
November 10, 2020
Update July 8, 2021: StoryWalks® will be at the Blue Springs North Branch (850 NW Hunter Drive, Blue Springs) and the Platte City Branch (2702 N.W. Prairie View Road, Platte City) through August 1, 2021.
Mid-Continent Public Library has installed StoryWalks® at its East Lee’s Summit Branch (2240 SE Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit, Mo.) and Woodneath Library Center (8900 NE Flintlock Road, Kansas City, Mo.). Made up of 15 yard-sized panels that look like book pages, the installations allow families to read a story as they take a walk outside. Both StoryWalks® feature the Library’s signature book, Grow a Reader: An Interplanetary Tale, written by Bridget Heos and illustrated by Dan Regan.
“These installations provide families a fun, unique opportunity to spend some time together, practice early literacy skills, and enjoy nature,” said Ritchie Momon, MCPL Chief Customer Experience Officer. “We welcome everyone to stop by and explore them.”
The StoryWalks®, which are free and open to the public (no reservation required), will remain up through the end of the year and may rotate to other MCPL branches at a later time. The StoryWalk® at the East Lee’s Summit Branch is located on the northwest side of the building along the sidewalk, and at the Woodneath Library Center, the walk is located along the trail north of the building, near the Shoal Creek Elementary School. Customers are encouraged to wear face masks and asked to maintain social distancing while walking through the story.
Grow a Reader was published in 2015 by MCPL’s in-house publishing division, Woodneath Press. The book, which tells the story of MCPL mascot Marty the Martian who visits the Mid-Continent Public Library–Space Branch, was developed simultaneously with the launch of the Library’s early literacy initiative of the same name. More information about the Grow A Reader program can be found at mymcpl.org/Kids.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, VT. The StoryWalk® concept has been used all 50 states and at least 12 other countries.
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Story walks outside
Why are story books outside til the end of the year? That's next month?
From Debra Wright (not verified)
Thu, 11/12/2020 - 04:05am
Story Walk
The StoryWalks will return in the spring when the weather is nicer and will rotate to various MCPL branches so more customers have the opportunity to enjoy.
From Tommy Hardin
Thu, 11/12/2020 - 01:33pm
I know that this is a hard…
I know that this is a hard time for the library to be reaching their communities and that you have been having to reimagine how you do things like programming. I think it's unfortunate, though, for the communities you serve who have poor access to internet--those in the small towns you serve--that when you reimagined something that wasn't just "digital programs!" you placed it in two locations where residents generally have better access to reliable internet services. Do you plan on letting this "travel" to branches in small communities where many residents don't have access to internet or transportation?
From Anonymous (not verified)
Sat, 11/14/2020 - 11:16am
Story Walks
What a great idea! MCPL always features such a wide variety of compelling programming.
From Marilyn McPhie (not verified)
Sat, 11/14/2020 - 09:47pm
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