By Shannon Richard, Toddler and Preschool Storytimes Coordinator, Lititz Public Library

Lititz Public Library has supported healthy living by providing StoryWalks® around the library property and a downtown holiday StoryWalk® in shop windows along Main Street Lititz from mid November, 2020 through early January, 2021.

A StoryWalk® combines two healthy activities, taking a walk and reading a book. It is a self-directed activity for people of all ages which encourages participants to read a children’s picture book in stages while walking along a short path. Participants are encouraged to complete a simple activity at each page such as hopping, running, skipping, and stretching. StoryWalks® promote literacy, physical activity, parental involvement, and ties to the community.

Hundreds of children and adults of all ages have participated in our StoryWalks®. Many families have shared positive feedback and have encouraged the library to continue to create more StoryWalks®. This was a wonderful activity for patrons to enjoy especially when library programming was limited due to the pandemic.