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About

What is a StoryWalk®?

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StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children — and adults! — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children's book are inserted into a covered display marker, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story.

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StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT

and has developed with the help of Rachel Senechal,

Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

The Benefits of StoryWalk®

StoryWalk® provides early literacy opportunities to young children. Sharing the reading of a StoryWalk book stimulates and fosters the development of strong listening and speaking skills. StoryWalk also helps to build a child’s vocabulary which is important to thinking and learning. Developing early literacy skills leads to better preparation for school.

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StoryWalk® provides a teaching moment for a child’s first teacher – their family. Children and their families can read the book together then discuss the text, illustrations and meaning of a great book. Many StoryWalk books have a theme: kindness, anyone can make a difference in someone’s life, a love for nature, accepting differences, and more.

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StoryWalk® provides a wonderful avenue for outreach and collaboration. StoryWalk is a tool to bring the library out to the community with the goal of increasing visibility of the library. Some people may experience StoryWalk at a school or park and never walk into the library. StoryWalk may be the gateway for people to come to the library.

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This StoryWalk® was funded partially by a grant through the Ottawa County Park District and by the Georgiana Huizenga Memorial Fund.

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Georgiana Huizenga was the former Director of the Harris-Elmore Public & Genoa Branch Libraries (1990-2011) and dreamed for both communities to one day have a StoryWalk® for children to learn during play.

Sponsor

Sponsor a Story

For a donation of $50, patrons can sponsor the StoryWalk® for a month! The patron can choose the story of the month from a provided list, or may suggest a title for the library* . Sponsors will have a dedication placed on the first display along with the book cover. Accepted payments will include cash or check. Sponsors must pay 2-3 months before their month arrives.

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Contact Harris-Elmore Public Library at 419-862-2482 or Genoa Branch Library at 419-855-3380 for more information.

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Community members, businesses, or organizations wishing to make a donation towards StoryWalk® may send a check to the Harris-Elmore Public Library (P.O. Box 45  Elmore, OH 43416). Checks should be made out to “Harris-Elmore Public Library.”

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*Book must be approved first by the library; Content must be family-friendly and have a maximum of 28 pages in length

Each $50 donation buys two copies of the book: one for the StoryWalk® and one for patrons to borrow at the library

Genoa

Genoa StoryWalk®

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This Month's Book:

As an Oak Tree Grows

by

G. Brian Karas

Contact Info

Harris-Elmore Public Library

328 Toledo St. P.O. Box 45

Elmore, OH 43416

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Phone:  (419) 862-2482

Fax:  (419) 862-2123

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Genoa Branch Library

602 West St.

Genoa, OH 43430

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Phone:  (419) 855-3380

Fax:  (419) 855-7012

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Library Hours

Monday - Thursday: 9:30am - 7pm

Friday: 9:30am - 5pm

Saturday: 9:30am - 3pm

Sunday: CLOSED

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