New 33,000-Square-Foot Library Invites the Community to Explore, Learn and Connect With the Natural World

Adams County’s public library system, Anythink Libraries, announces the upcoming opening of the Anythink Nature Library, the first-of-its-kind 33,000-square-foot library on 15 acres of land in Thornton adjacent to the 140-acre Aylor Open Lands. Slated to open in August 2026, Anythink’s eighth branch will blend indoor and outdoor experiences designed to help the community explore nature, develop environmental stewardship and build deeper connections with the natural world.

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Exterior rendering of the Anythink Libraries Nature Library in Thornton, Colorado, opening August 2026. Designed as a first-of-its-kind public library experience, the 33,000-square-foot building sits on a 15-acre campus next to Aylor Open Lands and reimagines what a modern library can be. The architecture draws from natural forms, with circular structures, expansive glass and landscaped gardens that invite movement between indoor and outdoor spaces. Visitors will have access to a one-mile walking trail, outdoor learning areas and nature-based programming that extends beyond traditional library services. The Nature Library positions Adams County at the forefront of library innovation, combining community space, environmental education and accessible outdoor experiences in a single destination designed for all ages.

The Anythink Nature Library will be a place where curiosity and care for the natural world take root. Grounded in the Environmental Kinship Model and expected to be LEED Gold-certified, the library has also been shaped by insights from Indigenous and Native American leaders on the Anythink Nature Library Advisory Council. This experience-driven space invites visitors of all ages to explore their connection to nature through welcoming environments, hands-on TryIts and guidance from knowledgeable experts within a community hub designed for learning, reflection and discovery.

“This library reflects our belief that learning happens everywhere, especially when people feel connected to the natural world around them,” said Mark Fink, Executive Director of Anythink Libraries. “The Nature Library will create a space where curiosity about nature grows into a deeper sense of stewardship and belonging.”

Continuing its mission to center the Nature Library around the needs and interests of local community members, Anythink Libraries invites folks to help shape the future of the Nature Library by completing a public input survey (in English and Spanish) open now through April 10. Feedback from the survey will help inform programming, experiences and community uses for the space.

Located at the intersection of East 136th Avenue and Newport Street in Thornton, the Nature Library will feature immersive learning environments that will bring visitors closer to the natural world. The campus will include an indoor and outdoor nature lab, gardens and gathering spaces, along with a one-mile loop trail that connects visitors directly to outdoor exploration alongside traditional library services and programs. Interior spaces will include a sunroom designed for quiet reflection and natural light, as well as a dark room that will support sensory experiences and educational programming.

“Our vision for the Nature Library is to create a place where people can rediscover their relationship with the natural world,” Fink said. “By bringing together environmental learning, creativity and community engagement, this library will inspire curiosity and stewardship for generations to come.”

Community support has played an important role in bringing the project to life. In recognition of National Library Week from April 19 through April 25 and Earth Month in April, the Anythink Foundation will accept online donations to enhance and expand programs and fund public art at the Nature Library. Programming at the Nature Library will focus on environmental literacy, creativity and lifelong learning. Experiences will range from outdoor education and gardening workshops to interactive nature-based programs for children, teens and adults.

As a thank-you, individuals who donate $500 or more toward the Nature Library will be invited to attend an exclusive preview tour of the library this summer, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the space before it officially opens to the public. Individuals who donate between $25 to $499 will be entered into a raffle to win tickets to this preview tour.

“Community generosity has always helped bring Anythink’s most ambitious ideas to life,” Fink said. “Support through the Anythink Foundation helps ensure the Nature Library becomes a place where people of all ages can discover nature, learn together and build a lasting relationship with the environment.”

For more information about the Anythink Nature Library, visit anythinklibraries.org/anythink-nature-library.

About Anythink Libraries

Anythink, an award-winning public library system, serves the residents of Adams County, Colorado via its seven branches, a bookmobile and an upcoming Nature Library and Express Library in Reunion. With a mission to “Open Doors for Curious Minds,” Anythink is a catalyst for innovation and provides comfortable spaces, accessible resources and hands-on programming for all ages. Guided by values of creativity, optimism, compassion and lifelong learning, the library system is committed to representing the diversity of Adams County and creating a sense of belonging for everyone. Anythink’s digital resources are available 24/7—including Anythink World, the library's custom virtual experience platform in the metaverse. The library’s customer experience also extends to specialty spaces and hands-on programs like The Studio, the Nature Library and mySummer. Whether you're exploring a new topic or mastering a skill, discover something new at Anythink. Learn more: anythinklibraries.org.

About the Anythink Foundation

Founded in 2009, the Anythink Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports innovation and creativity in Adams County by raising private funds for special programs, projects and public art at Anythink. This support helps the library continue its mission to “open doors for curious minds” as a dynamic center for engagement. Anythink Foundation is the trade name for Rangeview Library Friends Foundation, Inc. EIN 26-4630183. Learn more: anythinklibraries.org/about/anythink-foundation.

About the Anythink Nature Library

The Anythink Nature Library is a first-of-its-kind public library designed to connect people with the natural world through hands-on learning, environmental exploration and community gathering. Located in Thornton, Colorado on 15 acres adjacent to the 140-acre Aylor Open Lands, the 33,000-square-foot library blends indoor and outdoor spaces including an indoor and outdoor nature lab, gardens, gathering areas and a one-mile loop trail. Grounded in the Environmental Kinship Model and shaped with insight from Indigenous and Native American leaders on the Anythink Nature Library Advisory Council, the Nature Library invites visitors of all ages to explore their relationship with nature through experiential programs, interactive TryIts and opportunities for reflection and discovery. Scheduled to open in August 2026, the Nature Library is part of the award-winning Anythink Libraries system serving Adams County. For more information about the Anythink Nature Library, visit anythinklibraries.org/anythink-nature-library.

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A new kind of library is coming to Adams County. Anythink Libraries will open its first-of-its-kind Nature Library in August 2026, a 33,000-square-foot space on 15 acres designed to connect people with the natural world.