New Storywalk at McMahon Nature Trail
The Lewiston Public Library, in partnership with Lewiston Public Schools recently placed 20 permanent Storywalk panels on the McMahon Nature Trail behind McMahon Elementary School. The McMahon Nature Trail at 151 N. Temple Street in Lewiston is accessible to the public off N. Temple Street and from behind the school when it is closed. This project was made possible through a CARES Act grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
A Storywalk is a series of stationary sign posts that feature pages of a picture book that allow readers to interact with the story as they walk. Storywalks encourage family literacy alongside physical activity. Currently, the featured children’s book is Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall.
In June 2020, the Lewiston Public Library received a $121,846 CARES Act grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support library programming and community outreach during the COVID pandemic. Lewiston Public Library’s Children’s Librarian, Sara Turner notes “The NEH grant allowed us to partner with the public schools in a way we have never done before. We were able to extend our reach in the community by mailing library information and services to every student in the public school system. The Storywalk is a fun educational activity that combines the pleasure of reading fantastic children’s books with the joy of walking together outside.” Lewiston Public Schools Elementary Librarian, MaryAnn Lopes states, “During our conversations about how to use the grant, Sara told me to dream big and I did. Thanks to the NEH Grant that dream came true to serve our schools and community.”
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is an independent federal agency created in 1965. It is one of the largest funders of humanities programs in the United States. The NEH promotes excellence in the humanities and conveys the lessons of history. The endowment accomplishes this mission by awarding grants for top-rated proposals examined by panels of independent, external reviewers. In 2020, the NEH invited applications from organizations seeking support for projects impacted by the coronavirus. The Lewiston Public Library was among the 14% of applicants to be awarded grants.
What is next for the Storywalk? April is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Awareness Month. In partnership with the Androscoggin Prevention Council at Community Concepts, the Lewiston Public Library and Lewiston Public Schools are pleased to announce a new feature book: Say Something by Peter Reynolds for the month of April. This project will bring the community together to enjoy warmer days and spread awareness of how we can all support the children in our community.
The McMahon Nature Trail is located at 151 N. Temple Street behind McMahon Elementary School. The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street. For information on the McMahon Nature Trail Storywalk please contact the Lewiston Public Library at 513-3133 or LPLKids@lewistonmaine.gov. For information about parenting support or classes, please contact Cassandra Wallace with Community Concepts at cwallace@community-concepts.org or 713-9759.
