Read a Book as You Stroll Along Our StoryWalks This Summer
June 29, 2021 — Kids and families can read as they stroll the sidewalk at The Fairbanks community center this summer, thanks to a grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
The $2,700 grant is funding the production and placement of four Library StoryWalks® outside The Fairbanks, 1126 N. Broadway Ave. The local grant is part of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s award of $10.5 million donation to support summer, family and adult literacy programs.
StoryWalks® is a popular, ongoing program provided by the Library. Pages of a picture book are displayed on signs along a path so that families can read the book, page by page, as they walk. StoryWalks® have been installed at Springfield and Greene County parks and schools.
These books will be featured in four StoryWalks® at The Fairbanks:
- “It's A Tiger” by David LaRochelle, June 23-July 8
- “Our Little Kitchen” by Jillian Tamaki, July 9-July 22
- “Little Red Fort” by Brenda Maier and Sonia Anchez, July 22 – Aug. 5
- “Stomp” by Uncle Ian Aurora, Aug. 6-Aug. 20
This series of walks will include tips for activities and encouraging literacy related to each book.
“StoryWalk® is an innovative program that combines the benefits of physical activity, reading, literacy enhancement, family time and time outdoors in nature, making this a perfect activity to inspire a love of reading while keeping families safe during the pandemic,” said Gay Wilson, the Library’s planning and development librarian.
Since 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $197 million in grants, helping more than 14 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. Cal Turner Jr. started the foundation to honor his grandfather and Dollar General’s co-founder, J.L. Turner, who was functionally illiterate, having dropped out of school in the third grade to support his family.