The Keene Public Library is honored to be named by the Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) as one of their 2026 Awardees! We are thrilled to receive their first Community Partner of the Year Award, which recognizes “a partner [CCCD] feel deserves recognition for their efforts, not only in partner projects, but also in the overall service they bring to the Cheshire County community.”
The library has partnered with the Cheshire County Conservation District for many years to make the outdoors and healthy living more accessible to all. The partnership began with the creation of the Garden Tool and Seed Library at the Keene Public Library and led to engaging community programs on food and gardening. Most recently the library worked with CCCD through the Monadnock Outdoors, a work group which is part of the Healthy Monadnock Alliance, to establish an Monadnock Gear Library. Library staff have remained engaged in the work group since.
These collections allow Cheshire County residents to borrow outdoor recreation and gardening gear and seeds at no cost, reducing barriers that might limit access. Together, CCCD and the library have worked to get residents outside and able to appreciate the natural beauty and land our region has to offer. Marti Fiske, the Library Director, and Amy Kraemer, Head of Youth and Community Services, will be accepting the Community Partner of the Year award on behalf of the Keene Public Library. We look forward to many more years in collaboration with the Cheshire County Conservation District.
