Beyond Books: Anythink's Gamble on Nature as the Future of Public Value

THORNTON, CO – July 14, 2026 – On August 8, a new kind of public institution will open its doors in this Denver suburb. It will have books and librarians, but to call it a library would be an understatement. The Anythink Nature Library, built on a 15-acre campus adjacent to a 140-acre open space, is a bold experiment in redefining the purpose and permanence of our most trusted community anchors. By weaving environmental exploration into the very fabric of its services, Anythink is making a strategic wager: that in an era of digital distraction and ecological anxiety, the most valuable service a library can provide is a profound connection to the natural world.

This is not merely a library with a nice garden. It is, by its own and many other accounts, the nation’s first public nature library—a 33,000-square-foot facility conceived from the ground up to dissolve the walls between learning, community, and the environment. In a world grappling with surface-level volatility, from market fluctuations to social trends, the Anythink project represents a deep-seated investment in resilience. It is an institution built not just for today's needs, but as a durable asset designed to cultivate community well-being for generations to come.

A New Model for Public Institutions

The Anythink library system has long been a quiet revolutionary in the public sector. For years, it has operated on the frontier of what a library can be, eschewing the rigid Dewey Decimal system for a more intuitive "bookshop model," rebranding librarians as "guides," and building a loyal following with its "TryIts"—experiential kits ranging from ghost hunting gear to musical instruments. This history of challenging convention provides the crucial context for its latest, most ambitious venture.

The Nature Library is the logical culmination of this philosophy. It recognizes a fundamental shift in the landscape of public needs. While other libraries are adding nature programs or sustainable features as welcome enhancements, Anythink has made nature its central organizing principle. “Public libraries have always evolved alongside the needs of their communities,” said Mark Fink, Executive Director of Anythink Libraries. “The Nature Library represents the next evolution: a place where books, nature, science and community come together to inspire curiosity and connection.”

This evolution is a direct response to a world where access to green space is increasingly unequal and the benefits of nature—reduced stress, improved mental health, and stronger community bonds—are more critical than ever. The model moves beyond the transactional role of lending books and providing internet access, instead positioning the library as a proactive force for public health and ecological literacy. By creating a space where a child can check out a book on birds and then immediately use a bird-watching kit on an adjacent nature trail, the library is fostering a holistic learning cycle that is both deeply personal and universally beneficial. It’s a powerful example of an organization looking beneath the surface to identify and serve the enduring needs of its constituents.

Rooted in Community and Place

The creation of the Anythink Nature Library was not an abstract thought experiment; it was a direct response to tangible local demand. Community assessments in Thornton and Adams County revealed a clear and growing desire for more connection to the outdoors. With nearly half of Thornton residents wanting more natural open spaces and a majority of Adams County residents considering parks and trails essential to their way of life, the project’s foundation is built on solid ground.

This data is further contextualized by regional trends. Adams County's population is projected to grow 18% by 2030, putting pressure on existing public resources. Simultaneously, a notable increase in residents reporting poor mental health between 2019 and 2021 underscores the urgent need for accessible wellness infrastructure. The Nature Library is strategically positioned to address both challenges, providing a vital community hub that can scale with a growing population while offering restorative natural experiences.

The $45 million project is a testament to strategic partnership. The City of Thornton, which owned the adjacent 140-acre Aylor Open Lands, collaborated with Anythink to realize a shared vision. The city had originally purchased the land for a park, and the idea for a nature-centric library emerged from discussions about how to create the greatest possible community value. This synergy ensures the library is not an isolated building but an integrated part of a larger public landscape, with the city planning to develop the rest of the open lands with trails and a discovery area by 2027. This long-range planning demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how to build lasting civic assets.

Designed for Kinship and Stewardship

What truly sets the Anythink Nature Library apart is its philosophical core. The entire project is grounded in the "Environmental Kinship Model," a framework that seeks to reframe humanity's relationship with the environment. This model, which posits that humans are not separate from but rather cohabiters within the natural world, guided every decision, from the architectural blueprints to the programming slate.

Crucially, this vision was co-created. Anythink established an advisory council that included Indigenous and Native American leaders, whose input was foundational. This deep collaboration moves beyond token consultation to embed ancestral wisdom about ecological interdependence into the institution's DNA. The result is a space designed not just for observation, but for participation. Visitors are encouraged to see themselves as part of a living system, a perspective that is essential for fostering genuine environmental stewardship.

This ethos is made tangible throughout the 15-acre campus. An art and science lab, immersive sensory environments, a living plant wall, and even a designated water flow and mud pit invite hands-on engagement. The building itself, pursuing a LEED Gold certification, is a lesson in sustainability, featuring over 300 solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, and bird-safe glass. It is a structure that practices what it preaches, demonstrating that human endeavors can exist in harmony with the natural world. The architecture is not just a container for activities but an active participant in the library’s mission.

Cultivating Curiosity Beyond the Walls

The ultimate measure of the Nature Library's success will be its ability to create lasting impact beyond its physical footprint. Its most powerful tool for achieving this is an expansive collection of "TryIts," the experiential kits that have become an Anythink signature. The library will launch with approximately 550 items across 65 unique collections, including bird-watching kits, wildlife cameras, hiking gear, microscopes, and even camping equipment.

This "library of things" is a brilliant mechanism for democratizing access to nature. It systematically removes the financial and knowledge barriers that often prevent families from exploring the outdoors. By allowing patrons to borrow expensive equipment, the library empowers them to experiment with new hobbies and develop skills with confidence. It transforms the library from a passive repository of information into an active launchpad for adventure and discovery. The long-term goal of offering over 1,500 items signals a deep commitment to this model of experiential learning.

This approach embodies a core principle of creating permanent value: empowering individuals. The library is not just giving people a fish; it is teaching them to fish, hike, camp, and observe, fostering a sense of capability and curiosity that will last a lifetime. As Executive Director Mark Fink aptly stated, “The Nature Library is an invitation. We believe curiosity is the first step toward stewardship, and we’re excited to welcome our community into this new chapter.” By investing in curiosity, Anythink is investing in a future where community members are more connected, more resilient, and more engaged stewards of their shared environment.