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By RACHEL RAIFORD | Staff Writer 

ALABASTER – The Albert L. Scott Library hosts service projects and events  frequently to stay involved with the community of Alabaster. Taking it a step further, they’ve directly integrated library resources into Alabaster City Schools. 

In conjunction with the Alabaster City Schools Board of Education, the library installed story walks at Meadow View and Creek View Elementary. Story walks are panels put in the ground containing pages from a children’s book. As children walk the path, they are able to read a story or literary prompts. 

Library Director Kim Roberts explained how they plan on partnering with the schools to implement a new project. 

“While it will be at the schools, it’s going to be the library’s project,” Roberts said. “We’ll change it every month to keep it current, with a relative dynamic.” 

With the help of Alabaster Parks and Rec. the story walks were installed ahead of the school year. Each story board will be taken care of through the library and the Parks and Rec. department. 

While there’s a story walk at each school, the same title will be used on each path. Roberts said that the goal is to rotate titles frequently. 

“We’re going to be replacing them every month,” Roberts said. “We’re actually getting ready to roll into our second month in a couple of weeks.”

Roberts explained how choosing stories for each rotation was a collaborative effort with the schools. 

“We spoke with both principals and the media specialists at both schools to tie in what they’re doing in class,” Roberts said. “We took their ideas and kind of ran with it.” 

With the monthly rotation, each story will go along with the themes of what students are learning in class and current events. 

The walks are interactive. Each panel has pages from the story as well as critical thinking prompts to dig deeper into the title. 

Roberts said that the feedback has been amazing and parents and teachers can’t wait to see what title will be next. 

“We’ve heard some very good things, and people are excited to see what the next title is going to be,” Roberts said. “So, it’s just another way to bring the whole community back to together.” 

The story walks can be viewed by the community outside of Meadow View and Creek View Elementary School. Those interested in learning more about this project may visit Cityofalabaster.com or contact Library Director Kim Roberts.