Algonquin library celebrates Pollinator Week June 19-25

The Algonquin Area Public Library District board has issued a proclamation to recognize June 19-25 as Pollinator Week in the library district. In addition to recognizing the value that all pollinators play in the local environment and ecosystem, the proclamation presented a new partnership between the library district and the Village of Algonquin to promote the welfare of all pollinators, with a specific focus on the monarch butterfly.

"AAPLD has a history of providing programs and resources - and partnering with community organizations - to educate our community about native plants, animals, and insects," said Executive Director Stephen Bero. "We are committed to working with the community to promote the welfare and proliferation of the monarch butterfly so that it will flourish once again."

From June 19-25, library visitors can pick up a free packet of milkweed plant seeds, one packet per household, while supplies last. Native milkweed plants provide habitat for the monarch; without milkweed, their larva would not be able to develop into a butterfly.

The library will provide pollinator education through displays of resources and social media posts. The library is also committed to planting milkweed in existing gardens and planters and is currently developing a pollinator garden in a raised planting bed near the Harnish Main Library building.

In 2007, the U.S. Senate approved the annual designation of National Pollinator Week in June, which marked a step in recognizing and addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. Pollinator Week is now an international celebration of bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles as critical contributors to Earth's ecosystem. The library invites the community to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what can be done to protect them.

For details, visit www.aapld.org or call (847) 458-6060.