Community StoryWalk | The Library Toolshed

Description

A StoryWalk involves purchasing a children's book, taking the pages apart and laminating them and posting the pages along a pre-set walking path (in this case, in business windows around town.) Participants are then given a map to follow along with the story. The Story was left up for two months so that participants could do it on their own time.

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Their FAQs are attached.

Source Library

MacKenzie Public Library

Program photos

StoryWalk 2015 Map.jpg

Program promotional materials

StoryWalk_FAQs.pdf

Frequency

Annually

Audience

Primary Audience

Multi-generational

Resources

Community partners

Leisure Services, various local businesses and organizations

Funding (grants/foundations/corporations)

Northern Health Imagine Grant

Budget for this program

$400

Resources required (materials/supplies; food/refreshments, etc.)

1) At least 3 copies of the book. Two for the original posting (since there are double-sided pages) and one or more for replacement pages.
2) Laminating sheets, identifying and numbering stickers, etc. for the pages.
3) Comment book to be kept at the end of the StoryWalk (either in the library or outside in a weather and theft-resistant case.)

Evaluation

Copies of program publicity (newspaper articles, letters of appreciation, participant feedback, etc.)

IMG_0754.JPG

Feedback from Participants

“The StoryWalk was pretty interesting. I can relate to how Marcel felt when he started flying and thought he couldn’t do it, because when I started walking this route, I thought I couldn’t do it either, but I did… and so did Marcel!” – Owen, youth [Marcel is the main character in the story we used.]

“I really enjoyed the StoryWalk and the story of the swans. Thanks – very well done.” – Carol, senior

“We really enjoyed the StoryWalk. Let’s do another one real soon.” – Jacob, Caleb, & Elsie, family with small children

“I wanted to let you know that we really enjoyed the Story Walk. I think it would be great if you could do a few different stories throughout the summer (its hard to do in the winter I realize). Great exercise too!!!” – Meg, adult

Highlights - what worked well?

Partnering with local businesses to display the pages in their windows. We also placed some at prominent local landmarks.
Including basic information about the StoryWalk with each page (i.e. the start point, maps are available etc.)
Leaving extra maps at the start point as well as in the library.
The book we chose (Whistling Wings by Laura Goering) came out to 14 pages - a good amount for our 3.5km route.

What were the goals/objectives of your program?

1) Encourage families to:
a) Engage in healthy outdoor exercise
b) Spend quality time together
c) Discover all that their community has to offer

2) Foster a love of reading for all ages

3) Raise awareness of the library

What would you change about this program?

We originally posted the Story outside around a walking path, but it was vandalized repeatedly. We took it down and rethought it with businesses included.

The comment book was kept in the Library (at the last stop) and received few comments. Next year, we'll attempt to find a place that's more obvious and more accessible at all times.

Make sure all signs are accessible all days of the week, even when the hosting business is closed (i.e. on on outside-facing window.)

Check the pages regularly and have replacements on hand.