Earth and the beauties that come from it are being celebrated in various ways this April at the Washington Public Library.

In recognition of Earth Day next week, teenagers in 6-12th grades are invited for a “meet-up and clean-up” at 4 p.m. this Monday in the downtown square. Participants are asked to meet in front of the library and wear a face mask, and gloves will be provided. The library is also giving out Earth Day STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) take-and-make bags beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 22nd, and families are asked to take one bag per child. Library Director Bryna Walker mentions they are also doing their annual seed exchange this month, “You can come in and donate seeds. We’ll take edibles, ornamentals, store bought, and home harvested, and they will be planted and shared in the community. So you just take a packet and then you leave a packet.”

The library also gave out “Sow Some Sunshine” take and make bags for youth to grow their own sunflowers at home. Families who took a bag are encouraged to send photos to the library showing their burgeoning gardeners. Patrons are reminded that the children’s area of the library is currently closed as they continue to respond to an interior incident from earlier this month, but the library is happy to pick out books and give recommendations.