Library Displays
For both children and adults interested in Nature these two Sperry-Galligar Audubon displays could be seen at the Pittsburg, KS Public Library, during the entire month of September 2003. These displays represent some of the efforts by the Sperry-Galligar Audubon Education Committee, chaired by Ann and Roger Willis.
Last year Ann Willis had a similar cabinet display in the Library that was a real attention getter. Not resting with last year's success Ann and Roger created another great display case. Some of the contents were:
- First Shelf: A Joplin Globe Newspaper article about the recent KDW&P's purchase of 30 acres of land adjacent to Galena's "Schermerhorn Park". Sperry-Galligar Audubon has supported the creation of the "Southeast Kansas Nature Center of Galena, KS" being developed at Schermerhorn Park.
- Second Shelf: Skulls of various birds, binoculars, a field guide to birds and a "Teachers Guide to Audubon Adventures" - for a study kit placed in area elementary schools.
- Third Shelf: Study skins of several small birds and a series of lower jaws from mammals.
- Fourth Shelf: Mussel shells, that were excavated from the footing of the demolished old Oswego, KS High School, that were drilled with holes - from the early 1900's Button Factories, snake and turtle skeletons, and a series of pigeon embryos.
This year an additional display was developed, by Jim Brunfield, for the Children's Library. Jim maintained a series of jars and cages that contained various stages of the Monarch butterfly's metamorphosis. Daily visits, over a period of time by children and adults alike, saw what most have never witnessed. A Monarch butterfly larva feeding on milkweed leaves, then making a chrysalis (the pupa stage), and then emerging as an adult butterfly - right before everyone's eyes. In fact, when we took these photos, the Librarian was excited to relate that while doing a "Story Time" for the children, one chrysalis opened and out came the butterfly - seen in container - above. An event that few ever witness and none will forget.
Those that viewed these displays will surely walk away with a better understanding and appreciation for the natural world. Mission accomplished! Thanks to Ann, Roger & Jim.
