Reading a storybook is about to get more active! On Friday, September 16, park goers will have a whole new experience to enjoy in West View Park, 2950 Keith Ave. Knox County Public Library is set to cut the ribbon on its inaugural Storybook Trail at 1 p.m.
Doing the honors are Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs along with Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon. They will be joined by students from nearby West View Elementary School to celebrate the first of several Storybook Trails to be installed throughout the county. This first trail will feature My Voice Is a Trumpet by Jimmie Allen.
The trails also feature prompts to encourage physical activity between panels.
Additional trail locations will be installed and announced this fall.
The library plans to rotate the storybooks between parks after several months so new books will be on display throughout the year.
“These Storybook Trails are a great way to shine a light on two of the most important priorities of my administration – literacy and health,” said Mayor Jacobs. “I’m excited Knox County will have a such a unique way for people to access books in an outdoor setting.”
This Storybook Trail opens as the community sets sail on the final reading challenge (Sept.1 to Dec. 15) in Mayor Jacobs’ one million-hour ReadCityUSA voyage: Oceans of Possibilities. The quest is to read for 45 hours (about 20 minutes a day) and discover priceless museums, historic sites and other cultural riches in our own backyard.
Sailing Home Treasure Maps are available at any library location to keep track of reading progress and help make ours the best-read community!
The Storybook Trails are made possible by: Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation, Friends of the Knox County Public Library, Knoxville City Council members Andrew Roberto, Charles Thomas, Lynne Fugate, Janet Testerman and Amelia Parker, Walmart Store #1318, Clinton Highway, and Sam’s Club #8256, Walbrook Drive.
Mary Pom Claiborne is assistant director for marketing, communications and development for Knox County Public Library