WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., is excited to announce that it has received a $12,445 grant from the Williamsport Lycoming Competitive Grant Cycle through the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania.
The grant will fund the installation of a bilingual book walk in Young’s Woods Park, 1001 George Street, 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. It is anticipated that the books will be rotated seasonally.
This will mark the first permanently installed bilingual book walk in Williamsport. Additionally, the Lycoming County Library System has secured a grant for a book walk in Trout Run Park, making these two projects the first of their kind in Lycoming County.
The City of Williamsport is actively supporting this initiative by enhancing Young’s Woods Park to ensure it is more accessible and inclusive. This effort is part of an existing partnership with the Lycoming County Special Olympics and the AllOne Foundation.
Valerie Fessler, Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Williamsport, shared her enthusiasm: “This is a fantastic partnership. This area is home to many families who may not yet be connected to our library’s incredible services. The bilingual book walk will provide a wonderful opportunity for engagement in this low- to moderate-income neighborhood.”
“This bilingual book walk is more than just a celebration of language; it’s a bridge that connects our diverse community. Each page invites exploration, ignites imagination, and fosters understanding, proving that stories truly unite us all,” said Amy C. Resh, CEO & Director of the James V. Brown Library. “This initiative not only promotes literacy but also strengthens our community by celebrating our rich cultural diversity. Every step taken here is a step toward connection and understanding.”
This project will ensure that there is a free opportunity for reading and learning outside of the Library’s business hours, available in any season, at no cost to local families, Resh continued. She added that a spring 2025 ribbon-cutting ceremony is anticipated and will be announced once the book walk is installed.
The James V. Brown Library is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. To place a hold, visit www.jvbrown.edu or call 570-326-0536 during the library’s operating hours. Walk-in passport services are available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
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 James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., Williamsport, Pa., is the place to go to learn, connect and grow. Founded in June 1907, the library champions the love of reading, opens new doors to lifelong learning, provides a haven to those who seek and ensures the preservation of public library services for future generations. The library has more than 225,000 visitors in a year and circulates a half-million items annually. A member of the Lycoming County Library System, the James V. Brown Library participates in PA Forward, a statewide initiative to promote literacies in our communities to power a better future for everyone.
