Polk County Public Libraries received a grant from the Institute for Learning Innovation for the Rural Gateways: Fostering the Development of Rural Librarians as Informal Science Facilitators project. There will be a four session, interactive adult book club and discussion group series called Pushing the Limits at the Columbus Library every month from August to November. Each session will involve a book discussion as well as a talk with a local expert who will share information and knowledge about each theme in a hands-on format.

The first session, Pushing the Limits of Knowledge, is on Tuesday, August 22 at 6 p.m. Participants will discuss the book “Land of the Painted Caves” by Jean Auel and learn about foraging and wild foods with Todd Elliott, biologist and primitive skills specialist.

For September’s session, Pushing the Limits of Nature, Emily Walker from Chimney Rock Park will bring birds of prey native to our area to the library.

Aaron and Nicole Bradley, owners of Bradley Farms, will discuss the local farm-to-table movement and environmental sustainability during Pushing the Limits of Survival in October. And to wrap up the series in November, ASL interpreter Jennifer Langdon will teach basic American Sign Language words and phrases for Pushing the Limits of Connection.

A free book will be given to the first 15 participants to sign up for each session. Email ahill@polklibrary.org or call 828-894-8721 x226 to register. 

To learn more, visit www.polklibrary.org.

– article submitted by Jen Pace Dickenson