Joplin Public Library is excited to announce the installation of a permanent StoryWalk® in their outdoor classroom.  This project offers an outdoor literacy experience for Joplin area children and families and was made possible thanks to a generous donation from Logan, Emily, Reid, and Marianne Stanley.  The ribbon cutting took place November 13.

The StoryWalk® concept was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and was developed with the help of Rachel Senechal, Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Through their collective efforts, a StoryWalk® has been installed in all 50 states and 12 foreign countries. Typically, large, colorful pages from a children’s book are installed along a path. As you stroll (or run or skip or hop) along the path, you are directed to the next page in the story. 

Reading a StoryWalk® combines literacy with physical activity and gives children the opportunity to learn new words, describe things and events, enjoy and tell stories, and truly experience reading in a new and different way.

“We have done temporary StoryWalk® projects for years and have been happy to see them encourage families to be outdoors and be a positive step towards lifetime learning, “said Children’s Librarian Christina Matekel-Gibson. “This permanent StoryWalk® will make it possible to accomplish these goals on a broader basis and is a great addition to our outdoor classroom.” 

In addition to recognizing the generous donation from the Stanley family, the Library thanks the City of Joplin Parks and Recreation staff for installing the twenty aluminum posts for the project.