about any topic imaginable. But one of the many benefits of libraries is that there may be ways to learn about something that don’t necessarily involve researching in a book or a database. For example: Interested in learning about birds? Sure, you can check out books about birds at the library. But that’s not all you can do at many libraries across the US. Today, libraries can serve as a jumping-off point for exploring the avian world.

East Lansing Public Library

East Lansing Public Library in Michigan has a monthly ELPL Birders Club, where those interested in birds, whether first-timers or seasoned watchers, can gather and share tips, learn about resources, and plan bird-watching group walks. The library celebrated its centennial in 2023, and to honor that, created the “100 Years, 100 Birds” challenge for library patrons.

Madison Public Library

Madison Public Library in Wisconsin developed a resource program that allows patrons to check out birding backpacks. Each backpack contains one pair each of adult and child binoculars, a Sibley Field Guide for adults, a Madison Audubon Field Guide for youth, and a location guide to help them find potential birding spots near the library. The backpacks can be checked out for seven days at a time. The backpacks were made possible via a donation from the feminist Bird Club-Madison Chapter and the Madison Public Library Foundation.

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Livingston Public Library

In Livingston, NJ, the Livingston Public Library hosted an event with a local bird enthusiast and developed an extensive reading and research list covering a wide variety of birding topics, from beginning birding to understanding bird migrations to how to attract birds to gardens and feeders to avian scents.

Andover Public Library

Kansas’ Andover Public Library wants kids to develop an interest in birds at a young age. Thanks to the Wichita Audubon Society, which donated bird feeders to the library, and a local retailer for donating bird seed, the library is helping kids learn about birds when they visit the library. They’ve even compiled a list of birds spotted near the library, everything from the American crow to a white-crowned sparrow.

Sacramento Public Library

In California, the Sacramento Audubon Society also partners with the local library to provide Bird Watching Kits for patrons with library cards. These can be reserved in advance and contain child and adult binoculars, a tripod adapter, two National Geographic bird guides, and a California State Library Parks Pass.

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Cincinnati Public Library

Cincinnati Public Library has a cheeky program called Bird Nerds that welcomes fellow feather-fans to monthly events, including mindful bird-watching sessions. Bonus: The library has one of the few still-intact copies of John James Audubon’s Birds of America, which patrons can view.

Henrico County Public Library

Virginia’s Henrico County Public Library supports the local annual Great Backyard Bird Count by offering programming about how to participate in the bird count, citizen science, creating DIY bird feeders, and even a bird-themed film festival. They also have an extensive list of resources for adults and children.

Libraries understand that there are amazing things to be learned outside the four walls of the library building. Are you interested in birding, but your local library doesn’t have resources? Consider doing what others have done (as described above) and help the library find resources to donate bird-watching info and materials. Maybe your library can create bird-watching backpacks!

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