The Soldotna Public Library will use a $2,200 donation from the Soldotna Library Friends to bolster reading programs, pending approval by the Soldotna City Council during its July 28 meeting. That’s according to legislation the council will consider during that meeting, which would approve the donation.

In a July 20 memo to the council, City Librarian Rachel Nash said the library plans to use $800 of the donation for its “One Thousand Books Before Kindergarten” and summer reading programs.

The “One Thousand Books Before Kindergarten” program is an international effort for people to read 1,000 books to their newborn, infant or toddler before they start kindergarten. The 1000 Books Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates around the United States and in Canada.

“Library staff are very grateful for the hard work and support of the Soldotna Library Friends, and for the contributions of our community donors,” Nash wrote.

The library most recently used a $2,500 donation from the Soldotna Library Friends to launch a StoryWalk at Soldotna Creek Park last month. The installation allows people to read a book while walking along a trail in the park — one page a time. Posts spaced out along the trail each display a different page.

The concept of StoryWalks came from Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, who developed the concept in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library. Because of copyright laws, libraries who implement such programs must display the actual dismembered pages of the book, as opposed to making photocopies.

More information about the Soldotna Public Library can be found at soldotna.org/departments/library or on the library’s Facebook page.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.