HUNTINGTON – There is now another reason to visit the Huntington Public Library every week, in addition to the summer reading program and the new books and other reading materials on the shelves. Every week, Susan LeBarron, family center coordinator of the Hilltown Family Center, will post a new story walk at the library for families to read and walk together.

Kim Savery, director of community programs at the Center, which is located at 9 Russell Road, said for them it’s all about family support. She said since the pandemic and social restrictions, there has been a pretty big emphasis put on story walks as an opportunity for families to go outside and do something together and increase literacy at the same time.

Savery said LeBarron has partnered with the Appalachian Mountain Club, and now has a total of 12 different rotating stories that she posts on signposts in outdoor spaces. The first book, “The Hike” by Alison Farrell, went up on the grounds the week of July 12, and a new one will go up this week. 

LeBarron makes all the storyboard signs herself, although recently the Family Center purchased real estate type metal frames to support her efforts.

The story walk at the Huntington Public Library also supports the summer camp at Pettis Field, where LeBarron runs an outdoor playgroup for kids ages 0 to 8 years of age once a week on Wednesdays. 

LeBarron has also created story walks in Russell, Middlefield, and Littleville Elementary, and she is planning something with Blandford and Chester. She also always has a story walk on a trail at Noble View, where they haven’t gone without a story walk since late winter. 

Savery said that most of the programs that normally take place at the Hilltown Family Center have been primarily remote since March 2020.  For some programs such as their work in domestic violence, they have been meeting with victims in person, as well as accompanying them to court. For other higher risk patients and community members, they have been donning personal protective equipment and social distancing while meeting in person.

Savery said right now, the center is starting to move more of the programs back to the office and in-person work. She said as a part of the Hilltown Community Health Centers, they have different rules than in the general public, and will still have to wear masks and social distance, which makes it a little complicated. “I think people are happy to see us again,” Savery said.