For those who enjoy reading in the great outdoors, a new opportunity is on the horizon.
The Jefferson County Library (JCL) has received a $7,976 grant from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks through its Everyone Outdoors Grant Program to create a Story Walk installation in Herculaneum.
Aaliyah Kindt, JCL public engagement manager, said the new Story Walk will be around the Joachim Trail near Kade’s Playground, an inclusive playground. The story will begin at the trail entrance at the dog park, All Bark Village, and continue along the Joachim Loop, which is a little more than a mile long.
Kindt said a Story Walk can be a way for families to read as they walk the trail, promoting movement and literacy. She said JCL has three Story Walks including Arnold City Park, Mastodon State Park and Peace Pantry Park.
Kindt said the Joachim Trail Story Walk will look similar to the other JCL Story Walks and will include 18 aluminum posts, with each post displaying a page of the featured book. A plexiglass plate will cover the display to protect the pages.
Kindt said the children’s librarians from the JCL-Windsor branch will select the books for the walk on a quarterly basis, deconstructing the book and placing it in the displays.
Kindt said the project reflects the JCL’s goal of connecting community members with each other, local organizations and the outdoors.
“Libraries are about much more than books, and JCL aims to foster community betterment beyond library walls,” Kindt said. “The city of Herculaneum and JCL believe that families, and therefore communities, are stronger when rooted locally. The Story Walk project is not just a story display in a park. It’s an opportunity for residents to enjoy reading, walking and engaging with each other outdoors.”
Candace Siebert, Herculaneum Park superintendent, said the city is excited to partner with the JCL to bring a Story Walk to the park.
“It aligns well with our goal of encouraging families to stay active and engaged outdoors,” Siebert said. “We are looking forward to adding this literacy feature to Joachim Trail. It complements Kade’s Playground and further enhances William C. Haggard City Park as a space for families to connect, learn and enjoy the outdoors together.”
While Herculaneum falls in the Dunklin R-5 School District and is, therefore, outside of the JCL service area, JCL has enjoyed a great partnership with the city for many years, Kindt said.
“JCL was invited to host children’s story times at Kade’s Playground in the summer of 2025 and both parties have been discussing how to promote library service in the Herculaneum area,” Kindt said.
Siebert said the library will buy the posts and other materials for the Story Walk, and once the city receives the materials, it will coordinate site preparation and installation with the Public Works Department.
Siebert said city officials will have a better idea of an expected installation timeline once the materials are delivered.