How to Get a StoryWalk© for Your Library, Nature Center, or Community Organization

Are you looking to inspire outdoor learning, literacy, and community engagement? A StoryWalk© is a perfect way to combine reading and movement in a natural or public setting. Whether you represent a public library, nature center, botanical garden, museum, or community organization, this guide will walk you through how to plan, fund, and implement a successful StoryWalk© in your community.

What is a StoryWalk©?

A StoryWalk© is an outdoor reading experience where the pages of a children's picture book are displayed—usually laminated and mounted—along a path, trail, or garden. As visitors walk from page to page, they read the story in sequence. It’s a fun, interactive way to promote early literacy, physical activity, and family engagement in an outdoor setting.

Created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont in partnership with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, the StoryWalk© project has been implemented in all 50 U.S. states and internationally.

StoryWalk© is a registered trademark of Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and was developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

How to Get a StoryWalk©: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Identify Your Goals and Audience

Before you begin, define the purpose of your StoryWalk©. Are you aiming to:

• Promote early literacy in underserved communities?

• Enhance outdoor education in a botanical garden?

• Encourage family fitness and reading in a park setting?

Knowing your audience (families, young children, caregivers, educators) will help guide your decisions about book selection, signage, and location.

2. Choose a Location

Ideal locations for a StoryWalk© include:

• Library walking trails

• Botanical gardens

• Nature center paths

• Public parks

• Sidewalks in downtown or campus areas

Ensure the area is safe, accessible, and receives foot traffic. Work with local parks and recreation departments, school districts, or landowners for permissions if needed.

3. Select a Book

Choose a children’s picture book that:

• Is appropriate for outdoor reading

• Has strong visuals and simple text

• Can be broken into 15–20 pages (consider layout carefully, the number of pages will let you know how many StoryWalk© Signs and Panels to purchase)

Books that celebrate nature, seasons, animals, or social-emotional learning are popular StoryWalk© choices.

Note: You'll need permission from the publisher to reproduce and display the book’s pages.

4. Prepare the Materials

You’ll need:

• Large Pages of the Book. (Our Read and Walk Panels are Waterproof so no lamination is required, however, if you get a different StoryWalk© sign, you will need to laminate the pages at an extra cost)

• Mounting posts or signs (metal, wooden, or weather-resistant frames)

• Optional: QR codes, interactive prompts, or bilingual translations

Some vendors offer pre-made StoryWalk© panels or customizable backer panels for StoryWalk© signs, but you can also build your own with support from local maintenance staff or volunteers.

5. Fund Your StoryWalk©: Grants and Sponsorships

For many libraries and nonprofit organizations, funding is a key consideration. Fortunately, there are numerous grants and funding opportunities that can help cover the cost of materials, installation, and even staffing.

Potential Funding Sources for StoryWalks©:

📚 Library Grants

• American Library Association (ALA) Grants

  • Programs like Libraries Transforming Communities or Great Stories Club may offer funding for literacy-based initiatives.

• State Library Associations

  • Many offer mini-grants for community engagement or early literacy projects.

🌱 Environmental & Outdoor Education Grants

• National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)

  • Supports outdoor learning and environmental literacy.

• Project Learning Tree GreenWorks! Grants

  • Fund environmental service-learning projects, which may include StoryWalks© in nature centers or gardens.

🏞 Community and Foundation Grants

• Local community foundations

• Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis, or Lions Clubs

• Friends of the Library groups

• United Way chapters

💡 Other Funding Ideas

• Seek corporate sponsorships from local businesses

• Use library programming budgets or early literacy funding

• Partner with local schools or preschools to share costs

• Launch a community fundraiser or donation campaign

Tip: Many funders love that StoryWalks© check multiple boxes—literacy, physical wellness, accessibility, and community engagement.

6. Build Partnerships

Collaboration can make your StoryWalk© more impactful and affordable. Consider partnering with:

• Local artists or sign-makers

• Parks and recreation departments

• Health departments (especially those focused on family wellness)

• Early childhood education coalitions

• Environmental organizations

7. Promote Your StoryWalk©

Once your StoryWalk© is installed:

• Host a launch event or ribbon cutting

• Promote it on social media, local news, and community calendars

• Offer guided StoryWalks© or pair it with storytime programs

• Track attendance or feedback to show impact (helpful for future grant reporting!)

Bringing a StoryWalk© to your library, nature center, or public space is a powerful way to promote literacy, outdoor engagement, and community connection. With thoughtful planning, strategic partnerships, and a little funding support, you can create an experience that families will remember—and return to—again and again.

Whether it's nestled in a garden, winding through a trail, or set up downtown, a StoryWalk© invites everyone to read, move, and explore.