MCLS Naturalist’s Book Club

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Literacy is an avenue that can lead us to a better understanding of the world we live in. 

Muskingum County Library System Assistant Reference Librarian Jeffrey Cornett explained how MCLS and Dillon State Park Naturalist Michael Durst are teaming up to offer The Naturalist’s Nature Book Club, which picks a book to read and discuss before meeting twice a month in a natural setting to discuss the contents.

“We’re going to read Jennifer Ackerman’s ‘What the Owl Knows,’” Cornett said. “So this goes into owl bio-cycles, migrations, feeding habits and basically what they do, how they communicate. Now these books aren’t text books, they’re actually fun reads. And we’re announcing it early because we want to make sure the people that sign up for the program have a chance to read the book. So we offer the book, so obviously they’re free of charge books.” 

Cornett explained how well Durst describes what’s written in the literature and often demonstrates many of the topics during the discussions. He also noted the diversity of conversations and people who have attended prior events. From farmers and outdoorsmen with hands-on experience to others who are eager to learn. 

“Well the Nature Center is near the Camp Store, so you park by the Camp Store, that’s Dillon Hills Drive,” Cornett said. “We meet twice a month, so the next sessions are going to be May 17th and May 31st. Those are both Saturdays and they go from 11 to 1. So in the program, not only do we discuss the book but we actually do some kind of nature oriented activity.”

To get started, you can find more information about obtaining the books and registering for the event at muskingumlibrary.org.