One library in Alaska gives the musical phrase “ hands - on learning ” a raw meaning .
TheAlaska Resources Library and Information Services(ARLIS ) in Anchorage gas a huge array of literature dedicated to the state ’s wildlife and natural resource , as one might expect . However , patron who are less into books and more into actual - biography discipline can check out some strange offerings — deadened animals , skulls , or pelts — from the information sum ’s collection of taxidermy items .
equip with the library ’s local , environmentally - focused mission , all of the animal arenative to Alaska . harmonise to theAlaska Dispatch News , the collecting start out as a scattered compartmentalization of artefact donate by government organizations . Most of them come up from Fish and Game , which occasionally contribute taxidermy items out to the public . After ARLIS formed in 1997 , the library was put in alteration of the specimens and they established a formal loaning method acting .
Here ’s how it work : beast , fur , and bones are save in Plexiglas compositor’s case and sent home with citizenry for up to two weeks at a time . The only requisite ? You ca n’t take the items from their glass container , you ca n’t take off the tags , you have to sign a statement of responsibility , and you ’re financially responsible for any equipment casualty .
About one physical object is check off out per 24-hour interval . essay - after items reportedly include bear and wolf fur — which are used in Boy Scout promotional ceremonial — and white owl mountain ( thinkHarry Potterfans ) . Scientists , educators , artists , Boy Scouts , and parent all borrow from the collection , as did set designers forThe Frozen Ground , a 2013 film about Alaskan liquidator Robert Hansen .
Want to watch more ? tick off out the library’sonline inventory . You ’re bind to stumble upon at least one specimen that offend your peculiarity .
[ h / tAtlas Obscura , Alaska Dispatch News ]
