The Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) has awarded 43 Pennsylvania libraries funds to create a StoryWalk® exhibition in their community. Twelve libraries received funds to create a permanent StoryWalk® and 31 libraries received a StoryWalk® Mini-Grant.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. A StoryWalk® is a way to combine physical activity with literacy; it’s an innovative way to get people of all ages out walking while reading children’s picture books. Pages of a book are transformed into signs that are then laid out on a trail inviting families, children, caregivers, teachers, and others to follow the path of pages.
Libraries that were awarded a permanent StoryWalk® project will receive up to $7,500 in the form of reimbursements for the library to purchase materials to develop and install a permanent StoryWalk® exhibit in their community. Recipients of the Mini-Grant will receive up to $500 in the form of reimbursements for the library to purchase supplies and materials for an existing StoryWalk® installation, or to create a temporary StoryWalk® exhibit. A list of the libraries receiving the awards is at the bottom of this page.
With these funds, libraries, their communities, and their partners will develop literacy enriched activities and ideas that build children’s interest in reading while encouraging healthy outdoor activity and family engagement. This opportunity is funded through the Family Engagement Grant, a federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
In addition to the funding for libraries to create an exhibit in the community, OCL is offering a 90-minute webinar on designing and implementing a StoryWalk®. This webinar is open to all Pennsylvania Library staff and volunteers and will be presented by Elaine Czarnecki on March 29 at 2:00PM.
Register for the StoryWalk® Webinar here.
In this webinar, you will learn:
- The origins of the StoryWalk® concept and their successful implementation in library communities
- How to produce a StoryWalk® in a variety of ways and the costs associated with production
- How to choose the best books for a StoryWalk® and a preview of the four selections and prompts developed for Pennsylvania Libraries
- How to find StoryWalk® partners and suitable locations within your communities
- Best practices and family programming ideas centered around StoryWalks®
Elaine Czarnecki is a literacy consultant specializing in evaluation and early literacy and is the owner of Resources in Reading in Huntersville, North Carolina. Elaine has provided consulting, professional development, and evaluation services for a variety of initiatives across the country since first beginning her work with public libraries in 2001.
Continuing Education Certificates and ACT 48 Credits will be available for those attending the live session. A recording will be made available via the PA Library Staff Academy.
If you would like more information about StoryWalks® or the StoryWalk® webinar, please contact Heather Warren Smith at sheather@pa.gov.
Permanent StoryWalk® Project Recipients
Andrew Bayne Memorial Library
Berks County Public Libraries
Bucks County Free Library
Cambria Library Association
Eccles-Lesher Memorial Library
Gettysburg Library
Lewis Crozer Library
Lehighton Area Memorial Library
Muhlenberg Community Library
Myerstown Community Library
Quarryville Library Center
Tunkhannock Public Library
StoryWalk® Mini-Grant Recipients
Abington Community Library
Allentown Public Library
F. Jones Memorial Library
Boyertown Community Library
Centre County Federation of Public Libraries
Cheltenham Township Library System
Chester County Library
Columbia County Traveling Library Authority
Cranberry Public Library
Delaware County Library System
Eva K. Bowlby Public Library
Free Library of Philadelphia – Northeast Regional Library
Free Library of Philadelphia – Parkway Central Children’s Department
Free Library of Philadelphia-Wyoming Branch
Ford City Public Library
German-Masontown Public Library
Harbaugh-Thomas Library
Horsham Township Library
Indian Valley Public Library
Lansdale Library Association
Lower Macungie Library
New Oxford Area Library
Ringtown Area Library Association
Roslyn Library, branch of Abington Township Public Library
Somerset County Library
Southampton Free Library
Susquehanna Branch Library
The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury
Upper Darby Township and Sellers Memorial Free Public Library
Vandergrift Public Library Association
Warminster Township Free Library