Starting this semester, students now have the opportunity to borrow a plant from the High Library. On January 24th, the library hosted a plant potting party in the Idea Lab, at which students were able to plant one of the library’s 50 plants and take it home. Some of these plants were donated by students and faculty, while the rest came from a grant from the Associated College Libraries of Central Pennsylvania.
You might be wondering why the High Library started this program in the first place. According to Etown librarian Sarah Penniman, the idea sprouted from similar practices elsewhere. “Some libraries… do seed libraries, where you can check out some seeds and then plant them,” said Penniman. “But then we thought, ‘What would happen if we circulated the plants themselves?’” Etown is creative when it comes to making new programs.
With that, the idea of the plant lending program was born. It became open to the student body with the plant potting party, which proved to be a huge success. Penniman says that everyone had a great time at the party. “Some of them have never planted a plant before, so it was a wonderful experience all around. We were so happy to be able to provide that opportunity in addition to the plants,” said Penniman. Since the potting event, the rest of the plants quickly found their temporary loving homes with individual members of the student body. “All of our plants went out and were borrowed within the first week, if not the first 72 hours,” said Penniman.. That means that there are currently no more plants left to borrow until the beginning of the next semester.
The plants themselves may offer their own sense of calm to students who check them out. “We found studies that suggested that being in the presence of greenery and caring for plants is helpful in reducing stress, and we appreciated the nurturing aspect in caring for the plants,” said Penniman. We thought it would just be a nice boost in the middle of the winter to be able to offer this service.”
If you are considering checking out a plant next semester, do not be discouraged by the fear of killing it . The responsibility of owning a plant is more easily comparable to that of a pet rock than a pet dog. According to the High Library’s “Guide to Care and Feeding” page on its website, the plant doesn’t need much more than sunlight and water (and maybe a little bit of love). These plants should only need a small amount of water once a week or so. You can tell when it needs water by the way that the soil feels: if it is dry to the touch, then the plant is thirsty. If it is still damp, then it might be wise to wait before watering it again so that mold does not grow and the plant does not drown.
This guide also contains a reassuring message for anxious potential plant parents: “Keep in mind, plants don’t typically die in a week. There’s plenty of wiggle room for mistakes.” Keeping a plant evidently has the added benefit of teaching problem-solving skills, as the owner can decide which variables to change in order to maintain a healthy herb. Of course, the librarians are always available to answer your questions as well.
If your borrowed plant does die, have no fear–there is no fine. You can take it back to the library and try again with a new one next semester.
For more information about the program and the wonders of plant parenthood, check your inbox for an email sent by High Library Elizabethtown College or visit https://libraryguides.etown.edu/plants
