Libraries are often thought of as a place for kids to grow their imagination through reading, but the Wareham Free Library is also a place for kids to get growing. Vegetables, that is.

The library has teamed up with the Wareham Boys and Girls Club to plant its first community garden. Children from the club have participated in preparing and planting the garden for the past month and will be involved with maintenance and harvesting vegetables throughout the season. The season’s harvest of vegetables will go to the club.

The garden was started by the Wareham Library Foundation. The program received two $1,000 grants - one from the Greater New Bedford Allies for Health and Wellness and one from the A.D. Makepeace Neighborhood Fund.

Kerry Mello, who oversees the project, said that like the vegetables, the program continues to grow.

“The number of kids grows every single week,” she said. “The kids really enjoy it.”

The participants have been planting squash, beans, pumpkins, and more. During a planting session on June 10, the kids agreed that getting down in the dirt is their favorite part.

“I like planting. Every week we come and watch how our plants have grown,” said 9-year-old Jorie Kyle.

Mello said the garden helps foster a sense of community at the library and serves as a fun teaching tool.

The library will also be featuring books and materials that are part of an expanded collection on gardening, sustainability, healthy eating and other related topics.

The garden project will feature monthly lectures on a variety of related topics, including the benefits of composting, sustainable gardening practices, the value and availability of farmers' market, and garden visitors such as insects and animals.

The Wareham Library Foundation is sponsoring a program on Saturday, June 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to kick off the new community garden at the Wareham Free Library.