This summer, libraries across Virginia held programs and events tying in with the theme “Unearth a Story”. For patrons of the Shenandoah County Library in Edinburg, unearthing a story involved a trip several stories underground.
The library partnered with Shenandoah Caverns, a local attraction, to hold a subterranean story time. While this unique program was a first for both the cavern and the library, it was not their first partnership. The library system has two family passes, provided by the caverns, available to be checked out by patrons for a free visit.
The day started with a welcome and brief history lesson from caverns manager, Joe Proctor, followed by a ride in the original elevator from 1931, complete with a folding metal gate and a large lever in lieu of buttons.
While the program did not include a full tour, participants were able to walk through several chambers on their way to the story time space, passing by towering stalagmites, looming stalactites, and rippled rock formations known as ‘bacon’.
Children’s Librarian, Erica Hepner, read two books with the assembled families. First was the picture book Stalactite and Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave by Drew Beckmeyer. The book cleverly follows a pair of matching cave formations as they grow closer together over the millennia. The second selection was the nonfiction book Caves by Nell Cross Beckerman, which highlights the vast diversity of caves around the world.
As the children learned about the transformative role of running water in the formation of caves, they could hear water flowing through a nearby underground stream. Water droplets occasionally fell on the group from stalactites hanging above, and the chilly air, a constant 54 degrees year-round, provided a stark contrast to the July weather above ground. It was a thoroughly immersive experience.
Due to the nature of this program, participation had to be limited to 30 participants. To include more children, and to accommodate those who were apprehensive about going below ground, Shenandoah Caverns staff graciously agreed to lead a follow-up program at the library. The day after the story time, Joe Proctor and event coordinator Ashley Proctor shared information with children about some scientifically significant fossils found in the caverns. While the actual long-nosed peccary (Mylohyus fossilis) fossils, which were discovered in 2023 by a team with the Virginia Speleological Survey, are currently being studied by researchers, Mr. Proctor brought a realistic model of one of the skulls. The children got to do some digging of their own during the second half of the program with tubs of sand, trowels, and sieves. Each child found a variety of gemstones to identify with field guides from the library and then take home.
The community partnership between the Shenandoah County Library System and Shenandoah Caverns created a unique opportunity to connect literacy with real-world experiences for area children.
