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Interlochen Public Library

Welcome to Interlochen Public Library

IPL offers various collections of media and formats to meet the needs of our diverse population.

                 

Wild Things by Tim Kluck

Discover the fascinating world of mycology and outdoor foraging with our free class on identifying mushrooms and safe foraging practices! Great for aspiring mushroom hunters or those simply interested in our natural environment's diverse flora and fauna, this class offers valuable insights and practical knowledge.

What You'll Learn:
  1. Mushroom Identification
  • Basic Anatomy: Understand the different parts of a mushroom, including the cap, gills, stem, and spores.
  • Common Species: Learn to identify common edible mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and porcini, as well as how to distinguish them from their toxic look-alikes.
  • Field Guides and Tools: Get tips on using field guides, apps, and tools like magnifying glasses and spore prints for accurate identification.
  1. Safe Foraging Practices
  • Ethical Foraging: Learn the principles of foraging responsibly to ensure the sustainability of wild populations and minimal impact on ecosystems.
  • Legal Considerations: Understand the legal aspects of foraging, including permits, property rights, and local regulations.
  • Safety Precautions: Get advice on safety measures, such as wearing appropriate clothing, carrying first aid supplies, and informing someone of your foraging plans.
  1. Wild Edibles and Medicinals
  • Plant Identification: Expand your knowledge beyond mushrooms to include wild edible plants and medicinal herbs.
  • Seasonal Foraging: Learn what to forage in different seasons and how to preserve your finds for year-round use.
  • Cooking and Preparation: Discover tasty recipes and preparation methods for your foraged foods.
  1. Connecting with Nature
  • Observation Skills: Enhance your ability to observe and appreciate the natural world, noting changes in ecosystems and seasonal patterns.
  • Nature Journaling: Start a nature journal to record your findings, thoughts, and experiences, fostering a deeper connection with the environment.
Why Join This Class?
  • Expert Instructors: Learn from experienced foragers who share their expertise and passion for the natural world.
  • Community: Connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and build a network of fellow nature enthusiasts.

This class is free and open to all. Embark on an educational adventure and gain the confidence to explore and enjoy nature's bounty safely. Join us and unlock the secrets of the wild world around you!

We want the best for all Interlochen residents, so I’m very proud to share that Interlochen Public Library has received a national grant to help make our community an even better place for everyone. Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities. 

The competitive award comes with a $20,000 grant to help the library increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs for disabled people in our community. 

As part of the grant, IPL staff will take an online course on leading conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host an in-person discussion with residents with disabilities about their needs and how to use the grant funds to serve our community members with disabilities better. 

There is a lot of room for collaboration with your organization! Your deep connections to the disabled community and experience working with children/adults with disabilities will help us reach our goals. Here is the link to our brief (and anonymous) survey to help develop an Accessible Small and Rural Communities Disability Access and Inclusion Plan to guide our initiatives to provide enhanced spaces and services. Your survey responses will help us figure out where we can improve. We will be sure to handle your feedback with the highest confidentiality.  

Many thanks for your consideration and your work in the community.

Sincerely,
Jennifer, IPL Library Director 

Play is the path young children take to learning. Children learn best when meaningful play is both challenging and fun! IPL's Play & Learn follows the "science of play" and specializes in creating intentional play environments to set children up for both learning success (IQ) and emotional development (EQ).
We combine meaningful play with a dynamic and developmentally appropriate learning environment to expand children's cognitive, social, emotional, language, and motor abilities. We believe in our children's competency to use play to develop their unique perceptions and ideas about the world.

Sep 26 Herbal Gifts from the Garden Class with Patti Travioli at Interlochen Public Library

Join us for an enriching, hands-on class at IPL, Herbal Gifts from the Garden Class with Patti Travioli of Heartwood Forest Farm on Thur., Sep 26, 5 pm-7 pm, at Interlochen Public Library. You will learn how to create delightful herbal gifts straight from your garden. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this class offers valuable insights for everyone. Learn about preserving the final garden harvest, including tips, recipes, demonstrations, and tastings. Learn about drying culinary herbs for your pantry, creating warm tea blends for your health, and creating herbal gifts from the garden for the upcoming holidays. This class is for ages 12 and up. Please note for those with a tree nut allergy, one recipe will include walnuts. Preregistration is required by calling the library at 231-276-6767.

Join Us for Stepping into STEAM Time!

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of STEAM? Join us for a one-of-a-kind experience where we will engage all our senses to delve into Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics in a hands-on, experiential way! Whether you're a curious toddler or a wise middle schooler, there's always something new and exciting to discover.

What to Expect?
  • Touch: Get hands-on with interactive exhibits that let you feel the wonders of engineering and technology.
  • Smell: Experience the intriguing scents of various scientific experiments and natural phenomena.
  • Taste: Savor the flavors of chemistry with safe and fun edible experiments.
  • Listen: Tune in to the sounds of mathematical patterns and artistic expressions.
  • See: Marvel at the visual splendor of art and science coming together in beautiful harmony.
Why Attend?

This event fosters curiosity and inspires a love for learning in individuals of all ages. Whether you're a budding scientist, an aspiring engineer, a creative artist, or someone who loves to explore, Stepping into STEAM promises diverse activities to cater to your interests and age group.

Don't Miss Out!

Join us for a morning filled with discovery, creativity, and fun. Let's explore the world of STEAM together, one sense at a time!