Wasilla Library unveils new StoryWalk

Members of the Friends of the Wasilla Library, the Wasilla City Council, the Mat-Su Health Foundation, the Wasilla Noon Rotary, and the Wasilla Library came out on Saturday to celebrate the new StoryWalk.

A StoryWalk is a fun, educational activity that places a children’s story, that is taken apart, and places the pages along a popular walking route, maybe in a park or other popular community areas. Wasilla Public Library took advantage of the sidewalk that circumvents the building.

“They can come and start right in front of the library and walk, and it’s a great way to share a book and exercise with their family, and share the love of reading,” says Jeanne Troshynski, President of the Friends of Wasilla Library.

The project was the brainchild of the Youth Services Library Director Sara Saxton, who had originally bought a StoryWalk from Anchorage, but the material that comprised the StoryWalk was just not quite right for the weather. After speaking with Troshynski, and brainstorming, they reached out to the Mat-Su Health Foundation for some grant money and the State of Alaska Library, Archives, and Museum and received the ‘State of Alaska institute of Museum and Library Services American Rescue Plan Act’ grant.

The Wasilla Noon Rotary was instrumental in the installation of the StoryWalk. Troshynski says that the City of Wasilla, Mayor Glenda Ledford and her staff, along with Lynn Follet, the Director or Maintenance and Building and Parks all of whom were very helpful in ensuring the project was completed.

“It’s just a great community connection. It’s really fun to see people out here with their kids, walking and reading, and we hope that really inspires more people to get out and walk and read,” Troshynski said.

The StoryWalk has 20 stands, that weigh 550 pounds each, and can be easily enjoyed in under 10 minutes. Families can also enjoy the covered picnic area in the back and the seating area and amphitheater near the building.

“That’s a fun thing too, every way people can see all of the different parts of the library,” adds Troshynski.

The book currently featured in the StoryWalk is “The Littlest Airplane,” by Wasilla children’s author Brooke Hartman, a rhyming picture book about how sometimes it’s not the biggest, strongest, or the fastest, but the littlest who can get the job done.

Troshynski says that they are hoping for a picture book for next year, and the Friends of Wasilla has posted a quick survey form people can fill out naming their favorite picture book to share with others, and once the information is collected, have “Wasilla’s Favorite Picture Book” as part of the StoryWalk next year.

For more information about the Wasilla Public Library, visit www.cityofwasilla.gov/services/departments/library

For more information about Friends of Wasilla Library, visit their website at wasillafriends.org or their Facebook page.