Permanent StoryWalk Brings Year-Round Outdoor Reading to Lander Families

In Lander, families love the annual StoryWalk the library puts out each summer, but the story is typically only available and in good condition for about a month before the weather takes its toll. For the past three summers, the library has created temporary displays using laminated pages attached to stakes stuck in the ground like yard signs, but rain, wind, and sun quickly damage them despite enthusiastic community response. When the lead children’s librarian saw how much families enjoyed walking past with their kids in the evenings and had parents asking to check out featured books because their children loved the stories, she reached out to LOR with a plan to make this popular program permanent. Working with the library’s custodian, she identified weatherproof display structures that can withstand Wyoming conditions year-round while allowing stories to be changed as often as needed. The centrally located library sees many walkers passing by, and a permanent StoryWalk will create a free outdoor activity that combines exercise with education—accessible any time, not tied to library hours or summer season. LOR’s funding will help purchase 20 weatherproof sign displays with posts, metal brackets for concrete installation, and concrete, creating a lasting feature that can serve Lander families throughout the year.