Council lends support to library's StoryWalk concept

After being cut short at last month’s regular meeting due to time, Library Director Jill Mackey spoke again to the Sundance City Council on Tuesday about a project to install a StoryWalk® along the nature trail for local kids to enjoy. Her proposal was met with enthusiasm and approval from the council.

“What we’d like to do is install a StoryWalk here in Sundance,” she said. “StoryWalks are a way for children and families to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time.”

The current situation has made the idea seem particularly attractive, she continued.

“It’s an idea we’ve been floating for a couple of years now,” said Mackey. “But with the COVID-19, it seems to be really at the forefront because it’s something for families to do together outside. Going into this next year, nobody knows what’s going to be going on.”

To create a Story Walk, Mackey explained, you literally take apart the pages of a children’s book and laminate each one. Each one is placed in a weather-protected frame and mounted on a post.

According to the library’s plan, the posts would then be installed along the nature trail from Clarenbach Park to the old elementary school.

The Story Walk would be permanent, but Mackey said the library would like to create a second, more portable walk that could be used in the other county communities or during an event at, for example, the fairgrounds.

“As you stroll down the trail, you’re directed to the next page in the story and there’s usually an activity that goes along with it,” Mackey said.

“We’ll switch out the stories periodically, maybe every quarter.”

Mackey also mentioned that an idea had been brought to the library to work with the school and, for one quarter of the year, feature artwork by local kids in the frames, perhaps with a QR code through which to access information about the artist.

Mackey explained that the library is looking for grants and will also be fundraising to purchase the posts, picture books and lamination. In return, she asked if the city would be willing to install the Story Walk and for a letter of support to submit with grant applications.

Public Works Director Mac Erickson, to an enthusiastic response from the council, suggested that industrial arts students might be interested in assisting with the hardware for the project. Council members also approved of the overall idea and passed a motion accordingly.