If you’re looking for a fun, creative way to get your Library out into the community, you might try a Storywalk. Developed by the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition to promote outdoor activity for kids, a Storywalk is a combination of an engaging story, a scavenger hunt, and a walk around town. The basic design requires a book that can be taken apart, with pages laminated and placed on stakes along a pre-arranged walking path, but think of even wider possibilities:

• Partner with some local businesses who could “sponsor” a page to help defray costs or encourage participation during another event.
• Create a walk for teens or adults involving QR coded clues or other instructions.
• Design “mini-games” to supplement the walk along the way, incorporating activities involving city parks, wildlife trails, or other interesting landmarks in town.
• Instead of a story for older participants, create a walk involving local history, using items from your historical photo or document collections.
• Have volunteers dress up as characters along the route, offering information or help along the way.

Make sure you end the Storywalk at your library (with treats and/or prizes) to encourage walkers to check out related materials or to participate in another activity, like a craft, that reinforces the theme of the walk. For more information, check out the FAQ page for the Storywalk project.

This is a low cost, low tech way to promote the Library, encourage community involvement, and get people moving. There are many different ways to tailor such an event to your own community – share your ideas in the comments section!