WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg Regional Library will debut a new program April 11 that lets attendees enjoy reading and the outdoors.
Natural Readers will be similar to a traditional book group format, with everyone reading one book per month and then attending a meeting to discuss it. The difference is that for the first couple of minutes of the meeting, the group will meet in Freedom Park Interpretive Center for a brief discussion before setting out as a group to walk a loop on one of the park’s trails while continuing to discuss the book.
Allison Norfolk, Adult Services Librarian, was inspired to start the program after receiving information sent by the Library of Virginia and noting another library in the state was doing a “walking book club.” After some research and considering all of the parks and trails in the area, she decided it was a program worth trying. Once the format was figured out, she approached Andrew Smith, who is in charge of most of the book groups at WRL, for his feedback.
Norfolk and Smith decided to move forward, approached the staff at James City County Parks & Recreation and booked space at the interpretive center.
The first meeting will be on Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m. and the group will continue to meet the second Friday every month through October of this year. When the weather isn’t good, the group will still meet and remain indoors in the meeting room. The first book will be “Beautiful Swimmers” by William W. Warner. Copies of the book are available at the library.
Norfolk stressed attendees should wear clothing that is appropriate to the weather as well as walking shoes. While part of the trail is paved, parts are not, though it isn’t described as a difficult or steep trail. The estimated walking time for the trail is about 20 to 30 minutes.
There is no registration for the event. For more information about the library and its programming, visit the official website.
