Native prairie grasses have sprung from the rolling hills of central Oklahoma since long before anyone had a thought of writing a book or building a library to house it.
But the use and featuring of the natural Oklahoma habitat has been a focus in the design at Norman’s two newest libraries.
Norman Public Library East, 3051 E. Alameda, has a landscape including a variety of Buffalo grass and bluestem with patches of colorful flowers including goldenrod and the bright purple Eryngo that make up the area that begin the view from the windows on the north side of the building.
The library also has added a butterfly garden, with multiple flowers and plants adding another touch to the space. The purpose of the butterfly garden area is as a teaching area for visitors and also an opportunity to attract migrating butterflies to take their own break at the library. It’s yet another way the library can use a variety of resources to educate.
“You have five or six generations of butterflies migrating back and forth between Canada and Mexico; they’re just going across the country,” said Wayne Fjesth, a longtime library volunteer actively involved with helping with the butterfly garden.
“We’re keying on the monarch, but there will be at least 10 species we would expect to see, and also five to six species of bees. This provides a great area for them.”
The same can be said at Norman Public Library Central, opened in November 2019 at 103 Acres St. The library space utilizes multiple native Oklahoma grasses and the use of sedimentary rocks, including mudstone and sandstone in its design. It also sports a unique garden area that is actually on top of the first level of the building and viewable from the southside windows on the second and third floors.