A small room in the library has been transformed into a space to relax and experience nature with a focus on birds, Library Director Stephanie Weber said.

“Nature’s Nook” was made possible through a $500 donation from the Paul Weber Memorial Fund to the Friends of the Florence County Library.

The Florence County resident, who passed away in 2021, had a great love for nature, especially birds.

“He instilled the love of birds that I have, as well as our whole family,” said his son, Pat Weber, who is a wildlife habitat specialist with the American Bird Conservancy.

Lois Weber made the visit from Kiel, Wis., to see the new room at the Florence County Library for the first time last week. Lois and her son, Pat Weber, check out nature literature.

In addition to working with the Department of Natural Resources, Paul Weber owned and operated a game bird farm.

“He really wouldn’t let us hunt them because he loved them so much,” said Pat Weber, noting his parents moved from Kiel, Wis., to Florence in 2010 after he retired.

He was also a huge bird watcher and sold bird feeders, giving many away as gifts to friends and family.

Pat Weber said the original intent was to purchase small warbler replicas to go along with his presentations at the library. “But, I just couldn’t find what I was looking for,” he said.

This past winter, he and his wife, Stephanie Weber, discussed the possibilities of doing something with the unused gaming room to honor his father.

Weber explained that when he isn’t out in the field working, he would stream YouTube live casts of bird feeders while doing paperwork, especially during the winter months.

This inspired the idea for “Nature’s Nook.”

The space’s main attraction is a 50-inch high-definition smart TV that continuously live-casts backyard bird feeders, raptor nests and other bird habitats across the globe.

“It’s like sitting in your living room and looking out the window, watching the birds,” said Stephanie Weber, who has been with the library since 2011.

She added that oftentimes 15 to 20 birds will be at a feeder, making enough noise for staff members and patrons to peek in to see what’s happening. Many times they can see them feeding the birds as well, she said.

“It will be neat in the wintertime when bird feeder activity is at its greatest,” Pat Weber said. “Although there is a lot more activity at the feeders than I thought there would be this time of year.”

The library staff explores several YouTube live channels so patrons can watch a variety of species.

The entire staff was in full agreement on the project, as all are nature people, most being retired teachers, Stephanie Weber added.

“As part of the donation, my only request was to keep the TV on a live bird feed,” Pat Weber said.

“Nature’s Nook” is furnished with two chairs, a sofa, a reading lamp and a coffee table to create a comfortable experience.

Stephanie Weber selected nature artwork for the walls as well.

Key reading resources are available in the “Nook,” including a bird field guide to help identify what’s observed on the bird live casts.

“Dad was always reading papers — his favorite was the Wisconsin Outdoor News — so we made sure to include that newspaper,” Pat Weber said.

Patrons are welcome to the free literature on birds and general wildlife.

He hopes that the project will create more awareness about birds in general.

Paul’s wife, Lois Weber, made the visit from Kiel last week to see the room for the first time. Lois Weber worked for the Florence County Forestry Department and was a volunteer at the library.

The Webers believe “Nature’s Nook” is the perfect representation of Paul Weber, from the birds to the reading lamp.

“Everyone is already enjoying it,” Stephanie Weber said. “I have a couple little boys that will sit on the loveseat and just watch the birds.”

She added she is happy to see the room now being used and getting such a positive response.

The library plans to host an open house in the future highlighting its new addition.

They feature several special events throughout the month, including a bird presentation by Weber in which he utilized the library’s theater system.

“The community is encouraged to come in, grab reading material, relax in a comfortable chair or couch, and take in the experience of watching birds live from the comfort of ‘Nature’s Nook,'” she said.

Library hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Friday and Saturday.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.