WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming County Library System recently announced that it has received a $11,023.92 grant from the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania’s Williamsport Lycoming Competitive Grant Cycle.
The grant will fund the installation of a book walk in Trout Run Park, 10294 Lycoming Creek Road, aimed at promoting family reading, community engagement, and outdoor recreation. A book walk is an innovative literacy initiative that displays an illustrated children’s book page-by-page along a walking path.
This will be the first book walk in rural Lycoming County. The James V. Brown Library is also set to install a book walk in Young’s Woods Park in Williamsport, marking a significant advancement in literacy initiatives for the region.
Lewis Township Supervisor Stephen L. Sechrist expressed his support: “The addition of a book walk will greatly enhance the recreational offerings at the park, which already features a pavilion, creek access, playground, and open fields. It will encourage physical activity while promoting literacy and connect visitors with the outdoors in a unique way.”
Trout Run Park is over 16 miles from the nearest brick-and-mortar library, making access a challenge for many Lewis Township residents due to work, family obligations, or transportation limitations. The book walk will offer a library experience right in their local park.
The Lycoming County Library System currently provides outreach services to Trout Run Volunteer Fire Company and the Trout Run Park through its weekly visits by the Bookmobile and Book’s Bus mobile libraries.
“This project will provide opportunities for community involvement, such as volunteer participation in the installation process, organizing book walk events, or collaborating with local schools and nearby organizations such as Camp Susque,” said System Administrator Amy C. Resh of the Lycoming County Library System. “This project will ensure that there is a free opportunity for reading and learning outside of the six LCLS libraries’ business hours, available in any season, at no cost to local families.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is anticipated for spring 2025, with details to be announced once the book walk is installed.
The First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP) works to improve the quality of life in north central Pennsylvania through community leadership, the promotion of philanthropy, the strengthening of nonprofit impact and the perpetual stewardship of charitable assets. Its vision is to create powerful communities through passionate giving.®
The Lycoming County Library System is committed to a vision of a vital and literate community. Established in 1983, the Lycoming County Library System comprises the six public libraries in Lycoming County: Hughesville Area Public Library, Jersey Shore Public Library, James V. Brown Library (Williamsport), Dr. W.B. Konkle Memorial Library (Montoursville), Montgomery Area Public Library, and Muncy Public Library. Each library is independently governed and operated by a local Board of Directors. For more information, visit https://lclspa.org/.