Teen gardeners bring green oasis to Belvedere-Tiburon Library

Belvedere-Tiburon Library volunteers Avery Tucker (left) of Tiburon and Jordan Marotto of Kentfield tend to the new teen garden on Aug. 7. It got started in May during the library’s Green Week, making use of neglected outdoor space. (Elliot Karlan / For The Ark)

Travelers on Tiburon Boulevard may soon see something new as they pass the Belvedere-Tiburon Library — the green-gold fronds of corn peeking over the library fence.

With the help of library staff and the Tiburon community, local teens have turned a neglected corner of the library into a bountiful green oasis full of ripening vegetables and plants for bees and butterflies.

Rebecca Jung, teen services librarian, got the idea of creating a teen gardening community-service club last year when the library reopened after its $18.31-million expansion, which included the creation of a new teen room that opens onto a small, fenced-in patio. The patio was neglected and full of construction materials left over from the renovation, Jung said.

For the complete story, pick up this week's edition of The Ark on newsstands or SUBSCRIBE NOW for home delivery and our e-edition.