Books have a way of showing up in unexpected places at 577. You might find a story waiting along a garden path, hear one shared beneath the trees, discover a new favorite in the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop, or settle into a comfortable chair in Virginia’s House with a book you’ve been meaning to read.
Reading at 577 isn’t limited to one program, one place, or one age. Throughout the gardens and grounds, stories offer another way to learn, explore, slow down, and connect with one another.
Take a StoryWalk® Through the Gardens
One of the most unique ways to enjoy a book at 577 is along the StoryWalk® trail, where pages of a story are displayed on 20 signs throughout the gardens and grounds.
This August, Flowers Are Calling by Rita Gray, illustrated by Kenard Pak, invites readers to explore the connections between flowers and the pollinators that depend on them. As you follow the story, take a closer look at the gardens around you. You might spot bees, butterflies, and other insects visiting the flowers and see some of the connections from the book happening right here at 577.
StoryWalk® is available year-round during regular grounds hours, with new stories featured throughout the year. There is no cost to participate, and no registration is required.
The StoryWalk® at 577 was made possible through the generous support of the Black Swamp Conservancy, the estate of Mary Anne Tigges, and the Perrysburg Rotary Foundation and Rotarian volunteers, who funded and helped install the original trail and signage. In 2024, 577 received a grant from the Walleye Wishing Well Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation to support the purchase of new books, updated signage, and continued care of this beloved program, helping ensure it remains fresh, engaging, and well-maintained for years to come.
Gather for Storytime
Stories come to life in another way during Storytime at 577.
Throughout the summer, families have gathered on Wednesday mornings for special books from the library or 577’s collection, many of which have also appeared along the StoryWalk®. Stories are paired with songs, movement, and playful adventures around the gardens and grounds.
Summer Storytime is wrapping up with two final Wednesday mornings before continuing with monthly dates this fall. Gather with Miss Jane, 577 friends, and occasional guest readers for favorite stories, songs, movement, and playful activities.
Upcoming Storytime Dates
- Wednesday, August 19 at 10am and 11am*
- Wednesday, August 26 at 10am and 11am
- Monday, September 14 at 10am
- Monday, October 26 at 10am
*Special Weather Note for Wednesday, August 19: If weather keeps Storytime indoors, the story will take place in the Log House, followed by the activity in the Green Door Studio. Indoor sessions will be limited to the first 15 children at both 10am and 11am.
Storytime is free and open to all, with no preregistration required. It is best suited for ages 2 to 6, though siblings of all ages are welcome. Storytime takes place outdoors on the Outdoor Stage, with fall sessions moving to Virginia’s House when weather requires.
Read, Recharge & Connect
Read & Recharge: Bring Your Own Book Club began this summer as a new way for book lovers to gather at 577 without everyone needing to read the same book.
The evening begins by sharing what everyone is currently reading and chatting about favorite books before settling in for a quiet hour of uninterrupted reading. Afterward, there’s time to socialize, share recommendations, or simply keep reading if your book is too good to put down.
Hosted by Jennie from 577’s Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop, Read & Recharge is a relaxed opportunity to enjoy good books and good company in Virginia’s House.
Upcoming Read & Recharge Dates
- Sunday, August 30, 6pm to 8pm
- Sunday, September 27, 6pm to 8pm
- Sunday, October 25, 6pm to 8pm
There is no fee and no registration required. Just bring whatever you’re currently reading and find a comfortable spot.
Find Your Next Read
Looking for your next good read? You might just find it at 577. The Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop includes a selection of gently used books for children and adults, generously donated by members of the community. From nature and gardening to fiction, creativity, children’s stories, and more, the shelves are always changing as new-to-you books find their way to 577.
Choosing a gently used book gives a good story another life, keeps books in circulation and out of the waste stream, and supports a simple cycle of sharing within our community.
And now is an especially good time to browse the shelves. Now through October 31, gently used books and magazines in the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop are Buy 2, Get 2 Free!*
Pick up something new for yourself, find a story to share with someone else, or add a few more books to your TBR pile.
*Sale excludes Community Authors’ books and the 577 Foraging Guide.
The Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
Keep Turning the Pages
Whether you’re listening to a story, following one through the gardens, spending a quiet evening with your current read, or discovering a new book to take home, there are plenty of ways to make reading part of your time at 577.
Stories encourage curiosity. They help us learn about the world around us, introduce us to new ideas, give us reasons to slow down, and create opportunities to connect and share with others.
And at 577, you never know where the next story might be waiting.
