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Hartington storywalk is popular with young and old alike
HARTINGTON — A simple stroll through the park can double as story time here.
For the past eight years, the Hartington Public Library's Story Walk has continued to inspire readers and walkers alike to get outside and get transported to new worlds.
“We have such a great park to put it in,” said youth service librarian Kim Emanuel. “It is set up just wonderfully, it draws the kids in and is a path well-traveled by many.”
Library Director Tami Anderson filed for and received an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant, allowing her to update the Story Walk in 2020. Originally made of wood, the 17 stands needed attention. The grant was used to make them more durable and permanent.
There couldn’t have been better timing for the upgrade, as businesses and people were forced to distance and often stay indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was a great response, with Covid,” said Anderson. “Spreading out, being outside, we wanted to bring the library outside.”
The current featured story is Freckleface Strawberry, written by Julianne Moore. The librarians said there is no specific process for picking a story, but there is a criterion they like to follow.
“We just want it to be exciting so kids don’t lose their interest,” said Anderson.
Keeping kids’ attention in a park setting can be a challenge, so picking a quality book to display can mean all the difference.
“It has to be exciting, with big, eye-catching illustrations,” said Emanuel. “Something that keeps them excited to go to the next and the next.”
The Story Walk is intended to entertain all ages.
“We want to entice young and old,” said Anderson. “The stories have a wide range.”
The stories get switched and changed around four times in the summer and have been subject to library-held events. Special days have included a Halloween-themed walk-through and an extension of the boards in downtown store windows.
“We invited the schools to come down, and I think we had around 400 kids show up,” said Anderson. “It creates a lot of excitement for reading and for books.”
The Story Walk concept was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vt., and was developed with the help of Rachel Senechal with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in 2007. The Story-Walk organization is now owned by Ferguson.
Anderson said libraries can register to receive recommended books through the organization, but they have opted to use their books. The librarians said they laminate all the books on display themselves, then order a replacement book for the library.
“I haven’t got one negative,” said Emanuel. “A lot of grandparents are glad they are available for visiting grandkids. I have only heard good things, besides the occasional dirty boards.”
The librarians said they don’t have any planned events just yet, but welcome any ideas.
“We just encourage kids, grandparents, parents, to come out and take advantage of our stories in the park,” said Anderson.
