William “Bill” Whitfield Smith Community Garden
“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” – Cicero
Imagine a magical space where children and adults alike can learn about gardening, raise organically grown produce, find respite, and enjoy community engagement. Thanks to the vision and passionate advocacy efforts of former children’s librarian Shorlette Ammons, such a space exists on the property of Wayne County Public Library. Since its inception, the goal of the library’s gardening initiative has been to cultivate plants and people through gardening. On October 16th, 2011, the library’s garden was officially named in dedication and in loving memory of William “Bill” Whitfield Smith, a former library trustee. The community garden has served as a valuable cultural resource for its citizens, residents and visitors and it is fitting that the garden is named in honor of Bill Smith, a gentleman of integrity and generosity who loved his community. Wayne County Public Library has a deep appreciation for Shorlette Ammons, our garden angel, who helped us spread hope and strengthened our community.
A variety of public gardening programs are offered throughout the year and are supported by the Friends of Wayne County Public Library.
EcoEXPLORE
The Wayne County Public Library has become a new hotspot for ecoEXPLORE! https://www.ecoexplore.net/
For those of you who haven't heard of it, ecoEXPLORE (Experiences Promoting Learning Outdoors for Research and Education) is an incentive-based citizen science program for children in grades K-8.
Developed by The North Carolina Arboretum, this innovative program combines science exploration with kid-friendly technology to foster a fun learning environment for children while encouraging them to explore the outdoors and participate in citizen science.
Ecoexplorers can earn extra points for photographing organisms at the Wayne County Public Library's garden or area (or by visiting any of the hotspots or loanspots on this map, https://www.ecoexplore.net/locations) Point can be used to purchase items such as binoculars, bee houses, and even an iPod Touch!
How to Explore?
See It!
After signing up online, participants go outside in their own backyard or at designated ecoEXPLORE HotSpots to find wildlife species, including plants, reptiles, amphibians, insects and birds.
Snap it!
Participants can use their own device – or check out an iPod Touch at a participating LoanSpot location – and photograph their wildlife observation, noting the data, location, time, size and species observed.
Share it!
Participants then log into their ecoEXPLORE profile online and submit their “share” or observation. Arboretum staff will then review the data and submit all approved submissions to the iNaturalist Network, which is used by real scientists!